Getting Ready for California STAR Smog
01-13-23, 07:46 AM
#27
Rotary Enthusiast
I would think that you do want the air going to the cat, to help burn up any residual fuel. Can you set the ACV to always send air to the cat? I'm just throwing out ideas but with no experience
01-13-23, 08:47 AM
#28
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Toruki (01-13-23)
01-14-23, 04:44 PM
#29
You're pretty close to passing! You could try putting denatured alcohol in the gas to see if that helps lower the HC. I don't remember what's the correct ratio though. I do believe the answer is to get at least one new cat, if the ones you have installed have EO numbers stamped on them already. The brand new cat will really clean up the HC significantly and after smog test passes, just install a straight pipe to save your cats for the next two years till the next test if you can live with breathing in the fumes 
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01-15-23, 12:14 PM
#30
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Off to see a cat / muffler guy this week several folks at Breakfast Club Rally recommended.
Also talked to the smog referee about collector car status, as collector cars use ‘abbreviated’ smog standards. No go…. Tail pipe emission standards are the same as regular smog, and FBs are not rare enough to qualify anyway. Referee guy was great, knew his stuff and had owned a FC.
Also talked to the smog referee about collector car status, as collector cars use ‘abbreviated’ smog standards. No go…. Tail pipe emission standards are the same as regular smog, and FBs are not rare enough to qualify anyway. Referee guy was great, knew his stuff and had owned a FC.
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Frogman (01-15-23)
01-15-23, 01:22 PM
#31
seniorchief
The trials and tribulations of the RX7 owner in CA are depressing, and it's a big reason I was never inclined to remove my stock exhaust and go the header and straight pipe route. The fact that I had to deal with bi-annual smog inspections when I was stationed in CA and the chance I could transferred to duty station in another state that required smog checks was a deterrent for me. I hope you get you 7 to a place where it can pass the test and you can enjoy it (and hopefully by then the rain will have stopped!)
01-19-23, 01:11 AM
#32
OG Member
I'm in AZ, but we still have emissions testing in my county u less you go Historic Plates, but then your insurance watches mileage, so I swap my original 84SE cats and manifold onto the car every 2 years for testing - and have never failed emissions.
If you want the best possible outcome with the least amount of worry;
1. Change your oil - if your OMP is pumping old, contaminated oil into your intake, it's going to show up on emissions output. Change your oil filter while you're at it. It's cheap insurance, and at least you'll be sure clean oil is being burned.
2. Plugs - BR8EQ14 is the standard for our engines. Running anything else isn't helping. New plugs ensure as clean a burn as possible, and make sure everything is tight and grounded well, while you're at it.
3. Plug Wires - simple to replace in this set of items, if you can't remember the last time you replaced them, just spring for a new set.
4. Distributor Cap & Rotor - basic maintenance around ignition, and necessary to ensure clean, proper spark on these old, low-powered systems. Don't mess with the coils - the stock Mitsu components are the best you can find and almost never fail. They're designed to work with this system and give plenty of ZAP!
5. Air Filter - clean air coming in, and as much volume as possible will help with both idle emissions and the rolling dyno test. A new filer helps a lot with road performance, too, and they're comparatively cheap and easy to replace.
6. Exhaust System Gaskets - often overlooked, any air leaks in your exhaust, from the manifold to the pipes and the muffler, allows oxygen into the system, which reacts with any unburned components to create HC and CO above normal. New gaskets are cheap, time to swap them is well-spent.
7. Fuel - avoid adding anything to the fuel, and stay away from high-test (aka high octane), as rotary engines have a short ignition and power stroke, any the octane additives delay ignition specifically for piston engines - which exactly what you DON'T want in a rotary. Run a can of Seafoam through it if you want, but it's not likely to change the results.
