How to own a DSM in California?

[slipstream808]

We hear the horror stories all the time. I'd imagine a lot of car lovers think that unless its got classic plates or something there is no way to own a modded car in that great golden state. Sure there are CARB legal parts, but not for our cars.

So what do all you guys who live in California do to get by with your DSM? How do you keep from getting pulled over? If you do, how do you keep from getting impounded? And how do you keep from failing smog emissions? In any case, here's to you for doin' it!

 

[norcal_drifter]

cash and hook ups are all we need!

 

[leet]

I didn't drive like a fiend in cities and only sped a little bit on the highways.

Other than that, cat convertor goes on for smog, fake cat convertor goes on for every other day. BOV is recirculated.

EDIT: Born in raised in CA. Will be back soon!

 

[dsmtnr]

...In any case, here's to you for doin' it!

+1, props to you California guys.

 

[4g63tc]

Actually, there are CARB legal parts.
Exceptions to Smog Laws, IE: if it came with a factory Intercooler, an after market one is OK to replace.
GSX's have it easier than GST's no dyno smogging for them, 95's are OBD2 exempt.

As for getting Pulled over, that's entirely up to you. the Vehicle code book, just has a few rules that get us pulled over.

No front Plate.
Too Low
Headlights too low, things hanging below the bottom of rim.
Exhaust, Keep it quiet, don't get pulled over

It's not as bad as you think, But going to extremes does draw attention, most smog techs don't even know what they're looking at.

 

[afoster98GSX]

My hat is of to youwho fight the battle I live in mi and would not like all the refs in california.

 

[-red97rum-]

cash and hook ups are all we need!

Exactly right on that one, otherwise we can't get around emissions testing for shit. As far as the cops go, pretty much as long as you don't drive like a jack ass on the street, your car's not obnoxiously F&F with so many stickers and blinking lights you'd mistake it for a casino - you'll be fine. I think it's a little easier for 1G's to get away with stuff because cops usually don't even look twice at us.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

Just stay low-key, don't do anything stupid and like everyone said....cash and hook-ups. I know up north they are MUCH MUCH stricter than where I live.

 

[TurboDSM90]

Dont drive like a ricer blowing off and speeding everywhere, just cruise it on the street. I usually tune or floor it at night in an industrial area where there is nobody to injure but myself. Also, have a smog hook that doesnt get blown up and used all the time.

When you get pulled over, prepare for the worst. But be polite and honest. I straight up tell them its a "track car", I just wanted to get some coffee, or gas, etc.

Here is how I look at it. If cops start getting complaints of some green and black car with hoosier tires driving like an ass hole and running red lights, they WILL find you. They WONT be happy especially if a family member of theirs seen this car breaking the law and endangering the public or their family.

I live in a small town, and if I am gonna mess around its gonna be a couple miles away in a "safe" spot.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

Dont drive like a ricer blowing off and speeding everywhere, just cruise it on the street. I usually tune or floor it at night in an industrial area where there is nobody to injure but myself. Also, have a smog hook that doesnt get blown up and used all the time.

When you get pulled over, prepare for the worst. But be polite and honest. I straight up tell them its a "track car", I just wanted to get some coffee, or gas, etc.

Here is how I look at it. If cops start getting complaints of some green and black car with hoosier tires driving like an ass hole and running red lights, they WILL find you. They WONT be happy especially if a family member of theirs seen this car breaking the law and endangering the public or their family.

I live in a small town, and if I am gonna mess around its gonna be a couple miles away.

Exactly, go out on a back road where there is no one to harm but yourself, your car, and a field. That is if you MUST smash on your car. Always remember too, things that make your car stand out like stickers, flashy mods, bright things etc chances are your going to get rolled.

And question about saying if it is a track car, what if you have your tags and registration etc? They're going to say "if it is indeed a track car, how did you get the tags etc". Atleast I would

 

[TurboDSM90]

Im working on getting the E85 conversion accepted by california officer, it will make it a flex fuel vehicle and makes california a happier place to live

 

[4G63_Attack]

I completely agree with everyone here don't drive like you just have stolen the vehicle. Couple of nights ago I had a cop right behind me on a intersection. When the light changed I took off nice and slow, the cop didn't not hit his lights or flash me to pull over. And on top of that I have a full 3 inch exhaust.

 

[GsxEcutioner]

Ted is right on the money, smog hooks, cash, and a goo head when driving is all you need.

 

[Reefman]

Either drive a 1g or a galant vr-4. 2g's get a little more attention, but for the most part of San Diego I think the cops like to pick on the evo's.

 

[slipstream808]

Good info. I'm not going there myself. But I'm sure a lot of people out there would like to read this general info as a starting point. No one likes to have to throw away their very hard work on something they love.

 

[boosting_laser]

A few of us just got fed up with being paranoid & looking over our shoulder (me) & just dd a second car. But when I do dare to drive the dsm, I'll have someone follow behind as my blocker

 

[SOADweskey]

I only recently left Ca. I got buy by not driving crazy, I always have a front plate, I run the Espellier exhaust which does carry a CARB exemption number, and for the few times my hood has been popped I got away by not having very much flashy stuff under the hood. (see picture below). Also I'm 30 and white so age and racial profiling worked in my favor.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

As much black as possible and recirculated BOV.

 

[FearlessNick]

I got a buddy with a integera, and he said he always gets pulled over when he goes to Cali to see family. But they don't do anything because that car is registered in a different state. I'm not too sure on this though.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

I will only stick with a stock frame turbo out here, the highway patrol is getting special training to be able to tell mods etc now. Plus we have a older Dodge Viper patrol car to help cut down all the street racing, nothing gets away from it unless your pushing mad power and can drive and out run the radio and 500hp.

 

[Dhan]

Jeez, what a bunch of Gestapos out there. I used to go out to San Jose to visit friends and I remember all their emissions horror stories. And that was ten years ago.

And a Viper police car? I wonder how they decide who gets to drive that.

 

[james3340]

its goin to be hard to tell a difference in mods i mean they would have to have numbers off of some turbos to tell if they came on the car or not,

 

[Indian]

Flat black is your friend...plus half the cops dont know what they are looking at.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

Jeez, what a bunch of Gestapos out there. I used to go out to San Jose to visit friends and I remember all their emissions horror stories. And that was ten years ago.

And a Viper police car? I wonder how they decide who gets to drive that.

I'm sure its a highly trained and experience driver.. At first it was a "DARE" car for show along with a H2 hummer, then the new Chargers came out and they replaced it with a orange SRT8 Charger and now its a highway patrol unit. You hardly see it around, mainly because I think it is a special task force kinda car. But it is one of these model Vipers, all black with a white roof.
http://www.wallpaperpimper.com/wall...per/Dodge-Viper-GTS-1-J2IZBO6SP9-1024x768.jpg

 

[lastshark08]

Really a viper police car? That just seems down right unfair. I thought the chargers were bad. Good luck out ther guys and gals.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

Really a viper police car? That just seems down right unfair. I thought the chargers were bad. Good luck out ther guys and gals.

I heard Utah has STI's