Smogging your boosted car??

[ldawson77777]

This is a total curiousity question aimed at anyone who has a boosted car...

What in the world are you going to do with your boosted and heavily modded car when you have to go get it smogged?

I guess some states are a little more forgiving, but here in Cali., they sure are not. I have no intention of adding boost to my car currently, I'm just very curious to see what you people are doing to solve this, shall I say, dilemma...

[Torredo]

this is a funny one!

where i live NO SMOG is required, however only 3.5hrs away they
are strict on it.

So if i was to slap on a booster aka Turbo, then wtf cares in mah city!

but im sure in the U.S almost all states are anal on smog right?

[pogi666ako]

Well in Cali it is mandatory to get your car smogged every 4 yrs. I just hope my Greddy kit gets a E.O. # b4 then

Edit: I also hope I dont get pulled over b4 then too. or else turbo...

[webby]

I've seen countless people on other forums make friends with the people doing the checks. Not that this is legal in any way shape or form, but I know that many boosted people just fork over cash to the person doing the check and they just print them a pass for their car.

[Dwn4nythng]

a couple of bills would get ya a smog if ya know the right people.

[pogi666ako]

Originally Posted by webby

I've seen countless people on other forums make friends with the people doing the checks. Not that this is legal in any way shape or form, but I know that many boosted people just fork over cash to the person doing the check and they just print them a pass for their car.

True, but if you get pulled over and get sent to the state referee you F'ed.

[stevenshizzle]

I do not mean to threadjack, but here is my insight on the whole shpeal:

My car has a cold air intake. I think it will pass the sniffer (they dyno sniff and hookup to ecu in Illinois). With a RT highflow cat, I should still be fine given that I use an O2 Sim. Finally, a nice deep exhaust without a fart can will keep me quiet in the testing facility.

I have logically concluded that any well tuned vehicle will pass emissions. The WRX Sti is turbocharged straight from the factory and meets emissions requirements. Same goes for the Dodge Viper, the Corvette, and any Porsche you can get your hands on.

I think with tuning, I will never encounter a problem. With tuning.

Anyone? What are your thoughts on my logic? Sound right or completely hogwash and a basket of flying penguins?

[mikepesikan]

No smog test in the county I live in.

[GeezerSi]

I have to pass an emission test here in PA, which is why I won't get the Hondata reflash since it won't pass. I am getting a CAI, Header, and hi-flow catback, which will pass. Eventually I will consider the Greddy turbo kit, which will also pass our emission test. I want to wait at least another year to make sure any chance for warranty work is minimized before I add the turbo.

I would still be concerned for those who do not presently have emission testing, and have modified their cars. I've seen a nearby county that wasn't required become mandated for emission testing last year. At that point you better be able to fix your car, or pay someone under the table.

[cappykd]

Originally Posted by GeezerSi

I have to pass an emission test here in PA, which is why I won't get the Hondata reflash since it won't pass. I am getting a CAI, Header, and hi-flow catback, which will pass. Eventually I will consider the Greddy turbo kit, which will also pass our emission test. I want to wait at least another year to make sure any chance for warranty work is minimized before I add the turbo.

I would still be concerned for those who do not presently have emission testing, and have modified their cars. I've seen a nearby county that wasn't required become mandated for emission testing last year. At that point you better be able to fix your car, or pay someone under the table.

Who says the Hondata reflash won't pass? I have 5 years to worry about it but why do you say it won't pass. The reflash is undetectable by Honda and didn't mess with A/F ratios so how would it make you fail?

[GeezerSi]

Originally Posted by cappykd

Who says the Hondata reflash won't pass? I have 5 years to worry about it but why do you say it won't pass. The reflash is undetectable by Honda and didn't mess with A/F ratios so how would it make you fail?

Our emission test requires hookup through the CPU. The test results are downloaded straight to Harrisburg. The difference in the CPU would be detected immediately. I have checked this, believe me. If I could, I would buy the reflash in a heartbeat otherwise.

