smog check
 

What can i do to pass my smog test? I have full rb exhaust and headers. Do i need to buy the pre cat and cat used? Or can I buy an aftermarket system to pass smog? And where can I find these things? Please help me, i've been trying to pass since october and I'm about to kill myself.

You'll probably need to do as I've done.

Get a stock exhaust and swap out when it's time for an inspection. You won't necessarily need the air tube to the cat as you'll only have it on for the short drive to get it inspected and then back home again for the swap.

smog test
 

You will need to put the stock exhaust manifold back on. If you have taken the smog pump off and put a block off plate on the intake manifold for the acv valve you will need to put it all back on. You will also need to put on the stock front cat system, you can get this stuff at the wrecking yard. the only thing i do not recommend that you get at the wrecking yard is the main cat, you need to purchase a universal one or direct fit or have a muffler shop install one. The reason
for a new one is that it needs to be able to incinerate the unburned fuel and a used unknow condition one will probably having you fail the test. And you do need to put the exhaust check valve and piping back to the main cat. This is how the cat gets air in there to raise the temp to lower the hc's or unburned fuel. The muffler does not have to be changed. I fyou have taken the rats nest offf, all of it will need to go back on as well as the stock sir box and filter if you are using a kn.
Tips on getting it thru after you do all of this. Make sure the air filter is clean, the oil
has been recently changed. the plugs are fresh. I recoomend that you run some strong FI cleaner thru the system, i recommend Bg's 44k available thru most dealerships and repair facilities. Run it with about 1/4 tank of fuel so it is heavily concentrated. If you have had the injectors cleaned in the last 20k dont worrry about this. There is some stuff called guranteed to pass that you can put in your tank and i have heard of some guys using a perctange of alcohol. Make sure the timing is set to stock and the idle is no more than 950 tops. Before you take it in
go for at least a 30 minute drive and do not shut it off when you get there, you want the cat as hot as possible. Also request pretest so if it fails you will not be
reported as a gross poluter. You pay more but its worth it not to go thru the hassle
if it turns out to be a grosss polluter. rx7doctor

Wrecking yards in CA cant and wont sell cats.
You gonna have to replace ALL the orginal smog gear to pass CA smog,especially if your in a Smog Check 2 zone that performs dyno roller testing.Cats,airpump,rats nest,ACV,ect.... all have to there.
Being in the Bay Area,Id say its a very good chance you will have to dyno roller.I live 50 miles north of SF and anyone along the 101 corridor has to pass Smog2 standards.Those tests are more stringent and check for NoX as well as putting the engine under load while testing.

You definatly need the stock manifold,and the stock precats need to be installed,although they serve little purpose if you run a new,modern 3 way catylist.If you do run one,an old pair of gutted precat/s will be fine to pass the visual inspection,although they need not be functional since the new cat will be doing their old job.........dont ask why its like that,it just is.Youll fail the visual if they arent there,but if the tailpipe numbers are good,it doesnt matter if they dont work.

including gas tanks @ self-serve wrecking yards like Pick-Up Parts etc etc

just move some place that doesn't do smog testing.........ya gotta love it

Actually,they will sell gas tanks.But they wont be good for much more than scrap or parts since they pierce them to drain the fuel.Same goes for many oilpans and rearends....lazy bastards!
I had no problem getting an FC fuel tank from Pick-n-Pull to salvage the pump/vent mounting rings and pickup baffle box for my TII conversion.They did look at me weird and remind me that there were holes in the tank.I just smiled and said,"I know,and I still want it."