Rufus meets the smog man

ca993twin · 05-19-2009, 07:04 PM

I just got my Califonia DMV renewal, and this is the year for the smog certificate. I took Rufus to a local smog shop (recommended by a local Porsche shop), and 10 minutes later I was done... passed without a hiccup.

Of course, you don't put an AWD car on the rollers, but still, I am happy that this car is totally smog legal.

When I bought Rufus 4 years ago I had to go to a referee station because the readiness codes weren't set. By the time I drove there, they were set, and the car passed easily. Two years later, I had to take the car to a "Test Only Station", as Rufus was described as a "gross polluter". Again, he passed without a hitch. This time... a regular smog station. I still can't figure out that "gross polluter" designator.

Yehaw.

canysmc · 05-19-2009, 07:15 PM

sfbanchs · 05-19-2009, 07:16 PM

Boy are we lucky we dont have to do stuff like that in FL

pjconner · 05-19-2009, 08:27 PM

Too funny Steve! I went to get my car inspected today too. I have to do it annually. Passed without drama. Ruf designs these cars to pass emissions all over the world!

bb993tt · 05-20-2009, 07:43 AM

This was the thing I was most worried about when I brought my car back last year. No drama with the test then ... at least not with the NY version. Seem to remember Steve telling me that's the way it would be though.

Kein_Ersatz · 05-20-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfbanchs

Boy are we lucky we dont have to do stuff like that in FL

Yet, but I see this in all of our futures.

And in some way, to get the clap traps off the road, I think the European approach to MOT inspections would be a good thing here in the US.

Because Gov involvement in things is always a good thing

for them.

Turbodan · 05-20-2009, 11:00 AM

I passed about a month ago. No problem. since it is awd they don't put it on a dyno and no obd2 hookup either....passed with flying colours
they are talking about abolishing the test here...waste of time and money

chris walrod · 05-20-2009, 11:08 AM

Congrats Steve -- A goog thing!

dbf73 · 05-20-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbodan

I passed about a month ago. No problem. since it is awd they don't put it on a dyno and no obd2 hookup either

what do they do - just a sniff test at idle?

MarkD · 05-20-2009, 12:59 PM

Cool Steve.
I had to go to a "Test Only" deal this year also...

I got curious so I checked into it a bit. The gross polluter thing is tied to some Ca. legistlation that requires a certain % of cars to go through the process... which I SURE is tied to some kickbacks related to the industry that has the monopoly on manufacturing the test equipment that the "Test Only" stations must use... and the license fees for those "Test Only" stations... and so on.

Which all equates to a higher fee for Test Only certs... neat!

KM · 05-20-2009, 01:22 PM

Does anyone know the criteria used to flag a vehicle for the Test Only designation? Is it vehicle age, past smog history, hp rating, zip code, tax bracket, car color?? I too was hit for Test Only when I renewed this past fall. Car passed with flying colors and from what I remember of the printout, the various amounts recorded during the sniff test were all way below the allowable limit in each category, both at idle and elevated RPM. Same as it has been on all previous tests.

Appears that the Test Only is designated to be every other test after the vehicle reaches a certain age.

Turbodan · 05-20-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbf73

what do they do - just a sniff test at idle?

they do a sniff only at idle and at I think 2900 rpm for a few minutes.

viperbob · 05-20-2009, 07:46 PM

We've got no stinkin Smog Stations here is the Sunshine state....

MarkD · 05-20-2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KM

Does anyone know the criteria used to flag a vehicle for the Test Only designation? Is it vehicle age, past smog history, hp rating, zip code, tax bracket, car color?? I too was hit for Test Only when I renewed this past fall. Car passed with flying colors and from what I remember of the printout, the various amounts recorded during the sniff test were all way below the allowable limit in each category, both at idle and elevated RPM. Same as it has been on all previous tests.

Appears that the Test Only is designated to be every other test after the vehicle reaches a certain age.

Age is part of it... or it could be random.

Question: Why am I being sent to a Test-Only or Gold Shield station? My car has never failed Smog Check.

Answer: Your car was most likely selected by the High Emitter Profile. This means that even though it may never have failed before, it has been identified through a computer-based selection process as a vehicle which is more likely than others to be emitting unhealthy levels of harmful pollutants. Another possibility is that it was selected via a 2 % random selection for program evaluation purposes. In either case, your vehicle has been designated as a Directed Vehicle.

Taken from here:
http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource...ns_Part_1.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by viperbob

We've got no stinkin Smog Stations here is the Sunshine state....

sure, rub it in...

LA964RS · 05-21-2009, 03:20 PM

I always wondered. I know mine rolls up and clears smog no prob w/130mm 100 cell cats...But Rufus has different cams and I was under the impression that's where the issue lies...apparently not! Steve, I'm guessing you don't have to do the new evap test? They plug some machine onto your gas tank for about 10 minutes...mine past that too....no prob...think it 95 & earlier cars...

