I'll be moving to CA and having never lived there I'm concerned about registering my car successfuly in CA. What mods are considered illegal? Or what mods are legal? Not sure which list would be shorter :-)

I'm looking to get educated on CA laws and rules.

Thanks,
Dan

 

No modification is legal. In fact you are legally required to rid yourself of your vehicle and to purchase a bicycle instead due to the latest emission laws.

 

DITTO

 

didn't you guys hear? bicycles are not allowed anymore either because they promote flatulence!

 

ok ok, i'll give him some advice

Right now California is getting real strict on modified exhausts, I mean they've always been but it's getting worse. Tint, and no front plate tickets are a norm. Lowring isnt that bad of an issue, I havent heard of anyone getting a lowering ticket in years. SO mainly those.

 

Thanks for the reply. If I'm bringing a car in from out of state do they accept the car as-is? They can't expect someone to change the car or sell it right?

 

Also all mods must be carb certified so if they aren't then its illegal (typically for alot of stats but Cali is really big on it). Someone may correct me.

 

There's specifically a "California Emissions Equipment" that is needed. I think it's the catalytic converter that's different. Specifically, you need to pass the Tier-II standards which California is in.

 

why don't you just tell us what mods you have?

 

Anything with a CARB sticker will work.

 

if you want to register a car in-state, it has to be in compliance with laws, so yeah, they expect you to change the car to comply.

 

I'll have to research this more. Apparently out-of-state come under some different guidelines. I should be able to get my car through. Thanks to those who offered real help.

 

Well, it's only California and 3-4 other states that have the "higher" standard. California was first to do this, I think. It's a bit harder to bring in the car to Cali than other states selling to other states. Don't get me wrong, it can be done though. I called up Mazda USA and they wouldn't tell me what the difference was with a RX-8 built for Cali compared to building it for other states (probably cause they don't know either...). If you find out more, please let me know.