[pogi666ako]

Originally Posted by stevenshizzle

I do not mean to threadjack, but here is my insight on the whole shpeal:

My car has a cold air intake. I think it will pass the sniffer (they dyno sniff and hookup to ecu in Illinois). With a RT highflow cat, I should still be fine given that I use an O2 Sim. Finally, a nice deep exhaust without a fart can will keep me quiet in the testing facility.

I have logically concluded that any well tuned vehicle will pass emissions. The WRX Sti is turbocharged straight from the factory and meets emissions requirements. Same goes for the Dodge Viper, the Corvette, and any Porsche you can get your hands on.

I think with tuning, I will never encounter a problem. With tuning.

Anyone? What are your thoughts on my logic? Sound right or completely hogwash and a basket of flying penguins?

Factory turbos are one thing, aftermarket are another.

[bboylocob]

no smog in new orleans!!!!!

[pogi666ako]

Originally Posted by GeezerSi

Our emission test requires hookup through the CPU. The test results are downloaded straight to Harrisburg. The difference in the CPU would be detected immediately. I have checked this, believe me. If I could, I would buy the reflash in a heartbeat otherwise.

How often does it have to get smogged?

[cappykd]

Originally Posted by GeezerSi

Our emission test requires hookup through the CPU. The test results are downloaded straight to Harrisburg. The difference in the CPU would be detected immediately. I have checked this, believe me. If I could, I would buy the reflash in a heartbeat otherwise.

Our Test's in California do the same thing only ours adds a dyno run in there as well. If Honda can't detect the reflash why do you think PennDot can. Who did you check with? BTW I lived in PA for 27 years so I'm familiar with there emissions laws, in fact my whole family still lives there.

[cappykd]

Originally Posted by pogi666ako

Factory turbos are one thing, aftermarket are another.

With proper tuning an aftermarket turbo will pass just fine, however that tuning is likely to have to be de-tuning.

[nofd1977]

Originally Posted by bboylocob

no smog in new orleans!!!!!

Hell no baby!

[cappykd]

Originally Posted by GeezerSi

Our emission test requires hookup through the CPU. The test results are downloaded straight to Harrisburg. The difference in the CPU would be detected immediately. I have checked this, believe me. If I could, I would buy the reflash in a heartbeat otherwise.

The following quote is from the California Air Resource Board and I believe PA follows CARB standards to a lesser degree.

How is Smog Check affected by OBD II?

In areas of the state subject to the enhanced Smog Check, technicians are required to perform an OBD II check (visual and functional) during the Smog Check inspection. Specifically, the technician checks for an illuminated warning light and the Smog Check test equipment communicates with the on-board computer for fault information. If a fault code is currently causing the light to be on, you need to have the malfunctioning component repaired or replaced before you can pass the test. Additionally, if too many readiness flags are "incomplete", the vehicle has not been operated enough to allow all of the self-diagnostics to run. The vehicle will need to be driven more before the vehicle can be tested to pass. In the future, OBD II-equipped vehicles may not even have to undergo a tailpipe test. Technicians would simply be required to perform the OBD inspection. More detailed information about California's current OBD II-based Smog Check program can be found at

The only thing they look for are CEL's and to make sure that the ECU hasn't been recently reset. I'd be amazed if PA had the ability to do more thorough tests than Cali. Also according to the following document CAN bus equiped vehicles are not even OBD2 testable yet.

http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/ftp/pdfdocs/APPENDIX_J.pdf

They are exempt in CA from ECU testing.

[pogi666ako]

Originally Posted by cappykd

With proper tuning an aftermarket turbo will pass just fine, however that tuning is likely to have to be de-tuning.

Im not just talking about the tune. Its also the visual inspection. regular smog I can handle its the state referee you have to be worried about.

[cappykd]

Originally Posted by pogi666ako

Im not just talking about the tune. Its also the visual inspection. regular smog I can handle its the state referee you have to be worried about.

That could be an issue but with the turbo hidden in the back of the engine, as long as you have a CAT you should be ok. It depends on where you go.