GEN 2 Spd downpipes carb CA

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Traffic22

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There is no more sniff test in CA - they literally just hook up to the OBD port and if readiness is good, car passes.
Partially true. They do a visual as well. Check to make sure cats are there, gas cap, or proper valve in the systems without caps, they make sure pvc is hooked up.

For example, if you have a catch can, they won’t even do the OBD test.

It’s not just plug and go.

They don’t even hook up to the OBD if you don’t pass visual.


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nikhsub1

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Partially true. They do a visual as well. Check to make sure cats are there, gas cap, or proper valve in the systems without caps, they make sure pvc is hooked up.

For example, if you have a catch can, they won’t even do the OBD test.

It’s not just plug and go.

They don’t even hook up to the OBD if you don’t pass visual.


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Yes they are but most of these places are either lazy or idiots or don't care. Not sure how one of these guys would know an oem cat from an aftermarket, there are no markings on them, plus they would have to remove the skid plates to see. Anyway, technically you are correct - you can always ask around if someone knows 'a guy' that kinda looks the other way too.
 

jimmyjamm

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Sounds to me like you need to make a trip/vacation to Oregon to visit SPD, or Nevada, or Arizona...what happens outside CA stays outside CA.
 

Traffic22

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Well shoot I have a catch can

Yes it's a horrendous pain in the A** to have to take off and put back on. Thankfully not that often. Funny thing is, you could make an argument it is making the environment cleaner by not burning all that crap back into it.

Yes they are but most of these places are either lazy or idiots or don't care. Not sure how one of these guys would know an oem cat from an aftermarket, there are no markings on them, plus they would have to remove the skid plates to see. Anyway, technically you are correct - you can always ask around if someone knows 'a guy' that kinda looks the other way too.

I agree 100%. Not sure how they would or would not know OEM from aftermarket. And I know they are not removing skid plate.

Ca just needs to take a more common sense approach.
 

nikhsub1

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Yes it's a horrendous pain in the A** to have to take off and put back on. Thankfully not that often. Funny thing is, you could make an argument it is making the environment cleaner by not burning all that crap back into it.



I agree 100%. Not sure how they would or would not know OEM from aftermarket. And I know they are not removing skid plate.

Ca just needs to take a more common sense approach.
Exactly. You would think that the only thing that actually should matter is what is coming out of the tailpipe. As in, no one should give a shit what is on your car so long as the exhaust is 'clean enough'. They have gone the complete opposite of that, making it WAY easier to cheat the system as there is no exhaust test just OBD, visual and that's it.
 

FordTechOne

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Yes they are but most of these places are either lazy or idiots or don't care. Not sure how one of these guys would know an oem cat from an aftermarket, there are no markings on them, plus they would have to remove the skid plates to see. Anyway, technically you are correct - you can always ask around if someone knows 'a guy' that kinda looks the other way too.

Interestingly enough many of them care quite a lot, because the more vehicles they fail, the more money they make. They charge you for the inspection (fail) and then charge you again for the re-inspection.

When I lived in CA I had a Smog station fail me for a CARB legal K&N intake. They knew it was CARB legal, but claimed that without the CARB sticker, I was in violation. That was $50 in their pocket. Luckily K&N's headquarters was nearby, so I was able to procure a sticker relatively easily and at no cost.

If they see any vehicle roll in that looks like it may have modifications, you can bet they'll take the 5 mins to drop that skidplate and inspect it thoroughly. It's a crooked business, and CA is a crooked state.
 

Traffic22

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Interestingly enough many of them care quite a lot, because the more vehicles they fail, the more money they make. They charge you for the inspection (fail) and then charge you again for the re-inspection.

When I lived in CA I had a Smog station fail me for a CARB legal K&N intake. They knew it was CARB legal, but claimed that without the CARB sticker, I was in violation. That was $50 in their pocket. Luckily K&N's headquarters was nearby, so I was able to procure a sticker relatively easily and at no cost.

If they see any vehicle roll in that looks like it may have modifications, you can bet they'll take the 5 mins to drop that skidplate and inspect it thoroughly. It's a crooked business, and CA is a crooked state.


I don't disagree a lot of the guys doing it are crooked for sure. Most of the reputable places (at least in the area where I live) will give you a free retest. If you strike out twice, then you pay for a third test.

I imported a 49 state car a few years back, 1988 Mustang GT, which is legal to do. I went to a local guy in advance, had a long conversation with him, and he was super helpful with giving guidance.

Interestingly, I also spoke to one of the Referee's by phone and played 20 questions with him. He was very helpful, and seemed interested in helping me make sure I could pass.

I think a lot of it has to do with who you are, how you act, the kind of car you have, and who you deal with. It shouldn't be that way, the rules should be the rules, but I think there are a lot of factors that work for or against you in any given situation.

In reference to the above theoretical discussion about noticing or not noticing an aftermarket down pipe, who's to say. Probably could take the car to 10 different places, don't act sketchy or suspicious, be nice, chat the guy up, and walk away with a pass 9/10. Same scenario with a "red flag," car like a lowered civic, sti, or mustang, probably not. But that is really just a guess with no evidence to back it up.
 

FordTechOne

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I don't disagree a lot of the guys doing it are crooked for sure. Most of the reputable places (at least in the area where I live) will give you a free retest. If you strike out twice, then you pay for a third test.

I imported a 49 state car a few years back, 1988 Mustang GT, which is legal to do. I went to a local guy in advance, had a long conversation with him, and he was super helpful with giving guidance.

Interestingly, I also spoke to one of the Referee's by phone and played 20 questions with him. He was very helpful, and seemed interested in helping me make sure I could pass.

I think a lot of it has to do with who you are, how you act, the kind of car you have, and who you deal with. It shouldn't be that way, the rules should be the rules, but I think there are a lot of factors that work for or against you in any given situation.

In reference to the above theoretical discussion about noticing or not noticing an aftermarket down pipe, who's to say. Probably could take the car to 10 different places, don't act sketchy or suspicious, be nice, chat the guy up, and walk away with a pass 9/10. Same scenario with a "red flag," car like a lowered civic, sti, or mustang, probably not. But that is really just a guess with no evidence to back it up.

I hear you. I made the mistake of just going to the closest "SMOG only" station without doing any research before hand. I didn't make that mistake again.
 
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