3.0L turbo: Will I be able to register and pass inspection in CA?
06-09-2016, 04:02 PM
#16
RL Community Team
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Ya, most people swap on stock parts every 2 years.
The part that really irks me is that a car can pass the emissions test (the whole POINT of a SMOG check) but if you have aftermarket (more efficient, made in USA, etc) parts they will fail you. Brilliant.
Like Joseph said, you can get a PO box before you move and transfer the car's address there. Then keep your NY plates. Just don't drive the car too often.
The part that really irks me is that a car can pass the emissions test (the whole POINT of a SMOG check) but if you have aftermarket (more efficient, made in USA, etc) parts they will fail you. Brilliant.
Like Joseph said, you can get a PO box before you move and transfer the car's address there. Then keep your NY plates. Just don't drive the car too often.
06-09-2016, 04:10 PM
#17
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Thread Starter
If you can find an easy-going smog guy you have a chance.
But those are the rules...
Most people just keep stock stuff around to throw on every 2 years for testing.
You don't need the stock DME to pass but its the easiest way. If you can re-tune your ECU you should be able to pass smog.
But the real killer is the visual inspection.
But those are the rules...
Most people just keep stock stuff around to throw on every 2 years for testing.
You don't need the stock DME to pass but its the easiest way. If you can re-tune your ECU you should be able to pass smog.
But the real killer is the visual inspection.
It's the visual that will be the deal breaker. Indiviudal coil packs neatly arranged on the cam tower look and work awesome. But as far from stock as you can get...
Out of state registration could work. I drive it very rarely these days (startup company and 3.5 year old kid = no time) so maybe it won't be a problem. Car tends to stand out so a little hard to fly under the radar.
I planned to keep this car forever. Can I get it reclassified as a coffin?
06-09-2016, 04:49 PM
#19
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One rule that may help is that the car is smogged based standards of its registered location, not the location of the owner. If it's registered in a non-enhanced area, NOx is not tested and you can actually test with a hollowed-out cat and pass. A lot of those out-in-the-boonies smog-stations are also not as technically savvy and won't bat too many eyes at the car since they've most likely never seen one before.
The other rule in your favour is the smog-tech cannot do any dis-assembly for their visual inspections. So EVAP canister is not verified other than the hose-pinch test. And if you've got your engine covered like this, they can't peek under the cover to verify you've got all OEM parts installed.
The other rule in your favour is the smog-tech cannot do any dis-assembly for their visual inspections. So EVAP canister is not verified other than the hose-pinch test. And if you've got your engine covered like this, they can't peek under the cover to verify you've got all OEM parts installed.
06-09-2016, 05:02 PM
#20
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Never thought I'd think "hey, I want my engine covered up completely" until this move to CA...
Mountain View. I'll look it up but I'm guess it's not a non-enhanced area.
Mountain View. I'll look it up but I'm guess it's not a non-enhanced area.
06-09-2016, 09:36 PM
#22
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06-15-2016, 01:51 AM
#29
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Not being facetious here; real estate in Wyoming is absurdly cheap. Think of it as an "anchor property" for your car.
06-15-2016, 03:32 AM
#30
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OT a bit...
Wait... A car can no longer be required to go to a STAR station if it passes well?
A buddy of mine tried to pass his 83 Toyota Truck with an absent EGR pump (don't ask - I don't know how that happened) and leaking gas cap. Needless to say, it was labled a GROSS POLLUTER
and denied re-registration. My friend gave up on it and moved on, but can't bear to send it to the wreckers or sell it to someone who won't make use of it, and has offered it to me for an all but negligible price. I figured the STAR testing would be mandatory for eternity (because the particulars of CA law make little enough sense, why would this policy...). Any chance it can go back to being tested biannually and at any smog shop?
Originally Posted by: V2Rocket
I have done regular and STAR over the years.
After my most recent STAR test which I easily passed, I looked up my plates on the BAR site and it actually says "STAR testing not required" for the next time around in 2018.
I have done regular and STAR over the years.
After my most recent STAR test which I easily passed, I looked up my plates on the BAR site and it actually says "STAR testing not required" for the next time around in 2018.
A buddy of mine tried to pass his 83 Toyota Truck with an absent EGR pump (don't ask - I don't know how that happened) and leaking gas cap. Needless to say, it was labled a GROSS POLLUTER
and denied re-registration. My friend gave up on it and moved on, but can't bear to send it to the wreckers or sell it to someone who won't make use of it, and has offered it to me for an all but negligible price. I figured the STAR testing would be mandatory for eternity (because the particulars of CA law make little enough sense, why would this policy...). Any chance it can go back to being tested biannually and at any smog shop?