LuigiPetrone

Hey everyone! I had a question about California smog. I'm running sam at by designs package (exhaust, headers, intercoolers, tune) . my tech was saying that programming the tune back to stock for a smog test may not work because of a code or series of numbers that is linked to your vin disappears when your car has been tuned, so when a smog station plugs in and that number is missing its an automatic fail. does anyone have any insight or dealt with this issue yet? I know i wont pass a visual because of the exhaust kit but i do have the stock exhaust just in case it comes down to that...

Third-Reef

There is no code that you are referring to. Your issues will come up from the possibility of the ready flags not being set due to a potential motorsport tune and or O2 sensor issues and then the visual inspection where they may notice the aftermarket exhaust and headers. I have a M-sport tune from Sambo and i need to swap it back to the standard stage 2 tune he made for me and switch my exhaust back to the stock one. Just got my notice, need to do this by September.

LuigiPetrone

ok... my tech was saying that there is a code associated to the vin on your car and once you tune it that code disappears and its separate from the ready codes.

techweenie

I passed my most recent smog test with a Cobb tune in place. Kinda doubt there's a way for any external device to detect a flashed ECU. Maybe there is, but I wasn't affected.

I've heard a visual inspection could be a problem, but in my case, an aftermarket exhaust was not an issue.

nbressette

Your tech is mistaken. The issue you're going to have is passing visual unless you have the original cats installed. My car passed everything but a visual test while I was running Sam's tune.

These cars are pretty old, as long as you don't have any stored codes and the emissions readiness state is ready then you'll pass the computer test a-ok.

LuigiPetrone

ok well i guess i can stop stressing out about it then! i sure hope hes wrong!

"02996ttx50

i've passed smog every time for 10 years and last 4 times with a kline from sam. you WILL pass a visual unless you're running the decat pipes and those won't fly, obviously. they ( CA star test stations ) only care about when they are going to lunch. they wont see the headers or exhaust beyond a 5 second glance. that said? "cat's" matter.

the tune doesnt matter. it's undetectable by the obd reader they hook up. all they care about is the "readiness monitors". so unless you have issues with 02 sensors or something not showing "all ready"? you're good.

while it's true they can refuse to pass you and even "flag" you for conspicuously visible aftermarket performance parts? unless you have bright yellow hoses etc, i wouldn't worry about it.

its the OBD and readiness monitors. that "count".

ms4cd

It's somewhat true, I was told newer ECU's can now display how many times they have been re-programmed (retuned). DMV can check if the manufacturer if the number matches...

Nzo

Even if thats true it doesnt make much sense, I would imagine there are any number of reasons you may need to reflash your ecu that have nothing to do with aftermarket parts.

Road King

Smog is easily passed here in California if A) The Smog tech isn't bothered by an aftermarket catted exhaust and B) All Readiness codes are active/set/ready. While my car is basically stock with an exhaust and tune, last year I had to re-install my stock exhaust as the older Kline cats were setting off cat efficiency codes and I didn't think I could talk my way thru that. I have since installed Kline's new 200 cell HJS cats and haven't seen any codes in the past 6 months.

Another friend's 996 Turbo has many mods, including bigger turbos and an exotic (but catted) Unobtanium exhaust. He passed no problem. We always check the readiness monitors with an amazon sourced hand held OBD2 code scanner, so there's no guesswork involved. Smog tech simply plugs in, checks the state of readiness, and done!

If a smog tech is unfriendly and looking to fail based on non-stock catted exhaust, that's not a path to success. It's always smarter to find and use a friendly smog shop that isn't trying to fail a car!

something like this is more than ample to scan and reset codes, as well as check for monitor state of readiness:

Drinaldis

I just passed Cali smog last week with my Markski tune in place. I did, however, swap my Markski Catted exhaust for the Stock one before I went in. Good thing too. The guy was all over it....................

LuigiPetrone

ok this is all very good information. I'm amusing there is now way that they would fail me for the intercoolers if they are out of sight, correct?

manimal

No way.

"02996ttx50

smog techs wouldn't even know to look for intercoolers. also "cat not ready" is often a bad 02 sensor even if there are no "codes" showing.

i had a bad "pre" sensor and it was driving me nuts until isolated.. as the kline w/200 cats have always passed no problems.

LuigiPetrone

good info. thank you so much