05-19-2009, 07:04 PM	#1
ca993twin Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, California Posts: 6,514	Rufus meets the smog man I just got my Califonia DMV renewal, and this is the year for the smog certificate. I took Rufus to a local smog shop (recommended by a local Porsche shop), and 10 minutes later I was done... passed without a hiccup. Of course, you don't put an AWD car on the rollers, but still, I am happy that this car is totally smog legal. When I bought Rufus 4 years ago I had to go to a referee station because the readiness codes weren't set. By the time I drove there, they were set, and the car passed easily. Two years later, I had to take the car to a "Test Only Station", as Rufus was described as a "gross polluter". Again, he passed without a hitch. This time... a regular smog station. I still can't figure out that "gross polluter" designator. Yehaw. __________________ Steve (old fartus emeritus) Official AARP Representative to "Hey Wait For Me Racing" RUFUS: 1996 993 Arena Red Ruf Turbo R WALDO: 1996 993 Arena Red Twin Turbo (Sold) 1997 Mustang Cobra convertible (ex open-track car) 1974 911 Targa (long gone) 1970 911E (became an IMSA GTU/GTO RSR)

05-19-2009, 07:15 PM	#2
canysmc Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,744	__________________ canysmc 1996 Porsche 993tt 2006 BMW M5 2006 BMW 750Li 2007 Mini Cooper S Vert Sparkling Silver/Malt Brown/Sidewalk Before: 1971 911 1985 911 1987 930 1985 535i 1987 535is 2001 M5

05-19-2009, 07:16 PM	#3
sfbanchs Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Miami Florida Posts: 1,406	Boy are we lucky we dont have to do stuff like that in FL __________________ 1988 930 Black on Tan, Fikse Classic Mach V, twin plug too much to list 1996 993TT Horizon Blue Metallic, champion monolites, Ruf Body kit, UMW POWERED!! 2008 RS4 Avus Silver titanium package, smoked wheels and tips, K&N Filter, Milltek non-resonated exhaust, Revo Tune

05-19-2009, 08:27 PM	#4
pjconner Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 2,455	Too funny Steve! I went to get my car inspected today too. I have to do it annually. Passed without drama. Ruf designs these cars to pass emissions all over the world! __________________ Patrick 1997 RUF Turbo R - Guards Red / Gray. PSS10, RUF 18" Wheels, RUF Shifter. RUF Steering Wheel. RUF Pedals. RUF Door Sills. GT3RS clutch/LWF. Steel Syncros. 2004 Mercedes S500 - Daily Driver <--- No, I am not an employee. Just a happy customer. 911s Gone: '96 993 Cab, '06 997S, '96 993 Targa, '92 964 C2 (still in the family)

05-20-2009, 07:43 AM	#5
bb993tt Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 601	This was the thing I was most worried about when I brought my car back last year. No drama with the test then ... at least not with the NY version. Seem to remember Steve telling me that's the way it would be though. __________________ 1997 RUF turbo R 1959 Porsche Junior Tractor Gone: 1969 911S, 1973 911S, 1978 911SC.

05-20-2009, 11:00 AM	#7
Turbodan Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Canada eh! Posts: 2,955	I passed about a month ago. No problem. since it is awd they don't put it on a dyno and no obd2 hookup either....passed with flying colours they are talking about abolishing the test here...waste of time and money __________________ Danny 96 993tt black/ black Gemballa suspension, techart brake ducts, turbo s oil cooler, 19" HRE's, stage 1 ecu, ghl bypass , BBS LMII(2nd set), 996 steering wheel 87 951 white/black, M30, max951 chip, see my video Sunday Drive * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJGm2JhSqwk

05-20-2009, 11:08 AM	#8
chris walrod Guru Lifetime Rennlist Member Rennlist Small Business Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: yorba linda, ca Posts: 13,725	Congrats Steve -- A goog thing! __________________ Is this a great place or what? Chris 97 993 twin http://www.swiftengineering.com/ Cool Video Latest FN News

05-20-2009, 12:59 PM	#10
MarkD Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Delta Area, NorCal Posts: 4,837	Cool Steve. I had to go to a "Test Only" deal this year also... I got curious so I checked into it a bit. The gross polluter thing is tied to some Ca. legistlation that requires a certain % of cars to go through the process... which I SURE is tied to some kickbacks related to the industry that has the monopoly on manufacturing the test equipment that the "Test Only" stations must use... and the license fees for those "Test Only" stations... and so on. Which all equates to a higher fee for Test Only certs... neat! __________________ _______________ Mark 97 993 turbo Black/Black - 2WD, Kinesis K28s, PSS9s, 2WD trans mount, FDM SSK, etc. 993 Turbo Exhaust Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQzfJm9eGLw 96 993 Cab Blue Turq/Grey - M033/Bilsteins, Fister Stage II Exhaust 06 Cayenne S - Family Truckster '57 Speedster replica by Vintage Speedsters - Yellow, 2.0l Engine by Lyle Cherry '07 Mini Cooper S

05-20-2009, 01:22 PM	#11
KM Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 114	Does anyone know the criteria used to flag a vehicle for the Test Only designation? Is it vehicle age, past smog history, hp rating, zip code, tax bracket, car color?? I too was hit for Test Only when I renewed this past fall. Car passed with flying colors and from what I remember of the printout, the various amounts recorded during the sniff test were all way below the allowable limit in each category, both at idle and elevated RPM. Same as it has been on all previous tests. Appears that the Test Only is designated to be every other test after the vehicle reaches a certain age.

05-20-2009, 07:46 PM	#13
viperbob Former Vendor Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 6,851	We've got no stinkin Smog Stations here is the Sunshine state....

05-21-2009, 03:20 PM	#15
LA964RS Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 2,213	I always wondered. I know mine rolls up and clears smog no prob w/130mm 100 cell cats...But Rufus has different cams and I was under the impression that's where the issue lies...apparently not! Steve, I'm guessing you don't have to do the new evap test? They plug some machine onto your gas tank for about 10 minutes...mine past that too....no prob...think it 95 & earlier cars...