Someone please put a sticky on this. This thread is to help the poor souls (like me) who must endure emmissions inspections. How did you get your RX-7 to pass? Did you use a shady mechanic- how did it work? Did you use a GM electric air pump? How did the install go? Everyone needs to pitch in with both questions and answers.

Max

 

lived in mississippi

 

I'll let you know in a few weeks when I get my engine back together.

It is currently getting a good sized streetport, s5 rotors, lightened flywheel, and many other mods, including a bonez cat. I'll let you know if I pass, and none of the guys around here that I kbnow of will accept bribes. Just so you know I failed three times before my engine blew, so i feel your pain.

 

Register your car where there are no emissions testing.

 

everyone allways says that, but has anyone actually doen it?, wouldnt you have to have an address in that county? and have the adress on your drivers liscence in that county? So if a cop stopped you, wouldnt he thinks its odd you have a P.O. box or something as your address?

 

I used my air pump and a high-flow cat. It passed with flying colors.

A while back I had a different car. I took it to a insp shop run by a racer known as Mr. Nitrous. He tested it and it was a 'little' over the limits. He started a van sitting in the next bay and hooked the exhust tube up to the van and ran the test on my car. He said,'Hmmm, that seemed to clear up the problem'.

 

GM Smog pump, downpipe (single turbo heehe), stock cat, 15% denatured alcohol in the tank. Passed the dyno-roller test easily.

Brian

 

hi flow cat and had it checked by a mechanic that had passed 41 out of 43 failed cars....cost me $150 for a bosch o2 sensor, so im sure most of that was bribe money, but whatever works

 

hi flow cat and had it checked by a mechanic that had passed 41 out of 43 failed cars....cost me $150 for a bosch o2 sensor, so im sure most of that was bribe money, but whatever works

 

hi flow cat and had it checked by a mechanic that had passed 41 out of 43 failed cars....cost me $150 for a bosch o2 sensor, so im sure most of that was bribe money, but whatever works

 

yeah, the emissions tests are generally based on the exhaust (mainly the cat). if the inspector is a b!tch - he'll want bribe $$$ for "overlooking" all the mods during visual inspection. if you have a nice, restrictive, stock cat. - you should have no problems with the sniffer test

if you don't pass - just try replacing you're cat and adding all the pre cats and junk back in there. and keep it that way. because its not worth replacing every 2 years (in cali) IMO. the 30hp you gain wont be worth the 100's of dollars you'll spend everytime you do a smogcheck. especially if you have a pretty heavily modded 7 with a nice big single turbo, etc...

 

Emissions tests are required every other year, and tests are good for a year here, so I tested 11 months before it was necessary ("I'm thinking of selling the car and a valid E-check is a selling point") and then did the modifications. I kept the stock engine and emissions setup safely in the garage, figuring that in 2 years and 10 months I would swap the original stuff back in, pass the emissions test, and later swap back to the good stuff.

This is nothing new, it's actually a favored tactic of all the 'Stang-bangers. Plus, it's nice to have the engine out every couple years to freshen it up, and if the engine blows in the meantime, you *know* you have a spare.

The alternative is to test, modify, then get rid of the car before the next test is due. (This ended uo being my actual plan of action)

 

What I want to know is how all the guys in california do it. I mean, how do you even pass visual without taking off all your mods?

 

either we take it to somebody we know who does smogs. OR bribe $$$

$150 MAX. should do it. but if he's STILL being an a$$, then just take it to the next guy. the way they usually see it is: "hmm an easy $150"

also there are various fluids and stuff you can put into your car. check out pep boys. thats what my friend did with his 400hp z28. but personally, im against putting unnecesary fluids/chemicals into my engine...

to pass visual inspection - most guys who mod rides also make sure not too look too flashy. instead of getting chromed intake/exhaust manifolds, instead of going all out rice with neons in the hood and all that junk - they keep everything black or stock pale. having a dirty engine bay helps also lol sometimes you just gotta work the system. good luck to ya!