California Emissions Test - Questions

[Ghost001]

Hello,

I have a 1.7L Kenne Bell with intercooler, 90mm MAF, 75mm TB, and big tube kit, all of which came when I ordered the kit. I have no other mods, and I have the EO sticker for the Kenne Bell, so I think I should pass Cally emissions, unless I fail the sniffer. I'm a little worried about the sniffer, because I had to rotate the MAF to get the long term fuel trims correct.

My questions are:

1. I have to be emissions tested by the end of May. If I take the emissions test early, and fail for some reason, can I take the emissions test again, as long as it's before the end of May? How many times can I take the emissions test? Or will I be sent to a referee or something if I fail the first time?

2. I have the EO sticker, but I keep it in a wallet in the glove compartment, because I don't want the sticker to get messed up, and because I like the supercharger better without it on there. Is this okay? Can I just show them the EO sticker? Will they fail me if the EO sticker is not actually stuck onto the supercharger?

3. Is there any way to find out if I will pass the sniffer, without actually taking the emissions test?

4. Do they ever go WOT (OPEN loop) during the test?

5. Are there any legal ways to improve the odds of passing? For example, I've heard that it's good to have the car warmed up really well.

 

[sgarlic]

I've never taken Cali emissions, but emissions here in AZ consists of a visual inspection (for mufflers and catalytic converters,) a quick check under the hood to look for broken hoses, etc, and a sniffer test. They just pop something in the tailpipe and you run it up to between 30-35mph on a dyno type device for a certain amount of time. I've never heard of anyone being asked to go WOT for an emissions test, but of course I haven't done it in Cali.

In most states (if not all,) you are allowed to retake it at LEAST one more time. My advice would be to try to find a shop or something that'll do testing for you, versus trying to go right to the DMV and letting them do it.

Running a bottle of seafoam through the crankcase and fuel system has been rumored to help reduce emissions a bit, but I don't know enough about it's effect on boosted engines to recommend it or not recommend it.

I would think as long as you have catalytic converters on there that you should pass the sniffer portion, regardless of what position your MAF is in, etc.

I don't recall the name of the member, but somebody here used to work in an emissions testing facility, and could probably chime in to help you.

 

[wms004]

Hello,

I have a 1.7L Kenne Bell with intercooler, 90mm MAF, 75mm TB, and big tube kit, all of which came when I ordered the kit. I have no other mods, and I have the EO sticker for the Kenne Bell, so I think I should pass Cally emissions, unless I fail the sniffer. I'm a little worried about the sniffer, because I had to rotate the MAF to get the long term fuel trims correct.

My questions are:

1. I have to be emissions tested by the end of May. If I take the emissions test early, and fail for some reason, can I take the emissions test again, as long as it's before the end of May? How many times can I take the emissions test? Or will I be sent to a referee or something if I fail the first time?

2. I have the EO sticker, but I keep it in a wallet in the glove compartment, because I don't want the sticker to get messed up, and because I like the supercharger better without it on there. Is this okay? Can I just show them the EO sticker? Will they fail me if the EO sticker is not actually stuck onto the supercharger?

3. Is there any way to find out if I will pass the sniffer, without actually taking the emissions test?

4. Do they ever go WOT (OPEN loop) during the test?

5. Are there any legal ways to improve the odds of passing? For example, I've heard that it's good to have the car warmed up really well.

Where in CA are you? The best thing is to ask a performance shop (like maybe the one who installed your supercharger assuming you didn't) where they recommend you go for smog. Most performance shops know of people who could pass you most likely.

Wade

 

[bdcardinal]

i am the person that was spoken about.

1. you can take the test now and take it as many times as it takes to pass. you might be sent to a ref simply because a lot of shops dont want to deal with aftermarket stuff, they will think you are an undercover car.

2..EO sticker needs to be on the supercharger. also do teh the ARB webpage and print out the paperwork thats associated with your EO number. also police will still say its an illegal blower even if you show them the sticker. a bunch of ricers started making fake stickers.

3. yes there is, its called a pretest. bascially a shop will offer that at an additional expense. it runs the test identical to a regular smog test, however it does not communicate with sacramento.

