Legal CA Mods?

[skawt01]

Thanks for the info guys. My response from Cobb gave me the impression they weren't moving forward w/ CARB EO# at this time.

I'm all to familiar w/ this, having put an Injen SRI on my Scion that was not CARB legal, then failing smog, having to replace the SRI w/ stock airbox to pass visual inspection. Total pain.

I just want an intake I can install on the 2010 MS3 and forget about, aside from cleanings. Looks like I'll have to wait a while.

As far as exhaust, what's the point in putting a nice shiny pipe on this car only to have it covered in black soot all the time? Cat back performance improvements are nil, so exhaust mods on this car seem pointless, at least in Calif.

[Zeya]

Originally Posted by skawt01 As far as exhaust, what's the point in putting a nice shiny pipe on this car only to have it covered in black soot all the time? Cat back performance improvements are nil, so exhaust mods on this car seem pointless, at least in Calif.

That's more or less true unless you are deleting catalysts. A common easy mod is to replace the stock catted midpipe with a catless one. That can net you a few ponies. But then you'll have to change it back at some point for the smog, which is against the OP question of legal mods.

[jv92red]

My question for the OP is what do you qualify as legal? Legal as in a Cop looking at things? A smog tech looking at things? Or the sniffer test the smog tech does when he shoves his probe up your cars exhaust hole? Or simply modifying or changing the stock smog equipment as stipulated by law as illegal?

My point is this - buy a stock mid-pipe off the for sale ads and gut it. Stash your stock mid pipe in your garage for smog testing.(maybe not - read on) Now when your driving around if you get pulled over your completely "visually" legal. Now when it comes time for a smog test sure your 1 cat down but your still running the stock 1st cat. Chances are the sniffer test will register you as dirtier than the average MS3 (the results compare your results against other MS3's) but as long as your under the maximum allowable emissions then you will pass the sniffer*. As far as the visual, the smog techs only look under your car to check for the cat. They don't know it's gutted by looking at it. Worst case scenario - you don't pass the sniffer test and have to go back home to swap out the gutted mid-pipe for your stock unit. re-test for free (many of the inspection places in CA are pass or don't pay which means your re-tests are free until you pass) and your done.

Ok, how's this sound? This post is more of reflection of thought into a theory that I would like further proven or deemed incorrect so I can learn from this also. Anyone with experience with this?

*DISCLAIMER: I have no idea how your car will test without a 2nd cat. I'm just guessing since as far as I know I have not seen anyone try and smog their car yet with a gutted mid-pipe and all else being stock. Also, any modification or removal of catalysts is strictly prohibited by law and subject to hefty fines and possible ass reaming behind bars.

[Zeya]

I'm not sure if one cat is enough to pass the sniffer. I mean maybe it is. Has anyone reading this actually tried?

[Dash08]

Originally Posted by jv92red My question for the OP is what do you qualify as legal? Legal as in a Cop looking at things? A smog tech looking at things? Or the sniffer test the smog tech does when he shoves his probe up your cars exhaust hole? Or simply modifying or changing the stock smog equipment as stipulated by law as illegal? My point is this - buy a stock mid-pipe off the for sale ads and gut it. Stash your stock mid pipe in your garage for smog testing.(maybe not - read on) Now when your driving around if you get pulled over your completely "visually" legal. Now when it comes time for a smog test sure your 1 cat down but your still running the stock 1st cat. Chances are the sniffer test will register you as dirtier than the average MS3 (the results compare your results against other MS3's) but as long as your under the maximum allowable emissions then you will pass the sniffer*. As far as the visual, the smog techs only look under your car to check for the cat. They don't know it's gutted by looking at it. Worst case scenario - you don't pass the sniffer test and have to go back home to swap out the gutted mid-pipe for your stock unit. re-test for free (many of the inspection places in CA are pass or don't pay which means your re-tests are free until you pass) and your done. Ok, how's this sound? This post is more of reflection of thought into a theory that I would like further proven or deemed incorrect so I can learn from this also. Anyone with experience with this? *DISCLAIMER: I have no idea how your car will test without a 2nd cat. I'm just guessing since as far as I know I have not seen anyone try and smog their car yet with a gutted mid-pipe and all else being stock. Also, any modification or removal of catalysts is strictly prohibited by law and subject to hefty fines and possible ass reaming behind bars.

That's a great theory and all, but it's fucking game over if the cop, ref, or smog tech decides to tap on the mid pipe to see that it's actually filled.

[xchrislee]

Sorry to necro an old thread, but the corksport sri + tip are carb legal now (which is one of the big reasons I chose to purchase it).

Failing visuals is the fucking stupidest crap ever.

[emag remrofni]

Why don't you guys just pay the $20 so you don't have to smog your shit every year??

Fuck that police nigga

‪N.W.A. - Fuck Tha Police + Lyrics‬‏ - YouTube

‪N.W.A. - Fuck Tha Police + Lyrics‬‏ - YouTube

[DONOTBUGME]

Brand new cars dont have to get smogged for 5 years, then its every other year after that. Never heard of this 20 dollar thing.

[shawn.]

fuck the police

if you're gonna mod, go all out with BT and just outrun the 5-0.

know someone/pay off shop for inspections.

fuck the police

[TexasSpeed3]

move to texas... strap a fucking jet engine on the car and pass inspection.

[xchrislee]

Originally Posted by donotbugme Brand new cars dont have to get smogged for 5 years, then its every other year after that. Never heard of this 20 dollar thing.

20 dollars is the abatement fee - what you pay each year for having a new car for the first 6 years instead of taking it into smog.