Hi all,

I stumbled across the bar reference guide and am wondering if a State REF or police officers would abide by the rules listed. Is it enough to say "this part is this one from the EO list (without having a sticker)" or "according to this it doesn't need a sticker".


https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/APPENDIX%...%2012-2009.pdf


the "ask a ref" website operator doesn't have an answer at all, and is just someone who schedules appointments and says "everything needs a sticker". Anyone experienced going to the ref recently?

I'm bringing in a 2nd FD from another state and need to get it okay'd by the BAR, but it has a Greddy FMIC and HKS racing suction Intake (FD model is apparently not on 'carb approved' executive order). I'd rather not go through the hassle of putting that intake and FMIC back to stock; since it involves moving the radiator back and brackets I don't have.

 

no, not everything needs a sticker. you could print out that sheet but you should also accompany it by the EO sheet with your CARB numbers highlighted. anything modified you have on the car that does not have an EO number you can be reffed for though.

the intercooler is a legal mod, no EO number is needed for that. the intake though will need to be CARB certified. the Greddy Airinx system does have a CARB certification(no sticker on it though, and the only legal intake kit i know of), if you are looking for a high performance and legal alternative that fits without having to try and stuff a stock airbox back in.


these are a few ways to legally go about it.

 

Thanks for the info.

On the same note where do boost controllers fall in line here?
They don't really connect to emissions devices and just increase/hold boost settings. -- and they don't modify or plug into the ECU. (Would they be classified as governors?)

I know HKS has the EVC (I, II, EZ, IV) with an EO #; but would that same principle apply to all boost controllers the way they have a few Intercooler EO #'s, that don't necessarily need EOs?

Same rules apply as intakes for the EVC? No sticker required; but needs an EO# reference?

 

as far as i know boost controllers fall in line with intercoolers, they are grey area legal.


when i had to smog an FD with the above mods we had printed out the EO numbers and circled them for the smog tech and he ran it through the tests with no further questions asked. however he didn't know there was a PFC hidden where the stock ECU should be, lol.

 

Still don't understand why you're going straight to the state ref. Out of state cars don't require it.
A smog shop might let some grey areas slide. The ref will definitely not.

I can confirm smog shops will just take the number. Ref may go the extra step and confirm the brand/picture matches what is on the car.

For the boost controller, just remove the solenoid for the test and join the two tubes.

 

Thanks for the reply.

How would the state ref interpret that appendix link I posted?

It says any intake is fine without carb EO verification 1995 and older cars.

Same with intercooler with OEM turbo.

I'm sure a regular smog guy will let it go; but my transfer paperwork says needs to go to state ref for inspection rather than the STAR stations.

I can always drive up as is and hope for the best, but I'm getting work done to put on CA emissions as the car used to be CA - went out of state, had emissions removed, and now is going back to CA as a CA chassis.

If the boost controller is that easy to remove I'll probably just do that too.

 

Pre 1995 you can have whatever intake you want as long as all emissions control devices are still there. No CARB needed. But it gives law enforcement "probable cause" to inspect your vehicle.

Intercoolers ( charge air cooler ) is supposed to be OEM, but most places you can get away with aftermarket. Good luck with a Ref though.

Boost controllers and any aftermarket ECU, tuning, piggyback, etc. is illegal.

Any tampering with emissions control devices at all, is illegal.

Although I don't use it as a tech, I got my Smog license a couple years back

 

Talked to a ref multiple times.
Inter cooler legal, silicone inter cooler couplers legal, oil catch can legal, air intake setup legal. Water injection legal. And Catback.

The only thing the ref made me do is weld on fittings to the fmic to route to the Asv and aws valves.

I carry the paperwork for the appendix g in my car at all times to call out police. Honestly I'd rather have the bar reps who ride with police inspect my car than a police officer. They wouldn't even know what obd1/2 is

Obd2 cannot have silicone couplers.

I run rtek ecu with 550/820 injectors if they can even spot that.. Fmic with fittings for bac and stock bov going to custom air intake with all vacuum routing proper. About to hook up my oil catch can and buy a water meth kit

 

I did not know oil catch can was legal? Since it messes with the PCV I assumed it was not legal?

 

As far as I know, there is not one aftermarket part for a second gen that is CARB legal in California. Not a one.

 

I have not been able to get anyone to SMOG my FD here in North County because as soon as they see my PFS intercooler and no CARB sticker (and no Exemption Order) they send me away.

I have a PFS intercooler and a PFS cold air intake. They all say these are illegal without a CARB sticker (even though to my knowledge at least the intercooler doesn't matter, but I'm not sure about the air intake).

Do you know any Star smog stations that know this and will actually test my car?
Or if a Ref will give me some sort of exemption for the intercooler (and air intake)?

 

Talk to a ref and see if he can smog it. If he does, it’s only $8 for the certificate. I live one mile from the state ref so I’ve visited him often.

 

You have to route the Oil catch can exactly like the stock pcv system. Cannot have it vented to atmosphere.

 

Relief is on the way.....

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...jFQ?li=BBnbcA1

 

Just want to bump this since Im on the hunt to get an FD out here in the bay area. Not sure what the procedure is for bringing an out of state car in but it looks like its less stringent than an in state car? Do they sniffer everything that comes in the door at a smog place? And I am assuming RHD 25 year cars are just a flat out no go?

 

You have to smog everything. To get a grey market car legit you have to go through the BAR process, which is a PITA to the point you'd better just get a USDM car.

 

You can import a car from another country which is RHD and get it legal to drive on the street. I've met one person who did this with a 1991 Nissan Figaro or whatever it's called. They brought the car to CARB, and paid $4800 to have it inspected, California legal cats welded on, with all the paperwork and their car is in the system. Look it up. CARB has all the steps/requirements on their site. They say price ranges from $4000-$10000..... so is it worth it?