im a smog technician
ask me any questions guys
I'm here to help with un answered questions

 

if thats the case can you tell us what exactly is going to be looked at with the new program when the obd-II is hooked up?

 

I just smogged my MINI last Friday and the guy said that it's not until March or so will the program be fully rolled out. He put my car on the rollers and did the sniffer as usual.

 

I suppose that is logical. The new law wouldn't be written in a manner where every existing smog station was out of business on 1/1/13. They probably have some lead time to learn how to use the new software and get the necessary equipment, a laptop and cables. Until then they can use their existing equipment and it will be appropriate for your smog and registration needs.

So the common question in these threads is, where are the 'new' stations. I know the CA site has the details on how to become or apply to be a new station, but I can't find a listing of available stations. That would be a useful list for our thread.

 

If we get a list going, I'll update the original post to include it so it will be on the first page and readily accessible.

 

Thought I'd chip in here with my recent experience. I have various mods, but the most important two being S2 cams and a Helix HFC. I went in for a test and failed spectacularly, logging over 1000HC @ idle, and just tad bit over @2500rpms. I presume ODBII cannot report on the HC count, so they must have still been using the sniffer. I'm planning on sourcing a stock cat, and doing a conversion to E85. These two combined should take care of smog for many following years.

It's worth noting that my smog read out had this line "Reason for test: High Emitter Profile". So it would seem that the Evo and likewise other sports cars are probably being targeted more as they get older and older.

 

I think it's your highflow cat. My Evo is tuned with intake/exhaust/cams. I swapped in a stock cat and removed the o2 spacer defouler. I kept the same tune too (originally tuned by Bryan@GST and then touched up by Sean@FFTEC). It passed with numbers cleaner than stock.

TL;DR
Get a stock cat.

 

i have a question for you guys that have a y splitter connected to your car. have you gotten it smoged with it hooked up? also can the ecu handle 2 things connected in it at one time? i currently was planning on hard wiring/mounting a splitter. my idea was to have one end of the splitter where the stock location is while i have the other run to my glove box.

the reasoning i have a scan gaugeII and i also hook up for tuning. call me lazy or w/e else you want but i wanted to be able to leave my scan gauge plugged in and be able to plug in my tactrix cable when needed without having to unplug things.

 

Well everyone.. I posted a while ago about my BS ticket I got from the CHP on their new program where they target smog violaters.. So about 4 months later after going to court, cutting a deal with the judge and dealing with smog ref appointments I have finally been to the referee today. My car passed smog of course but I failed the sound test from my inadequate muffler ticket. Now for the good part.. My exhaust read 93dB at 4700RPM... PASS. Now you ask why did I fail? Because the silencer on my Megan exhaust is removable. Yes people, although your exhaust reads below 95db at the legal limit with the silencer as long as it is removable you fail. The tech said if I went and had a couple tac welds put on it he would pass it. To end this story, California sucks.
Oh and another thing.. The actual smog test and certificate was $8.25. The sound test would have been $108 if I passed.

 

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum. Mod move if necessary.

I have a 2012 X and was wondering if I will be required to do a smog test when I register my Vehicle in CA? If so, can I pass smog test with my current mods

Tuned to 93 (but will be tuned for 91 once arrived)
ETS Intake, TP, CBE and HP MBC?

If not, what will I need to pass? Will replacing the ETS TP with oem cat be enough?

 

Are you coming for military or other? For sure you will have to for military and it depends on we're you go.. The CAT HAS'T to be on or automatic fail. IV been to a few different places and every time each shop looked for something different besides the cat. The first one was my 02 housing, second one was injectors, 3rd one was my intercooler. So different places look for different things but the cat is a must.

 

Any and every car brought to CA by a private party will face the rollers AFAIK.

Prepare your anus.

Oh, and welcome to CA!

 

Lol, what do you mean by rollers AFAIK?

I'll be getting stationed in San Diego. So even though the car is practically new, I'll have to get smog done?

 

Yeah, CA wants to ensure that once the car is here, it checks out. I would suggest checking the website for specifics.

Rollers = dyno used while smogging the car.

 

damn those strict rules. So a car must be able to pass the sniff test to the tail pipes on the rollers? and the obd scan + visual inspection? makes it kind of tuff. but it can be done.