Rant: CA SMOG (long)

mtb9192

New member
Re: Rant: CA SMOG (long)

gjp said:
it has to be smogged by sunday or I cant take it on the streets. It also has to go to a smog only shop. They are more strict as to what will pass. Now it needs work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I am thinking sell and get a STI or srt-8 charger.

You have read my threads on another post about being "A Gross Polluter in CA" and what it took me to pass. What is it with CA and their treatment with turbocharged engines? I mean if CA really wants to clean up the air? Then everything should have to be turbocharged. It is the way to go and get the cleanest possible air out the tailpipe. I mean "HELLO" anybody home? Everyone knows that running a turbo reburns the exhaust befor dumping it out the pipe. If CA. understands this concept? They are sure being A-holes about it? Cost me $1100 to get my Sy smog legal for another 2 years in Kaleefornia home of the Arnoldator
 

mtb9192

New member
Re: Rant: CA SMOG (long)

dgoodhue said:
I am dreading MA smog, I just hope I am not doing a stock turbo/IC swap to appease them. Good luck. If he has Vortec head his EGR is not going to be operational. If they are going to test the EGR by opening it at idle I have some ideas on how to get around that.


In CA they check for everything, no part under the hood is left unchecked. Non operational or missing EGR is an automatic "Fail visual inspection" in this state.
 

ty166

Donating Member
Re: Rant: CA SMOG (long)

It's just a six said:
Cover up or unplug bulb "check engine" light.


Ask the tech if it would be OK for you to take your Sy back to your mechanic to lower the idle & then you will bring it right back.
would they see the check engine light not on with key in on position and fail it anyway ?

dont know about cali but in illinois if you leave the test station for any reason you must retake the whole test over , i failed for a bad gas cap once and went back ten minutes later and they made me retest because i "failed" last time for the cap.
 

gjp

another post whore
Re: Rant: CA SMOG (long)

I think the 2nd guy thought the turbo was aftermarket. He freaked out when he saw my truck and pulled it out quick. egr, pcv...all that is stock. Cat is new and stock style. I figure with a new top end the truck should pass? I had to be close but with the open loop chip in I had a feeling it was not. But I had to try before the 1st so I can get another extension on my plates. I have a voltage issue I have to fix and I will move my alky tank to where my abs was so I can run a air box on the passanger side. Friend works at taps plastics and is going to make me a box or I can look for a KB box here.
 

4C FED

Absolutum Dominium
Re: Rant: CA SMOG (long)

Gary,
You also need to make sure that the hose from the drivers side valve cover runs to the air-box as well as the PCV hose from the passenger side valve cover. K&N breathers are a no-no if you have them.

As for the EGR, it's best to have everything at least hooked up to make it look like it's functional. I know of several people who have said that when thier trucks were SMOG'ed they either didn't test it or didn't fail it for not stumbling when it was tested.

Also may be a good idea to remove the alky injection since it's not CARB certified.
 

gjp

another post whore
Re: Rant: CA SMOG (long)

This is going to be a while. I have to fix my voltage problem. I have no clue where its comming from. that will alow me to use the smog chip. If one of us looked at the engine we would see the engine different. The tec never heard of a syclone. He thought everything was aftermarket. He almost ran it in drive on the dyno. "DUDE!!! Its AWD..." Everything that could have went wrong did. I will get an extension put it back together and try again.
 

ChevelleDude71

Lo Boost
Re: Rant: CA SMOG (long)

gary, I could help you out if you need me to, I can run your truck on our SUN emission / diag, machine here at my shop next week if you could come over to livermore. Also I could have my co-worker look at your electrical issue, I told him about it and he asked if you have put a stock alternator in it to verify that the internal regulator in your new 140amper is working correctly. Also if you want my stock intake OR Kenne bell intake system, OR stock alternator, you are welcome to them, I just don't have a car to drive right now, with my toyota having leaky valve seals and all, so I can get a ride or you could come to my house and pick them up..let me know :tup:
 

It's just a six

Super Member
Re: Rant: CA SMOG (long)

ty166 said:
would they see the check engine light not on with key in on position and fail it anyway ?

dont know about cali but in illinois if you leave the test station for any reason you must retake the whole test over , i failed for a bad gas cap once and went back ten minutes later and they made me retest because i "failed" last time for the cap.

If they see a check engine light they could fail it just for that.
Best thing to do is pull the bulb or cover the check engine light area with a business card,like from a police station. ;)

If you have your idle @ 1200 RPM,they cannot test it & they should not charge you,if you ask if you could take to to your mech & have him readjust your idle to 1000 RPM & bring another time.
 

sy2207

Donating Member
Re: Rant: CA SMOG (long)

Keep in mind that when you switch between the 50# chip and stock you also need to change the map sensor.
 

mtb9192

New member
Re: Rant: CA SMOG (long)

gjp said:
I think the 2nd guy thought the turbo was aftermarket. He freaked out when he saw my truck and pulled it out quick. egr, pcv...all that is stock. Cat is new and stock style. I figure with a new top end the truck should pass? I had to be close but with the open loop chip in I had a feeling it was not. But I had to try before the 1st so I can get another extension on my plates. I have a voltage issue I have to fix and I will move my alky tank to where my abs was so I can run a air box on the passanger side. Friend works at taps plastics and is going to make me a box or I can look for a KB box here.

When it looked like I wasn't going to get my Sy passed by the end of the month. The tech at the smog test only shop told me to go ahead and pay the renewal on my license tags even though it hasn't passed. I said how can I do that when I haven't got a certificate. He told me I don't actually get the certificate anymore and once I thought about it I knew this from the last couple tests. He said once it passes smog then the results go electronically to Sacramento and they will mail you your tags. So don't apply for an extension, unless of course you have some physical mods under the hood that need covering up first. Also then you won't be accessed any late fees.
 
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