4. never go WOT in a test. depending on what zip code you are in they will do one of 2 tests. teh first one is the basic test and there is a visual, functional on EGR, timing gascap and OBD2 system. for tailpipe they run the car at 2500rpm for 30 seconds then idle for 30 seconds. if it fails tailpipe, they run it at 2000-2200 for 3 minutes and then redo the 2500 for 30 and idle for 30 test. this test measures HC(Hydrocarbons) and CO(Carbon Monoxide).

if you are in an enhanced area, there is a visual inspection, and functional on timing, gascap and OBD2. EGR is not tested because of how tailpipe is measured. the car is put on a dyno and run at 50% load at 15mph for a set amount of time, then it is run at 25% load at 25mph for another set amount of time. this test measues HC(hydrocarbons), CO(Carbon Monoxide), and NOx(Nitrides of Oxygen). they can assume by low NOx readings that the EGR is working. also on the dyno test the car has to stay within a specified RPM range. if its a manual, you really arent supposed to go out of 2nd gear, in an automatic you turn off OD.

the state of CA does not allow the DMV to do testing. testing is done at independent repair facillities, unless a trip to a state employed referee is required which allows for a completely unbiased test. refs also have more time in their test to find things, they will more likely catch things wrong with a car such as modified vacuum and electrical lines.

 

[Serper3]

i live in the bay area and even though i only have bolt ons, i am still afraid it will fail emissions... will it? what about the visual. ? thanks alot.

 

[03ghoststang]

i live in the bay area and even though i only have bolt ons, i am still afraid it will fail emissions... will it? what about the visual. ? thanks alot.

you will since you have the O/R X-pipe you will need to put the stock H-pipe on when you need to do the testing

 

[03ghoststang]

i am the person that was spoken about.

1. you can take the test now and take it as many times as it takes to pass. you might be sent to a ref simply because a lot of shops dont want to deal with aftermarket stuff, they will think you are an undercover car.

2..EO sticker needs to be on the supercharger. also do teh the ARB webpage and print out the paperwork thats associated with your EO number. also police will still say its an illegal blower even if you show them the sticker. a bunch of ricers started making fake stickers.

3. yes there is, its called a pretest. bascially a shop will offer that at an additional expense. it runs the test identical to a regular smog test, however it does not communicate with sacramento.

4. never go WOT in a test. depending on what zip code you are in they will do one of 2 tests. teh first one is the basic test and there is a visual, functional on EGR, timing gascap and OBD2 system. for tailpipe they run the car at 2500rpm for 30 seconds then idle for 30 seconds. if it fails tailpipe, they run it at 2000-2200 for 3 minutes and then redo the 2500 for 30 and idle for 30 test. this test measures HC(Hydrocarbons) and CO(Carbon Monoxide).

if you are in an enhanced area, there is a visual inspection, and functional on timing, gascap and OBD2. EGR is not tested because of how tailpipe is measured. the car is put on a dyno and run at 50% load at 15mph for a set amount of time, then it is run at 25% load at 25mph for another set amount of time. this test measues HC(hydrocarbons), CO(Carbon Monoxide), and NOx(Nitrides of Oxygen). they can assume by low NOx readings that the EGR is working. also on the dyno test the car has to stay within a specified RPM range. if its a manual, you really arent supposed to go out of 2nd gear, in an automatic you turn off OD.

the state of CA does not allow the DMV to do testing. testing is done at independent repair facillities, unless a trip to a state employed referee is required which allows for a completely unbiased test. refs also have more time in their test to find things, they will more likely catch things wrong with a car such as modified vacuum and electrical lines.

that is correct around where i live i can go to this shop where the guy has the smog equipment for pre-test, so you can see if you need to put some stock parts back on the car

 

[Ghost001]

Thanks bdcardinal, sgarlic, 03ghoststang, and wms004!

I will put the EO sticker on the supercharger.

I will try to find a test-only station that can do both a pre-test and real test.

I will print out the ARB info for my EO number.

By the way, I live in the Lost Angeles area, so I guess I get the brunt of the emissions laws.

 

[wms004]

you will since you have the O/R X-pipe you will need to put the stock H-pipe on when you need to do the testing

Ghost,

Who put in your cams? I called my shop in Canoga (Extreme Automotive) and they don't do cam work.

Wade

 

[00s281sc368]

I have the same KB 1.7 setup with big intake, and passed the CA smog check last year like a breeze. I just went to the first place I found for smog and they didn't bother asking anything. After they ran the tests, they told me I had close to 0 emissions and far less than most of the 4 cyl cars they test every day

 

[todd4566]

i live in the bay area and even though i only have bolt ons, i am still afraid it will fail emissions... will it? what about the visual. ? thanks alot.