With these things done - which is just good PM on any car every few years, you have the best shot at passing on your first attempt using stock components, and remember that emissions testing standards are based on when the car rolled off the production line. They are also compared to past years readings for your car in some states (*like AZ), so think of it as setting a baseline if you plan to keep the car in that state. Good luck,
If you want the best possible outcome with the least amount of worry;
1. Change your oil - if your OMP is pumping old, contaminated oil into your intake, it's going to show up on emissions output. Change your oil filter while you're at it. It's cheap insurance, and at least you'll be sure clean oil is being burned.
2. Plugs - BR8EQ14 is the standard for our engines. Running anything else isn't helping. New plugs ensure as clean a burn as possible, and make sure everything is tight and grounded well, while you're at it.
3. Plug Wires - simple to replace in this set of items, if you can't remember the last time you replaced them, just spring for a new set.
4. Distributor Cap & Rotor - basic maintenance around ignition, and necessary to ensure clean, proper spark on these old, low-powered systems. Don't mess with the coils - the stock Mitsu components are the best you can find and almost never fail. They're designed to work with this system and give plenty of ZAP!
5. Air Filter - clean air coming in, and as much volume as possible will help with both idle emissions and the rolling dyno test. A new filer helps a lot with road performance, too, and they're comparatively cheap and easy to replace.
6. Exhaust System Gaskets - often overlooked, any air leaks in your exhaust, from the manifold to the pipes and the muffler, allows oxygen into the system, which reacts with any unburned components to create HC and CO above normal. New gaskets are cheap, time to swap them is well-spent.
7. Fuel - avoid adding anything to the fuel, and stay away from high-test (aka high octane), as rotary engines have a short ignition and power stroke, any the octane additives delay ignition specifically for piston engines - which exactly what you DON'T want in a rotary. Run a can of Seafoam through it if you want, but it's not likely to change the results.
With these things done - which is just good PM on any car every few years, you have the best shot at passing on your first attempt using stock components, and remember that emissions testing standards are based on when the car rolled off the production line. They are also compared to past years readings for your car in some states (*like AZ), so think of it as setting a baseline if you plan to keep the car in that state. Good luck,
01-20-23, 03:53 PM
#33
Junior Member
When I first bought my SE I had trouble with smog, I finally caved and got a new main cat and now it passes with insanely low numbers. I just throw the cats on every 2 years for smog because I have the RB headers. I recommend this route as it'll save you the headache in 2 years.
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midnight mechanic (01-30-23)
01-20-23, 04:26 PM
#34
Senior Newbie Member
When I first bought my SE I had trouble with smog, I finally caved and got a new main cat and now it passes with insanely low numbers. I just throw the cats on every 2 years for smog because I have the RB headers. I recommend this route as it'll save you the headache in 2 years.
01-21-23, 09:27 AM
#35
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i have 2 set of cats too, the normal one, and then the Sunday cat for smog....
01-22-23, 06:42 PM
#36
OG Member
I recently worked on a 80 and did my unusual tune up for smog. OEM cap and rotor from mazdatrix plugs air filter oil change. Along with a carb rebuild and electronic distributor swap. . Original motor with 90k on the clock. Passed smog with flying colors. Surprised me how low it was with no cats just the thermal reactors. Car had been off the road for along time. Barn find out of Modesto.
02-03-23, 09:49 AM
#37
Rotary Enthusiast
Hey @Slow_sevens I am hoping to hear of your success...any updates?
02-03-23, 03:01 PM
#38
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for asking Long story. Applied for the California financial assistance that helps pay for smog related repairs. In short $900 towards new cats. Just got a YES reply, helps that I am retired and officially have no income. Have to take the car in to a STAR certified test/fix place. You are not allowed to use the funds on work you do yourself. With any luck new cats will get me a smog pass.
Whilst I waited for the approval, replaced front wheel bearings and ball joints to entertain myself. Been getting a lot wandering on uneven roads, ironically when I was warming the car up prior to smog checks. Should have that done early next week then off to get new cats.
Will let you know how it goes.
Whilst I waited for the approval, replaced front wheel bearings and ball joints to entertain myself. Been getting a lot wandering on uneven roads, ironically when I was warming the car up prior to smog checks. Should have that done early next week then off to get new cats.
Will let you know how it goes.
