Page 1 of 1
smog test only center in northern cal
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 5:28 pm
by chochocho
didn't pass visual on my ss due to hmy high flow cat.
only other options now is to either reinstall the stock downpipe or to find a smog "friendly" place.
please pm me if you have info on the latter option.
i am in san ramon, ca (not far off oakland) and i am willing to do some driving (within 100 miles).
thanks.
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:11 pm
by Legacy777
So they won't pass you, even if you have a cat that meets the emissions limits?
If so, that's f'n BS!
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:14 pm
by chochocho
yup, didn't even get to do the test because he didn't pass my visual.
Legacy777 wrote:So they won't pass you, even if you have a cat that meets the emissions limits?
If so, that's f'n BS!
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:22 pm
by asc_up
Whaaaaaat? So because it 'looks' aftermarket, they won't even test it to see if it passes?!
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:02 pm
by vrg3
California's got crazy strict rules, yeah... From what I understand, the problem isn't that it looks aftermarket, but that it is aftermarket but doesn't have an exemption from the California Air Resources Board for your application (i.e. the manufacturer hasn't proven to CARB, with thorough laboratory testing, that it won't adversely affect your car's emissions). If it did, I believe there'd be an exemption number stamped on the cat.
Good luck, chochocho.
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:16 pm
by asc_up
Wow. They don't even do visual inspections here in WA. I just roll up with a loud exhaust and they ask me to hold my RPMs at a given speed. No hassle.
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 1:26 am
by Skruyd
The visual is basically so they don't have "their" time wasted. So many people have to get their vehicles tested. It's just easier to turn people away when something doesn't look right. Rather than hooking it up and finding out it failed anyways because it was hollowed out or shields are just welded in place. Basically the reason why I'm selling mine before I move over west.
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:06 am
by asc_up
Hmmm. Could you have a shop weld on some shields around it to make it look stock?
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 2:59 pm
by vrg3
Well, there's more to the visual inspection than just turning cars away... A smog checkpoint can't possibly test every car for cold-start emissions, for example -- they only test a very narrow range of operating conditions. So looking for either an OEM part or a CARB-exempted part is a way to know that the part in question has been proven to keep emissions at or below stock under all conditions. The tailpipe check is then just a way to be reasonably sure that the emissions controls are still functioning.
Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:39 pm
by chochocho
found a spot here that was easy on the visual. passed!!!!!!