Based on your signature, you'll fail visual because of your off-road pipe, plenum, and cold-air intake. I was appalled when it happened to me. Refusing to waste time wrenching off/on plenums and such, I found a "friend."

 

[bdcardinal]

ya, the plenum isnt legal, the BBK one might be legal, not sure and any midpipe except stock isnt legal.

i dont advocate finding a "friend", however whatever you do on your own time is up to you.

 

[03ghoststang]

Ghost,

Who put in your cams? I called my shop in Canoga (Extreme Automotive) and they don't do cam work.

Wade

i havent got them on yet their in my house sitting their im waiting for my high stall converter and a few things before i install them that way it'll only be down a week

 

[03ghoststang]

ya, the plenum isnt legal, the BBK one might be legal, not sure and any midpipe except stock isnt legal.

i dont advocate finding a "friend", however whatever you do on your own time is up to you.

almost anything that dosent have a E.O will be X'ed that is why i have all my stock parts in the garage

 

[todd4566]

i dont advocate finding a "friend", however whatever you do on your own time is up to you.

I hear ya, but I did still have to pass the sniffer test. Basically my friend turned a blind eye to the simple engine mods I had. It makes me angry that you can fail smog by having illegal mods even while emitting "clean" exhaust, whereas an some smuck can be roaming around blowing black smoke who passed smog by the skin of their teeth. Isn't the whole point of these laws to promote cleaner air? If I get a dyno tune and burn cleaner than factory with additional mods, I should be commended, not punished.

 

[MineralMan]

I hear ya, but I did still have to pass the sniffer test. Basically my friend turned a blind eye to the simple engine mods I had. It makes me angry that you can fail smog by having illegal mods even while emitting "clean" exhaust, whereas an some smuck can be roaming around blowing black smoke who passed smog by the skin of their teeth. Isn't the whole point of these laws to promote cleaner air? If I get a dyno tune and burn cleaner than factory with additional mods, I should be commended, not punished.

As a California hot rodder, I agree with you 100%. If the car passes smog, no matter what the mods, then it should pass. If my car runs cleaner and better because of the mods that I've done, that should be what counts... not whether or not the mods have an EO number on them.

As a side note, back in my pre-Mustang days I was looking at doing an engine swap into the car I had. Because of the way CA smog laws are written, I couldn't swap in a nice, newer (from an engineering standpoint) high revving engine in place of my old lump of an engine because the engine I wanted was from a car a couple of years older. In CA, it is only legal to swap in an engine from a car that is the same year model or newer. Sucked @$$. But, because of thta (and some other things), I now have my Stang.

 

[Hornetsnest]

As a California hot rodder, I agree with you 100%. If the car passes smog, no matter what the mods, then it should pass. If my car runs cleaner and better because of the mods that I've done, that should be what counts... not whether or not the mods have an EO number on them

I honestly believe the state does that because of street racing. We all know that they assume: modified car = street racer = dangerous person. Any lawful excuss they can enforce or implement to hassle us "bad people", they will do. The EO thing has nothing to do with cleaner air and everything to do with $$$ and curbing car modding/street racing (which they assume go hand in hand). As long as the car passes the sniffer and a safety insp, it should be street legal...

 

[03ghoststang]

that is why you buy a car that does not have to smoged and turn it into a beast.......i believe that it's 30yrs here in cali right??? for it not to be smog tested

 

[03ghoststang]

I honestly believe the state does that because of street racing. We all know that they assume: modified car = street racer = dangerous person. Any lawful excuss they can enforce or implement to hassle us "bad people", they will do. The EO thing has nothing to do with cleaner air and everything to do with $$$ and curbing car modding/street racing (which they assume go hand in hand). As long as the car passes the sniffer and a safety insp, it should be street legal...

i honestly believe that street racing has something to with it that is why the CHP is trained to inspect cars and look for that E.O number otherwise the list will be long on that ticket

 

[bdcardinal]

the law used to be 30 years. now it just applies to cars 1975 and older, CA stopped the rolling exemption. however cars back to 1965 are still expected to have the smog components that they were equipped with from the factory, and all cars in CA must pass a sound test.