Carlo_Carrera

Am I missing something? Some here have said they could reinstall the OEM cats to pass smog? On my OEM exhaust system the cats seem to be welded to the mufflers, the exhaust system is all one piece. How do I separate the cats?

"02996ttx50

^ not possible lol

Drinaldis

we swap the entire exhaust

Dock

Is California emissions testing on your car(s) required every year, or every two years?

Are vehicles exempted based on age?

T Kono

The basics(bold added by me):

Currently, smog inspections are required for all vehicles except diesel powered vehicles 1997 year model and older or with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR) of more than 14,000 lbs, electric, natural gas powered vehicles over 14,000 lbs, motorcycles, trailers, or gasoline powered vehicles 1975 and older.

Vehicles registered in areas subject to the biennial smog certification program are required to submit evidence of a smog certification every other renewal period. Owners of vehicles eight or less model years old will pay an annual smog abatement fee for the first eight registration years instead of being required to provide a biennial smog certification.

It is county by county, some only require test at first registration. Nice of them to list trailers as exempt....how in the f*** do you smog a trailer?

infinkc

I’m tuned and have to swap to my stock exhaust for smog. They won’t pass visual on it since it’s not factory cats.

"02996ttx50

it's a lot easier to swap smog testers than it is to swap cats.

jayzbird

Unfortunately our cars get the STAR treatment, so there’s an extra level of scrutiny. I’ve passed once with my speed tech exhaust, but the last time the guy was all over the car (under, actually, with mirrors and such). Luckily I had switched out to the stock exhaust. Guess I need to find someone different. If you’re lucky enough to have renewal in summertime, I think it does help to go on a hot *** weekend day when they are crowded and less likely to be thorough.

mbaran

Sorry to bump an old thread ( but glad they're passing with tunes) - OEMs were mandated after 2005 to provide the CAL ID and CVN which is a factory assigned Calibration ID and matching Checksum Verification Number. The Porsche does have a CVN and CAL ID, but since it wasn't mandated since 2005 (and some say the test isn't being checked on all cars) means these 2001-2005's are likely passing no problem.

But yes, these OBD II readers at CA smog stations are capturing the calibrations serial number and corresponding checksum and comparing it to a database in Sacramento. They can absolutely tell if the ECU is running "non stock" code, though in the case of a car from 2001, this is likely not accurately reflected.

There are some guys with more popular tuner cars (BRZ/86, WRX/STI) that are being failed due to tunes only in CA.

"02996ttx50

i've smog tested two different "tuned" 996 turbos bi-annually since 2009.

i've never had a problem passing, only with getting the car "ready" vis a vis readiness monitors and the like.

this with catted aftermarket exhaust and a few visible go fast parts.

PaleAle

I failed my last smog in NorCal for my aftermarket exhaust.

Road King

Failed the visual inspection or failed due to a catalytic efficiency code?

Failing the visual can be solved by avoiding a 'non-friendly' smog tech.

A few of us here in the Bay Area use OBD2 code scanners to check for codes and readiness prior to smogging.

"02996ttx50

most any star test station will always let their customer know in advance of hooking up the OBD or transmitting any info about the car about potential "fails" to DMV so there is no actual "fail" recorded.

i am surprised to hear this happened. all they had to say was "they" wont pass you or continue any visual inspection so you could have gone to any of thousands of other "star certified" stations for a different result.

f you were actually "failed" for having an exhaust? that particular station F'd you.

Road King

To say the least. I won't even take my regular (unmodded) cars to a place where a dip$hit smog tech is actively looking to find problems or reasons to fail.

PaleAle

I am not new to this. I use my OBD2 clear codes regularly and know how to cycle the car to clear emission "not ready" status.

My point is that finding a non-friendly smog tech has become very difficult. I even had my indy take the car to HIS guy, that's been passing his work for years, no go. Once you fail, the system tracks you as having a failure which alerts the next guy.

I admit your solution does have merit. A kid I work with has a very modded/loud S2000 and passed no problem. He said the tech was stoned. Nice.