What's the low down on CARB emissions testing? How often do you have to have your car tested? How do they do it? Where do they do it in LA? What happens if you fail? Do these smog check places I see give a good indication of how you will do on CARB tests? Does anyone have a high-flow cat that passed (and what model, as the CZ says it will pass)?

Basically, back home, all you have to have is a decent muffler. So, all this emissions testing stuff is a new animal to me, and I want to know what / when to expect all this. I also want to get a high-flow cat at some point, and have questions about what to expect there (esp. if it DOESN'T pass).

If there is a web site that covers this, I'd appreciate a link. If there is another post that I didn't find on this subject, I'd appreciate a link. If you can personally answer any of these questions quicker, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

You won't have to worry about it with the '8 until it's 4 model-years old... No smog testing until then.

By that time, who knows how strict or difficult the emissions tests will be to pass.

In my experience, making sure the car is tuned, has a clean airfilter and new plugs helps a lot. My FD passed no worries with a hi-flow cat so I think if the engine is running OK and the other emissions equipment (airpump, etc) are working, then having a hi-flow cat is no probs.

See also:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm