Pre-Californian Question - Smog Test

[thekidd]

My family is moving to NorCal early next year but I am concerned about the California smog test. Washington recently got rid of their emissions testing so I run a catless dp. I did retain oem mid pipes and have a Dinan muffler (I believe this is still catted). Do I need to worry about passing this smog test after/when I register my 15' F80? I heard a trick is to run the engine for thirty minutes and don't turn it off. But, is this only needed if you're completely catless? Thanks in advance!

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by thekidd

My family is moving to NorCal early next year but I am concerned about the California smog test. Washington recently got rid of their emissions testing so I run a catless dp. I did retain oem mid pipes and have a Dinan muffler (I believe this is still catted). Do I need to worry about passing this smog test after/when I register my 15' F80? I heard a trick is to run the engine for thirty minutes and don't turn it off. But, is this only needed if you're completely catless? Thanks in advance!

Yes. Once a car is over… I think 8 years old, the smog abatement fee is gone and you will will need to run normal smog or STAR smog checks depending on what the state wants for your car. A STAR inspection costs more than a normal SMOG check. California still does normal emission testing every 2 years.

Registering a car from out of state requires a bit more work as if I can recall you need to get a DMV VIN inspection and a smog check (even if your car is less than 8 years old.)

If you have a tune, they will also check for that and even flashing back changes the checksum. I forgot a lot of the details but this was enforced in 2021 and since I don’t tune my car, I didn’t bother reading more. CARB legal tunes are still allowed.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/cali...fications/amp/

[thekidd]

Originally Posted by N1rve

Yes. Once a car is over… I think 8 years old, the smog abatement fee is gone and you will will need to run normal smog or STAR smog checks depending on what the state wants for your car. A STAR inspection costs more than a normal SMOG check. California still does normal emission testing every 2 years.

Registering a car from out of state requires a bit more work as if I can recall you need to get a DMV VIN inspection and a smog check (even if your car is less than 8 years old.)

If you have a tune, they will also check for that and even flashing back changes the checksum. I forgot a lot of the details but this was enforced in 2021 and since I don’t tune my car, I didn’t bother reading more. CARB legal tunes are still allowed.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/cali...fications/amp/

Thanks for sharing the information. I found more chatter around and am getting the feeling it might be safest to sell my car before moving just to be safe. Reverting the tune sounds simple enough but I would cross my fingers the codes match.

[00SH4WN]

In order to register the car in CA (any year) you will need to have it smogged.

My experience: Bought my car in a another state and even though it was less than a year old and had only a couple thousand miles on the odometer I was required to get it inspected at the DMV and smogged (Star station wasn't needed). Since the battery was disconnected while it was transported; I had to get it smog ready by driving it on the freeway for 15 minutes...the hard part: driving it on the freeway at no more than 3000 RPM


https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicl...g-inspections/

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1464248

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by thekidd

Thanks for sharing the information. I found more chatter around and am getting the feeling it might be safest to sell my car before moving just to be safe. Reverting the tune sounds simple enough but I would cross my fingers the codes match.

Might be safer depending on how much you did to your car.

[thekidd]

Originally Posted by 00SH4WN

In order to register the car in CA (any year) you will need to have it smogged.

My experience: Bought my car in a another state and even though it was less than a year old and had only a couple thousand miles on the odometer I was required to get it inspected at the DMV and smogged (Star station wasn't needed). Since the battery was disconnected while it was transported; I had to get it smog ready by driving it on the freeway for 15 minutes...the hard part: driving it on the freeway at no more than 3000 RPM


https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicl...g-inspections/

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1464248

Thanks for the info! Is this a state-wide policy or more county/city? What happens if you fail? Honestly can’t you just pay a fine? Ultimately California just wants money right?

[00SH4WN]

Originally Posted by thekidd

Thanks for the info! Is this a state-wide policy or more county/city? What happens if you fail? Honestly can’t you just pay a fine? Ultimately California just wants money right?

State. I've never failed a smog test before (other than the time where the readiness code was set). I would imagine that you would have to make necessary repairs and retest.

LOL...it's always about money

[thekidd]

Originally Posted by 00SH4WN

State. I've never failed a smog test before (other than the time where the readiness code was set). I would imagine that you would have to make necessary repairs and retest.

LOL...it's always about money

I’ll likely have my pipes removed and replaced back with stock 😔at least I can tune back to stock. Sounds like whoever tracks their car doesn’t have any exhaust modifications or is able to do the work themselves.

[Tangent]

Originally Posted by thekidd

... Sounds like whoever tracks their car doesn’t have any exhaust modifications or is able to do the work themselves.

Or knows a guy that'll pass them for a few extra bucks. That's probably getting a lot harder to find since the penalties are pretty steep now but it still happens.

[thekidd]

Originally Posted by Tangent

Or knows a guy that'll pass them for a few extra bucks. That's probably getting a lot harder to find since the penalties are pretty steep now but it still happens.

I called around and it’s hard to find a shop willing. It’s looking like I have to take them off and then showcase them on the wall.

[Jonwho2]

Check out the how to pass smog tread in the general forums. You dont need to go back to stock. Just install some "defoulers ($15) on your downstream o2 sensors. You can also buy "minicats" but they are a lot more expensive.

Dont worry about midpipes, every shop ive been too dont seem to look/care. There are shops that will pa$$ you but its about $400+ and you cant have a failed smog on your CA DMV record.
I just passed smog with catless last month using defoulers. GL

[thekidd]

Originally Posted by Jonwho2

Check out the how to pass smog tread in the general forums. You dont need to go back to stock. Just install some "defoulers ($15) on your downstream o2 sensors. You can also buy "minicats" but they are a lot more expensive.

Dont worry about midpipes, every shop ive been too dont seem to look/care. There are shops that will pa$$ you but its about $400+ and you cant have a failed smog on your CA DMV record.
I just passed smog with catless last month using defoulers. GL

I wish I was confident enough to do this myself. Getting under there, removing, and adding the defoulers sounds more complex than an oil change. I called around to different shops and at least up north no one seems willing.

Anyone in the Sacramento area able to help? 🥺