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02-12-23, 09:06 PM
#39
My turn in the bucket next... I'm almost a year overdue on completing the last registration, but I need to do a carb rebuild first. Been working way too many extra hours the last couple years, and have had no time.
I may be forced to take a year of PNO if I can't finish in early March.
I paid the full fee last year but have never finished the test. Not sure what happens if I am still "incomplete" when renewal comes but IIRC it starts accumulating fees.
The wonders of the Cali 80 with bowl-bottom Vacuum Power Valves; if you don't drive it enough, they WILL gum up and stall you.
I may be forced to take a year of PNO if I can't finish in early March.
I paid the full fee last year but have never finished the test. Not sure what happens if I am still "incomplete" when renewal comes but IIRC it starts accumulating fees.
The wonders of the Cali 80 with bowl-bottom Vacuum Power Valves; if you don't drive it enough, they WILL gum up and stall you.
02-13-23, 12:27 PM
#40
Senior Member
Thread Starter
And on and on it goes. Found a STAR certified test and repair place. Went by there this morning. Their testing rollers are broken. Argh! Maybe another week 'till they can test.
On the upside EXCELLENT techs working there. They looked over the failed smog numbers and said 'Oh, you tried cheating the air pump'. Very willing to talk options and seem to know their stuff.
Will check back in a week and maybe have good news.
On the upside EXCELLENT techs working there. They looked over the failed smog numbers and said 'Oh, you tried cheating the air pump'. Very willing to talk options and seem to know their stuff.
Will check back in a week and maybe have good news.
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03-25-23, 01:40 PM
#42
Rotary Enthusiast
Some folks install their inspection passing exhaust systems when the time is right and keep them off car otherwise. I don't know if that's an option in CA, but now that you've got the recipe down to passing, might be worth the hassle.
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Frogman (03-27-23)
03-26-23, 12:06 AM
#43
OG Member
That's what I used to do. Every two years take off the header and pre-silencer. Install good factory OEM cats. Take them right back off same day.
03-27-23, 10:20 PM
#44
Senior Newbie Member
I find this entire saga funny / sad. Funny in the fact most of us don't even have emissions yet somehow manage to pass and sad that even if you do pass the " right way" are still breaking federal law by swapping over to your headers and pre-silencers after . The truth is these cars shouldn't be forced to pass these smog test any more but here we are paying thousands to pass . You can cheat the system for a decade with what you spent on new cat's and if you do any sort of power mod you are just as much as a criminal as the man who passes dirty according to the law . Under the new laws owning a track only race car is also illegal , that means all of you who own track only car's are criminals and could face jail time. That's absurd ! Dude could have paid 275 to some dude in a reservation and passed months ago but i guess following draconian laws is the way to go . Don't get me started on how CARB legal cats cost 4x as much as non carb legal ones even though they are the exact same part. If you report your carb stolen they check to make sure your new cat s a mafia approved one , oops I mean a carb approved one . Congrats on passing , but sorry you got scammed by the powers at be .
P.S. I don't condone breaking the law or encourage it but i also don't condone putting people in jail for racing their modified sevens on private trackways. Hasn't happened yet but the EPA is ramping up it's BS.
P.S. I don't condone breaking the law or encourage it but i also don't condone putting people in jail for racing their modified sevens on private trackways. Hasn't happened yet but the EPA is ramping up it's BS.
03-28-23, 12:21 PM
#45
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I hear you Mr Frogman. I am old and have seen a metric crap ton of life. Experience has taught me the value of the serenity prayer (although I omit the Lord bit and am not an addict) especially the 'grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change' part. As a working class northern Englishman with a chip on his shoulder I spent a few decades raging against the machine, but California sunshine and some bloody good luck has mellowed me. Nothing I can do about the smog laws, but am blessed enough to have the resources to pay my way through the issues the smog laws cause, and have the skills and support to create workarounds for the future.
