Will installing a downpipe cause SMOG test failure?
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From: Los Angeles, CA USA
Will installing a downpipe cause SMOG test failure?
If I eliminate my precat in place of a downpipe, do you think I'll have a worst chance of passing my emissions? Also, is it illegal to get rid of the precat in California? How much HP will it add?
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From: MA
It is illegal to modify the factory exhaust system on any car in all states..
That being said, the downpipe contains the pre-cat which with the AWS heat up quickly and are designed to pass cold start emissions..not sure if California has this..
If you put on a downpipe, but leave your main cat and then drive the car for about 40 mins and ensure that the main cat is warm then you should be able to pass emissions. At least that's emissions in other states that don't do SMOG..perhaps someone from Cali can be more specific about this part..
Putting on just a DP is supposed to give around 15 HP..
That being said, the downpipe contains the pre-cat which with the AWS heat up quickly and are designed to pass cold start emissions..not sure if California has this..
If you put on a downpipe, but leave your main cat and then drive the car for about 40 mins and ensure that the main cat is warm then you should be able to pass emissions. At least that's emissions in other states that don't do SMOG..perhaps someone from Cali can be more specific about this part..
Putting on just a DP is supposed to give around 15 HP..
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From: Huntington Beach, CA, USA
What timing! I just passed the California test on Friday.
If a DP is your only mod (or close to it) then you should pass the sniffer without a problem. Visual is another matter, but most test techs aren't going to notice it.
The guy that checked mine spent A LOT of time poking around my car looking for "all the emissions equipment", but he never even noticed the DP.
It's actually funny, he hassled me about my battery relocation of all things! He saw the open battery vent from the nose of the car and thought it was some missing part of the intake or something. He said, "Where is this car's original equipment?" I said, "What do you mean?" Then he says, "This vent carries air for the intake system, and it has been removed." It actually took me a minute to convince him that the battery used to be there...and not some part of the intake! But he didn't even see the DP.
If a DP is your only mod (or close to it) then you should pass the sniffer without a problem. Visual is another matter, but most test techs aren't going to notice it.
The guy that checked mine spent A LOT of time poking around my car looking for "all the emissions equipment", but he never even noticed the DP.
It's actually funny, he hassled me about my battery relocation of all things! He saw the open battery vent from the nose of the car and thought it was some missing part of the intake or something. He said, "Where is this car's original equipment?" I said, "What do you mean?" Then he says, "This vent carries air for the intake system, and it has been removed." It actually took me a minute to convince him that the battery used to be there...and not some part of the intake!
But he didn't even see the DP.
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From: Northern CA
I also agree with getting the car real warm prior to the smog test. I have a DP, cold air intake box, CB, and a high flow main CAT. I've been taking my car to a local gas station for years and have not had a problem passing. It will be interesting to see If I will still pass with a SMIC.
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From: Santa Barbara, California
In Cali, my car passed with the DP and CB on but the intake had to be changed back to stock in order to pass. I think getting less air reduced the HC enough, but make ABSOLUTELY SURE you give it a good run on the freeway before hand and dont let the shop let it sit and cool down.
Good Luck
Catlin
(if your not in CA, responces dont help much...)
Good Luck
Catlin
(if your not in CA, responces dont help much...)
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From: Northern CA
Originally posted by futurerexowner
In Cali, my car passed with the DP and CB on but the intake had to be changed back to stock in order to pass. I think getting less air reduced the HC enough, but make ABSOLUTELY SURE you give it a good run on the freeway before hand and dont let the shop let it sit and cool down.
Good Luck
Catlin
(if your not in CA, responces dont help much...)
In Cali, my car passed with the DP and CB on but the intake had to be changed back to stock in order to pass. I think getting less air reduced the HC enough, but make ABSOLUTELY SURE you give it a good run on the freeway before hand and dont let the shop let it sit and cool down.
Good Luck
Catlin
(if your not in CA, responces dont help much...)
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From: San Francisco, CA
I had my FD fail the visual earlier this year as a result of having the DP. The shop that I went to, Lombardi's Auto in Santa Clara is the one that failed me. DO NOT GO THERE. The tech is a major dick and had absolutely no compassion.
That said, i did pass the sniffer at that same place, which is how i ended up arguing with the tech...if i pass the sniffer but don't have the precat, why the F won't he just pass me? It's not like my car would need it to pass. At any rate, I failed, had to make some *ahem* changes, and I passed my next time around (different shop though).
frank69m: I recommend that you just find a shop that is known to be FD mod friendly and go there. If it costs extra, so be it. Whatever you do though, nobody post the names of friendly shops (for CA) in the thread...do that via PM. Last thing we need is for some narc to see this thread and go bust those shops.
Do, however, feel free to post the names of ******* shops that won't help a brotha out
Patrick
That said, i did pass the sniffer at that same place, which is how i ended up arguing with the tech...if i pass the sniffer but don't have the precat, why the F won't he just pass me? It's not like my car would need it to pass. At any rate, I failed, had to make some *ahem* changes, and I passed my next time around (different shop though).
frank69m: I recommend that you just find a shop that is known to be FD mod friendly and go there. If it costs extra, so be it. Whatever you do though, nobody post the names of friendly shops (for CA) in the thread...do that via PM. Last thing we need is for some narc to see this thread and go bust those shops.
Do, however, feel free to post the names of ******* shops that won't help a brotha out
Patrick
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From: Where there's only two seasons, hot and wet! I love Okinawa
Originally posted by SanJoRX7
I had my FD fail the visual earlier this year as a result of having the DP. The shop that I went to, Lombardi's Auto in Santa Clara is the one that failed me. DO NOT GO THERE. The tech is a major dick and had absolutely no compassion.
That said, i did pass the sniffer at that same place, which is how i ended up arguing with the tech...if i pass the sniffer but don't have the precat, why the F won't he just pass me? It's not like my car would need it to pass. At any rate, I failed, had to make some *ahem* changes, and I passed my next time around (different shop though).
frank69m: I recommend that you just find a shop that is known to be FD mod friendly and go there. If it costs extra, so be it. Whatever you do though, nobody post the names of friendly shops (for CA) in the thread...do that via PM. Last thing we need is for some narc to see this thread and go bust those shops.
Do, however, feel free to post the names of ******* shops that won't help a brotha out
Patrick
I had my FD fail the visual earlier this year as a result of having the DP. The shop that I went to, Lombardi's Auto in Santa Clara is the one that failed me. DO NOT GO THERE. The tech is a major dick and had absolutely no compassion.
That said, i did pass the sniffer at that same place, which is how i ended up arguing with the tech...if i pass the sniffer but don't have the precat, why the F won't he just pass me? It's not like my car would need it to pass. At any rate, I failed, had to make some *ahem* changes, and I passed my next time around (different shop though).
frank69m: I recommend that you just find a shop that is known to be FD mod friendly and go there. If it costs extra, so be it. Whatever you do though, nobody post the names of friendly shops (for CA) in the thread...do that via PM. Last thing we need is for some narc to see this thread and go bust those shops.
Do, however, feel free to post the names of ******* shops that won't help a brotha out
Patrick
and Patrick....good thinking with the shops...Cali guys/gals, help each other out!
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