All nervous, finally going to get my Cobra clone inspeced here in CA

[Chythar]

I shouldn't be nervous, I've checked everything twice. No error codes, the fan comes on when it should, everything works as far as I can tell. I've driven the car a half a block to the corner smog shop, so the car runs and works. But on big jobs like this where I haven't done the same kinda thing a few times I always get nervous. It's kinda like the night before a test - did I "study" enough? Did I miss something? Aargh..it's not logical to be this nervous but I am.

At least the inspection sounds easier than I thought. I don't have to have proof that the original Cobra is off the road (as in wrecked), nor even a VIN number. I just need to tell the referee the type of engine and what car it came from. Heh, they even reminded me to make sure the oil and coolant were full, and that I had enough gas to complete the smog test. I guess those aren't as obvious as I would have thought.

I have all the emissions equipment on, helps to have a donor car. The only way I might fail is if the emissions parts aren't working for some reason. Yet there are no codes and the engine runs smoothly. I know I'm worried over nothing, I just can't help it.

I'll post tomorrow's results here, of course.

 

[95BlueStallion]

Good luck man, sounds like you dont need it though. I think you have crossed your t's and dotted your i's from the way you speak of it.

 

[94GTCoupe]

Good luck,Matt.
sounds like you got everything covered,let us know how it turns out.

 

[HISSIN50]

I'm sure you'll rock it Matt. You're a smart guy.

 

[ProKiller]

i'm sure it will be fine.

 

[Grn92LX]

just pay someone and have an "under the table" inspection done. Car will pass with flying colors and not even have to leave the driveway..Or so i'm told

 

[fordtech28]

You'll be fine as long as the smog guy isnt a hardcore smog narc or else take it out to the inland empire they pass you as long as the car is running clean

 

[Chythar]

I PASSED!!!!!!



The referee was very understanding. He explained the feeling like you're having a baby - all you can do is wait and worry during the inspection.

I had a scare when I first went on the road - I was getting a loud rubbing on the passenger's front wheel. Don't remember it being there before. I pulled off the wheel and could not find anything rubbing, but the rotor would stick a bit in the caliper while rotating the wheel by hand. I drove off again, and I noticed the rubbing went away when I pressed the brake, although the wheel shook. Maybe it's a warped rotor, or the brand-new pads and rotors needed to break in. After the trip and inspection, I'm not hearing the rubbing anymore. and now the wheel isn't shaking when I press the pedal.

One thing to note, for you California Stangers - apparently silicone hoses are NOT SMOG LEGAL. Most silicone hoses are thin-walled and collapse under vacuum, causing all sorts of problems. I had heard of that problem and had bought really thick-walled silicone hoses which were supposedly guaranteed not to collapse under vacuum. The referee told me the hoses weren't legal, but passed me because he could feel how thick the hoses were and felt comfortable that they would not collapse. A big to the referee, he was a really nice guy. The tailpipe emissions were really low, the Cobra drivetrain just purrs down the street! Man, I feel so good right now.

 

[Chythar]

Thanks to all of you that supported me. I knew logically that I would be fine, but there's always that annoying worry that I missed SOMETHING. Guess it's just in my nature to stress over things like this.

 

[HISSIN50]

Nicely done Matt.

The brake thing could also be a sticky brake slide pin.

 

[Chythar]

Nicely done Matt.

The brake thing could also be a sticky brake slide pin.

Thanks. Not a bad idea on the slide pin, I'll have to check that out.

 

[Black95GTS]

Congrats! You guys call the inspection guy a "referee"? Is it actually a position all its own?

In MA, its usually a mechanic or gas station attendant with the training who takes a 15 minute break to run the test.

Adam

 

[Chythar]

Congrats! You guys call the inspection guy a "referee"? Is it actually a position all its own?

In MA, its usually a mechanic or gas station attendant with the training who takes a 15 minute break to run the test.

Adam

Yes, he's called a referee. We do have dedicated "test only" stations, manned by some kid who's been trained in the testing procedures. There are repair shops and gas stations that are like what you described. Remember, CA is really anal about smog stuff, they have the strictest standards in the nation.

The referee is a dedicated position. Usually the ref gets cars in that failed a smog test and had to have repairs done; seeing an "engine change" (their actual term) is kinda rare. He said he mostly sees Hondas in for engine changes, mine was the second Mustang he had seen.

Basically, a standard smog station presumes all your emission equipment is there and working, they just need to test it. The referee presumes the equipment was broken and he needs to carefully make sure you fixed it right. To give you a better idea, the average smog test here takes maybe 15 minutes. The referee took about an hour to cover everything.

 

[Adam95GT]