Commiefornia's new smog laws SUCK!
04-17-2015, 02:51 PM
#46
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My friends 550whp Audi that passes CA inspection/emissions. He used a variety of heatshields/battery covers to make everything look factory. Not sure this would help with a V8 in an I4 car, but it might give you some ideas.
Emissions mode:
Race mode:
Emissions mode:
Race mode:
04-17-2015, 04:59 PM
#47
Nordschleife Master
04-17-2015, 06:55 PM
#48
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UPDATE
Well, I installed a new OEM 2.5 bar fuel pressure regulator, "disguised" a few things and the '86 passed!
Now on to the track car.......ugh!
Now on to the track car.......ugh!
04-18-2015, 06:45 PM
#49
I watched some /DRIVE video yesterday where Matt Farah was driving some guy's 400+hp Mazdaspeed 3 around the canyons. No idea how that thing will pass... but some of ours don't have a prayer... :/
04-20-2015, 01:02 AM
#51
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Just be careful not to make any boost until you restore "normal" fuel delivery. Not a problem for me, the smog testing place is only a couple miles away.
04-24-2015, 06:04 AM
#52
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Geez, I didn't know about these new 2015 laws until now. Makes me want to give up on modding the p-car and spend all my time on the diesel Mercedes (which is exempt). Or maybe I'll just tow the 951 everywhere with the Mercedes!
05-18-2015, 12:38 PM
#53
Ok I'm gonna bump this thread and ask another question: Why is it that everybody with 951's seems to have a tough time getting these things to pass smog in CA... going to lengths of putting the car "back to stock" to pass, etc.... and then I see stuff like this:
Built 930. How the hell does this thing pass, but a 951 is a pain?
Built 930. How the hell does this thing pass, but a 951 is a pain?
05-18-2015, 12:56 PM
#54
Rainman
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there are still areas of the state where smog is not required until you go to sell the car, if you want to maintain an actual address (not PO box) and register the car there.
alternatively you can build the car entirely with CARB-legal parts (or get your parts CARB certified) but that is a pricey process.
3rd option is palm-greasing or just going to the BFE to get smogged where the guy doesn't know what a 911 is supposed to look like under the hood and the sniffer blows clean so it passes.
alternatively you can build the car entirely with CARB-legal parts (or get your parts CARB certified) but that is a pricey process.
3rd option is palm-greasing or just going to the BFE to get smogged where the guy doesn't know what a 911 is supposed to look like under the hood and the sniffer blows clean so it passes.
05-18-2015, 01:12 PM
#55
Nordschleife Master
An early 911 engine is also so easy to drop i dont think it would be out of the question to keep a spare smog legal engine and just put it in every 2 years!
05-18-2015, 01:16 PM
#56
Rennlist Member
There is, however, an interesting bill working its way through the CA legislature now that would ease the rules for 30+ year old cars. It's not a complete hall-pass, but would sure help.
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/23/c...car-smog-bill/
05-18-2015, 02:01 PM
#57
Rainman
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one thing to add, relating to the audi above...
the smog guy isn't allowed to remove any parts or disassemble anything during the smog test.
so if you have something questionable...hide it well, behind something that looks factory.
the smog guy isn't allowed to remove any parts or disassemble anything during the smog test.
so if you have something questionable...hide it well, behind something that looks factory.
05-18-2015, 11:51 PM
#58
Nordschleife Master
There is, however, an interesting bill working its way through the CA legislature now that would ease the rules for 30+ year old cars. It's not a complete hall-pass, but would sure help.
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/23/c...car-smog-bill/
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/23/c...car-smog-bill/
If a bill currently in the California State Assembly becomes law, the Golden State could become a little more friendly to classic car owners. AB 550 would allow drivers of vehicles that are at least 30 model-years old to pay a $200-fee to waive the state's smog check.
The bill's wording doesn't make it as simple as paying the money and driving off, though. Under this language, owners must still to get a vehicle that's from 1976 or newer smog checked, and if the model fails, they must make the necessary repairs. After a second unsuccessful test, the drivers could then fork over the $200 to keep the car on the road. The cash would go to the Air Quality Improvement Fund, just like a portion of present vehicle registration fees.
This proposal would offer some flexibility to California's current smog test. Owners must conduct a biennial check if the vehicle is from 1976 or newer. While the evaluation isn't necessarily a problem for modern vehicles, owners of vintages rides can have problems passing.
With AB 550 currently in the Assembly Committee on Transportation, SEMA is asking classic car fans to contact California's politicians. According to information from the legislature, the proposal was scheduled for hearings before the committee twice, but they were canceled by author the both times. You can read the bill's full text for yourself, here.
The bill's wording doesn't make it as simple as paying the money and driving off, though. Under this language, owners must still to get a vehicle that's from 1976 or newer smog checked, and if the model fails, they must make the necessary repairs. After a second unsuccessful test, the drivers could then fork over the $200 to keep the car on the road. The cash would go to the Air Quality Improvement Fund, just like a portion of present vehicle registration fees.
This proposal would offer some flexibility to California's current smog test. Owners must conduct a biennial check if the vehicle is from 1976 or newer. While the evaluation isn't necessarily a problem for modern vehicles, owners of vintages rides can have problems passing.
With AB 550 currently in the Assembly Committee on Transportation, SEMA is asking classic car fans to contact California's politicians. According to information from the legislature, the proposal was scheduled for hearings before the committee twice, but they were canceled by author the both times. You can read the bill's full text for yourself, here.
05-19-2015, 12:34 AM
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Ok I'm gonna bump this thread and ask another question: Why is it that everybody with 951's seems to have a tough time getting these things to pass smog in CA... going to lengths of putting the car "back to stock" to pass, etc.... and then I see stuff like this:
...
Built 930. How the hell does this thing pass, but a 951 is a pain?
...
Built 930. How the hell does this thing pass, but a 951 is a pain?
Most will just look under the car for a cat and if it's there, fine. Other will pull out a mirror-on-a-stick and look at the part# to confirm if it's stock. And if not, they look for the EO# stamped on the case. Wide range of possibilities in between. Heck, I gut got my wife's car smogged and it passed just fine with a spare 944 catalytic I threw on there.
I know "a guy" that'll test your car and as long as it passes the tailpipe-sniffer, everything else is irrelevant. That's how it really should be. You should be able to modify and swap any computer, engine, exhaust you want and as long as it passes the sniffer, it should be legal.
05-19-2015, 01:09 AM
#60
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It's not the laws that have changed per se, it's the enforcement.
It used to be that the techs had a bunch of leeway as long as the tail pipe numbers were OK because no one checked, now CARB is sending spies (for a better term) out to the smog testers with non-legal cars to try and catch them at it. If they're caught, the license is yanked and they're out if business. If a car that passed last time fails this time, CARB investigates the tech that passed it last time. Also, STAR certified testers aren't allowed to work on cars to make them pass like they used to be able to, it's "test only" everywhere.
SO, the difference is that now the techs are afraid to do anything but go "by the book" or suffer the wrath of the enviro *****.
It used to be that the techs had a bunch of leeway as long as the tail pipe numbers were OK because no one checked, now CARB is sending spies (for a better term) out to the smog testers with non-legal cars to try and catch them at it. If they're caught, the license is yanked and they're out if business. If a car that passed last time fails this time, CARB investigates the tech that passed it last time. Also, STAR certified testers aren't allowed to work on cars to make them pass like they used to be able to, it's "test only" everywhere.
SO, the difference is that now the techs are afraid to do anything but go "by the book" or suffer the wrath of the enviro *****.