Passed CA Emissions Test Today!

[c5chris]

It's that time again, I know all of us dread it - especially the Cali Crew.

I took off a little early from work and drove around, made sure the stock cat is nice and warm. I then nervously drove into the SMOG TEST ONLY center. The technician came up (I have a car in front of me) and gave me a quote - $49.99 for the test, 8.95 for the certificate, and the electronic transmission is free. Like a typical DSMer looking to save a buck, I whipped up my Penny Saver and asked if he takes coupons and match them. He said yes so I ripped him the coupon that says $7.95 test + certificate and ET extra. He frowned and said he will only give me 50% off, plus the $8.95 certificate. I was gonna argue and insist on my $7.95 smog but I decided not to and signed the Green Machine's (my GSX) life away on the dotted line. He said "AWD right?" I said "YES!" and was very surprised that actually somebody knows what they are doing.

He told me to wait inside at their lounge. I went in and hey, free sodas to customers. I got cozy and watched the guy (Asian, 50+ years) go through the visual test meticulously. He took notes and checked the form - not good.

OK, I got a K&N cone filter, a Greddy S and a Profec B boost solenoid in the bay. I got lazy and decided not to revert to stock BOV and boost solenoid.

He ran the test and walked towards me and said Congratulations you passed the test. AWESOME!!!! I paid my $33.20 total and left.

I looked at my old smog certificate where I failed due to the ECU and this one, my car actually has lower numbers now than 2 years ago. Weird. What's even weirder is that at 2450 RPM, it emits less hydrocarbons than in idle. In the certificate, it says the reason for test only requirement is that the car is a High Emitter. THAT SUCKS!!!

With that TSB Mitsubishi had issued, I wonder how many DSM owners are actually affected, esp in CA with stricter emission laws. Any of you guys went to a SMOG CHECK instead of a TEST ONLY center? Test Centers are worse but today I actually am relieved.

....and I did not even have to run to Satan to have my monitors reset. They wanted $130 for this one time deal.

 

[Defiant]

Waitaminute... you got charged for the electronic transmission? The goddamned machine does that anyway. I don't think you can keep it from doing it.

 

[c5chris]

Waitaminute... you got charged for the electronic transmission? The goddamned machine does that anyway. I don't think you can keep it from doing it.

No I was not, I know that it is done automatically. Some small-time smog shops charge to do that but I went to a big facility. I was charged $25 for smog test and $8.95 for certificate.

Only real cost to me was a 99 GSX ECU. But it paid for itself alread. For those who are affected by Mitsubishi's goof-off, replace your ECU and be done with it.

 

[tighty]

I just had to get my GST smogged a few months back at a Test Only. I took it to a guy my dad knew to get it pre-tested first though. I think Defiant is right also about it sending automatically...the technicians can't really stop it... California smog laws suck though, I basically reverted everything to stock except for my lower intercooler pipe when I went to the pre-test, and the guy didn't notice it and I pointed it out to him and said if they would give me trouble for it at the test only and he said yeah, so I dunno.

What is exactly legal to change?

 

[tstkl]

i dont understand how they can give you trouble if it passes the test, thats like failing you on a test cuz you used pen instead of pencil or something...it doesnt make sense to me....(then again i havent had to deal with smog yet, and wont until next year...)

 

[c5chris]

Just FYI, tskl:

California has these crazy laws governing emissions. It's not just enough that you pass the sniffer, you need to have parts approved by the California Air Rating Board (CARB). These "parts" are cerified by the agency of bureaucrats, and they believe that these "parts" will emit less smog than those without their stamp of approval. Thus, you have big name companies that have CARB excempt products (AEM, K&N, HKS, Greddy) and the little no-name-simple-joe or your home depot performance parts are illegal.

The Visual part of the test is the scariest one, then the sniffer test, then the Functional (OBDII) test. The first time I smogged, I was sent to a TEST ONLY site, and they are harder to pass. Vehicles classified as Gross Polluters, High Emitters and unlucky owners get assigned to these places. My then stock car failed the FUNCTIONAL TEST due to a bad ECU that came from Mitsubishi. I asked Satan for help and they said no dice. I bought a 99 GST ECU and it helped me pass.

This year. I got myself a 99 GSX ECU and it passed. My old 98 ECU will never pass this test so it might as well be a $200 paper weight.

For your car to pass the CA Smog Test:

Visual Test - Car need to be all stock. I had my K&N Intake w/ sticker; my Greddy S BOV, Greddy Profec B Spec 2 Boost Controller. I took off my 3" exhaust and bolted my stocker

You need to pass the Sniffer (waayyyy stricter than any place else)

You need to pass the Functional Test (OBDII compliance test) - no CEL, smog monitors readiness (96-98 ECUs fail this), etc,

 

[Defiant]

you need to have parts approved by the California Air Rating Board (CARB).

California Air Resources Board

These "parts" are cerified by the agency of bureaucrats, and they believe that these "parts" will emit less smog than those without their stamp of approval. Thus, you have big name companies that have CARB excempt products (AEM, K&N, HKS, Greddy) and the little no-name-simple-joe or your home depot performance parts are illegal.

Even better than that- they have to be approved for the specific car. The approved intake for the Eclipse is often illegal on the Talon, because the manufacturer didn't see economic sense in re-doing the certification horseshit for the lower-production numbers. And no, proving to the State that it's the same engine isn't possible.

For your car to pass the CA Smog Test:

Visual Test - Car need to be all stock. I had my K&N Intake w/ sticker; my Greddy S BOV, Greddy Profec B Spec 2 Boost Controller. I took off my 3" exhaust and bolted my stocker

You need to pass the Sniffer (waayyyy stricter than any place else)

You need to pass the Functional Test (OBDII compliance test) - no CEL, smog monitors readiness (96-98 ECUs fail this), etc,

There's even a test for the gas cap.

 

[DSM MAN]

So even if you passed everything with flying colors, but had a part that was CARB they would fail you? If so .

 

[repoofrs]

Here in NY, we have places we could go that will "Pass" us if we think we won't pass on our own. Costs a little more, but worth it in the end. Does Cali not have "friendly" inspectors anywhere? Does all of Cali have to do the smog test? How ofthen do you have to get this test done? I ask cause I am contemplating moving to Cali next month and bringing my car with me, but it is modded to hell. 98 GSX with a 6 bolt built engine, FMIC with short route piping, AGP 60 trim, 3" Apexi N1 with no cat etc. What are the penalties of driving the car when it has failed?

 

[Defiant]

Here in NY, we have places we could go that will "Pass" us if we think we won't pass on our own. Costs a little more, but worth it in the end. Does Cali not have "friendly" inspectors anywhere?

It's tough to find a stranger who'll risk a $30,000 fine for strangers, as well as losing their livlihood.

Does all of Cali have to do the smog test?

Yup.

How ofthen do you have to get this test done?

I think the bi-annual is now statewide, but I'm too lazy to look it up.

I ask cause I am contemplating moving to Cali next month and bringing my car with me, but it is modded to hell.

Sell it there.

98 GSX with a 6 bolt built engine, FMIC with short route piping, AGP 60 trim, 3" Apexi N1 with no cat etc. What are the penalties of driving the car when it has failed?

Impound. Same as for driving a modified car on the street and getting caught.

 

[c5chris]

Repoofrs,

Driving without a catalytic converter will certainly impound your car AND will subject you to severe fines. Your 6 bolt will never pass Cali inspection either since you mated an older engine into a newer car.