Can't pass smog
 

I have an 04 6port with a turbo catless and larger injectors. It wont pass smog...... ever. I need to find a place that could pass me if you know what I mean. I live in the Oceanside/Vista area. If you know a place that can "help" me out then PM me, don't post.

so... you want us to Publicly tell you a place that will Knowingly break the law just so you can pass smog with parts that you KNOW are not legal in CA.

yeah.... good luck with that.

Turbo and catless in Cali?

Sounds like you're screwed.

Because we ALL drive 65 mph or the posted speed limit(s)? Wait 3 seconds at stop signs? Don't ever, EVER text or talk on the phone while driving? Always, every single second we're in the car wear a seat belt? Aren't these illegal as well? What makes getting a dirty smog worse?

I've never witnessed soo much of this "Holier than thou" crap than on any other legitimate forum. Lighten up ..... america.

With all those 8's in your area, could not just borrow or maybe buy a used one to get the test done
(sorry forgot to put cat converter in there)

Federighi calm down.

Even if you actually knew the ethnicity of the people posting, including racial labels in your comments to qualify who you are talking to is against RX-8 Club rules

You are also misinterpreting what was said. No one posting in this thread has yet had that attitude. For example, I run catless. But would I post up information about a shop willing to pass me anyway? Hell no! It's a good way to get the shop shut down.


The responses above were simply indicating that it isn't smart to post up information like that. No one even made a reference to whether or not he should remain legal.

All of those misdemeanors do not equal the possible felony this guy wants help to commit.

Going to a shop and bending the rules by having all emissions tests done except one in the ecu is one thing, but paying for them to cheat the system is another.

Cali has the visual test in addition to the tailpipe and ECU scan - I meant that with a turbo, he is simply screwed, no two ways about it.

Even if he got it certified somehow, the first cop/inspector who sees the engine can follow the paperwork back to the tech, who doesn't have a leg to stand on....

No you aren't. Post Deleted

What should a turbo matter if he passes the OBD2 and visual catalyst tests?

All parts in a car have to be CARB (California Air Resources Board) certified to be used on a street car. This includes having the CARB certification number on each part. They are quite strict and the certification costs a bunch, so not many aftermarket manufacturers go through the trouble of getting their parts CARB certified. I don't know of any aftermarket turbo's that are.

Not publicly. That's why I said PM. And if you are even afraid of that then PM a number then text me. You really think I'm that ignorant?

Again I specifically said not to post the shop, just to PRIVATE message me. Posting the shop would be a terrible way to get someone shut down.

The system? See if I was a resident in another state I could pass because they don't do sniffer tests like what is done in CA. These laws are ridiculous and if everyone didn't think they were then all of the states would have the same emissions laws. It's the same way with the strict gun laws here compared to other states. State laws like that? I think it's stupid that states have different laws even though we are all in America haha.

:-(

You are free to move to another state, nobody is forcing you to live in California. If you disagree with so many of their laws then maybe you should consider a new state. If you have a really good job there that you enjoy I can understand wanting to stay, but if you do then you just have to deal with the states shit. I personally would not ever live in California because of the reasons you listed.

If you ask around I'm sure you can find someone that will pass you like you want. Doing a quick google search people said rates are anywhere from $200 to $400, I dunno how true that is though.

RE: Good Job

Establish residency in an alternate state -- I hear NV and AZ are pretty good -- Florida is a dream over here.

closest place to california in nevada is Clark county, which actually has ANNUAL smogs. there is also a visual but the turbo is a legal modification here so long as the CEL works and all the rest of the emissions on the underhood label is still in place. it still would be a bitch to smog it here and would still need to pass the tailpipe sniffer.

Pahrump is about another 1.5 hours away and has no smog.

there is zero chance of ever getting it to meet california smog standards with a turbo on the car that never came as a turbo model. any smog tech will drop the hood as soon as they see the turbo.

the sniffer test in Clark county(Las vegas) is close to california standard but a little more lenient and there is no dyno smog.

problem you will run into in california is they will check you out if you are running out of state plates and they may pull you over and check your residence and licensed state and ref you anyways. only exception is military who are stationed in california but have permanent residence in another state, you still have to pass an initial california smog test as well.

so just to understand correctly, if your car has after market turbo it would never pass California emmisions even with proper cat installed

Correct. Unless there is an aftermarket company that actually went through the CARB certification process. In general, most parts that alter the way the vehicle produces and delivers power are illegal in CA. Intakes, headers, any FI, midpipes, etc... I think cat backs might not be automatically illegal.

Individual specific components can be certified, but very few companies go through the trouble and cost.

Read up on it here: On-Road New Vehicle & Engine Certification Program

There is no sniffer test here unless it was a very recent addition. You can pass smog with a midpipe on in clark county. They just hook up to the obd2 port and if it says its good(1 emissions test can be not completed) then you pass.

Other options are living in pahrump as you said. If you have a really good friend or have family out there you can get your cell phone billed to their address and that usually works as proof of residence so you don't need smog. Maybe it is different out here but that would work in other states.

Interesting that CA Law is very similar to Germany Law.

Yeah. People in other states should be aware of their own laws too. For example here in PA, which currently has no emissions testing at all for 42 counties (well, a visual check, but nothing can actually fail you), but starting in 2013, all new cars sold must meet CA's CARB certification. Doesn't impact aftermarket as much, and now that manufacturers don't need to make different cars for CA like they once did it's not as big of a deal. But still, that's the direction they are headed...

We (PA - Chester County) definitely have an emissions test but for 1996+ vehicles it relies exclusively on OBD2 readiness tests ;)

I have to put my 1995 Geo Prizm on a dyno every year.

I must say, I have the same issue as the OP although I won't have to get my first smog until next year. I did keep all of my OEM parts but switching back will be a pain just to pass smog. I also have the misfortune of my CEL still triggering the cold air injector warning despite having a COBB ECC mod and it supposedly being masked out.

I am not looking for anyone to tell me where to cheat the smog tests but it sure is disappointing that CA is more concerned about what I have on my car vs. what comes out of my tail pipe.