Where the smog laws really hurt is for the younger and less affluent folks on this message board who are trying to run RX7s on pocket money and zip ties, for whom failing smog is a car ending event. I will post a guide to applying for the BAR smog repair assistance program (as soon as I have my bathroom floor fixed!) as $900 in government assistance would be huge to those scratching by.
Where the smog laws really hurt is for the younger and less affluent folks on this message board who are trying to run RX7s on pocket money and zip ties, for whom failing smog is a car ending event. I will post a guide to applying for the BAR smog repair assistance program (as soon as I have my bathroom floor fixed!) as $900 in government assistance would be huge to those scratching by.
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03-28-23, 01:00 PM
#46
Senior Newbie Member
I hear you Mr Frogman. I am old and have seen a metric crap ton of life. Experience has taught me the value of the serenity prayer (although I omit the Lord bit and am not an addict) especially the 'grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change' part. As a working class northern Englishman with a chip on his shoulder I spent a few decades raging against the machine, but California sunshine and some bloody good luck has mellowed me. Nothing I can do about the smog laws, but am blessed enough to have the resources to pay my way through the issues the smog laws cause, and have the skills and support to create workarounds for the future.
Where the smog laws really hurt is for the younger and less affluent folks on this message board who are trying to run RX7s on pocket money and zip ties, for whom failing smog is a car ending event. I will post a guide to applying for the BAR smog repair assistance program (as soon as I have my bathroom floor fixed!) as $900 in government assistance would be huge to those scratching by.
Where the smog laws really hurt is for the younger and less affluent folks on this message board who are trying to run RX7s on pocket money and zip ties, for whom failing smog is a car ending event. I will post a guide to applying for the BAR smog repair assistance program (as soon as I have my bathroom floor fixed!) as $900 in government assistance would be huge to those scratching by.
03-28-23, 05:13 PM
#47
OG Member
I'm not old enough to remember the air quality before they started the smog laws here in California. But what my older sister and dad /mom said it was pretty bad. I personally think they are laws for the better good. And health of everyone. Are cars are a little harder to up keep because they no longer make any parts for the smog equipment..I recently traveled to Seattle this passed summer. I was kinda shocked at the air quality there. In traffic on the freeway the smog was horrible. Couldn't roll your windows down. Worse than anything I ever experienced in California. When I googled the smog laws in Washington state. I was surprised that in 2019 they repealed all the smog laws. It definitely showed.
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03-28-23, 05:31 PM
#48
Senior Newbie Member
I'm not old enough to remember the air quality before they started the smog laws here in California. But what my older sister and dad /mom said it was pretty bad. I personally think they are laws for the better good. And health of everyone. Are cars are a little harder to up keep because they no longer make any parts for the smog equipment..I recently traveled to Seattle this passed summer. I was kinda shocked at the air quality there. In traffic on the freeway the smog was horrible. Couldn't roll your windows down. Worse than anything I ever experienced in California. When I googled the smog laws in Washington state. I was surprised that in 2019 they repealed all the smog laws. It definitely showed.
03-29-23, 06:38 AM
#49
seniorchief
Sooner or later Carb comes for everyone Frogman!
Starting Jan. 1, diesel trucks with engine model years older than 2010 and weighing at least 14,000 pounds can't be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, according to a California Air Resources Board rule (Feb 1, 2023.)
Starting Jan. 1, diesel trucks with engine model years older than 2010 and weighing at least 14,000 pounds can't be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, according to a California Air Resources Board rule (Feb 1, 2023.)
03-29-23, 07:57 AM
#50
Rotary Enthusiast
Sooner or later Carb comes for everyone Frogman!
Starting Jan. 1, diesel trucks with engine model years older than 2010 and weighing at least 14,000 pounds can't be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, according to a California Air Resources Board rule (Feb 1, 2023.)
Starting Jan. 1, diesel trucks with engine model years older than 2010 and weighing at least 14,000 pounds can't be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, according to a California Air Resources Board rule (Feb 1, 2023.)
Colorado might be a good example and I'm curious how their emissions laws treat older cars. The brown line in the sky over Denver, back in the 80's, has been cleaned up for a long time...a good thing!