Tom M'Guinn

Any update on getting a BAR sticker for this car?

pormgb

Not yet, I just got all the readiness indicators to go green and have a decent tune, I also go the FIPK and placed the sticker on the upper radiator support.

I am hoping to get the inspection done before Christmas, the DMV only book appointments a week out so I have to 100% ready.

pormgb

After 2 trips to the BAR, the car finally passed. Heading to the DMV tomorrow to pickup my plates

Tom M'Guinn

That's great news. More pictures? What were the hang ups with the BAR stickers? Any tips for those who might follow in your footsteps and shoot for a BAR sticker?

pormgb

t took me two trips to the referee, the first trip I failed on the following items;

1. MDS Coils, not CARB approved
2. Remove catch cans, thes do not represent the original Camaro PCV system
3. Remove dual wide band O2 sensors, only 4 O2 sensors are allowed, no additional items must be added to the exhaust system pre cats
4. I also had two O2 sensor adapters on the post cat sensors, I had to remove them to pass

The key is to have everything stock as per the original motor, the referee really checks the car. He basically gets a picture of the motor you claim to have and its wiring harness. All smog items are checked, any item that is not stock must have a CARB EO number. He wasn't concerned about the adjustments I made to fit the cats, he had a picture of the Camaro exhaust system. You also need to have a check engine light in a visible location, the first time around he missed the light, I had to show him where it was located.

The only sensor I did not install was a fuel tank level sensor, I used a resistor to tell the PCM how much gas is in the tank (needed to get readiness indicators to go green). By the way, the referee asked me where the fuel tank pressure sensor was located, I installed one in the fuel tank and told him where to find it. I also took a photo of the Camaro carbon canister installed in the location of the original canister, the wheel well cover hides the canister.

I was really concerned about my cam (226,229 575,585 116 LSA), according to many LS1 owners, this cam would not pass smog, the car passed the sniffer test well within specs. Apparently, if you have an overlap between -4 and -6 you will be able to pass smog, anything above will fail.

The referee also informed me that there will be new laws in CA regarding reflasing PCMs, they will be getting new software to detect aftermarket PCM software and be able to detect if PCM smog options are disabled to get the readiness indicators to go green.

docwyte

How'd you install all the Camaro fuel evap stuff?

V2Rocket

did you see if the ref was digging around looking for casting numbers?

pormgb

That was quite easy, the carbon canister connects to the vent tube behind the motor on the firewall, and the only other EVAP piece that's not on the motor is the fuel tank pressure sensor.

The purge valve sits in its stock place (lh side by the intake manifold) and connects to the intake manifold and carbon canister.

The canister purge solenoid valve is installed with the carbon canister in the stock 944 location. An EVAP cycle requires signals from the fuel pressure and fuel level sensors.

pormgb

No, he did not read any engine or block or head numbers.

On my first trip, he asked me what car the motor came from, I stated a 2002 LS1 Camaro and he went with that. The referee may have have also read the VIN, my PCM has a VIN from a 2002 manual LS1 Camaro. He also asked me many times did I get all the pieces from the same car (motor, PCM, harness, sensors, cats), this seems to be one of the sticky points for certification.

2002 is an important year for the motor, 2002 and up Camaros LS1s had no EGR and that saves allot of work.

docwyte

Cool. I've gotten my car BAR'd out here in Colorado, but it's not as intensive as Cali. They also don't have the software yet to check if the readiness monitors are forced "Ok" yet. Which is a good thing...

User 52121

Interesting, and congrats.

Moving to CA is in my future at some point - and it sounds like I'd probably have better luck getting my 951 to pass smog out there with an LS swap than with the 2.5L w/M-Tune, etc.

V2Rocket

Omni,
If you come out here I know someone who might want your 951 engine

User 52121

Probably won't be for a few years yet... but I'll keep you in mind.

pormgb

That's actually quite true!

An LS6 will produce 405hp with no mods and is a pretty simple motor, and a freshly built LSx with good cats will run really clean.
My motor even with a large cam and a bad tune; passed the sniffer test with flying colors.

mc05duck

Awesome!

Would you ever sell this car? Lol, keep me in mind if you want to.

What kind of power are you putting to your wheels? Did you say 405?