CA Smog

[poisonouschimp]

Has anyone passed a CA smog test in a gen2 ms3 with Corksport's high flow cat downpipe/racepipe + cat back exhaust? I am not worried about the visual inspection since the place I go to are hella lazy and don't even bother looking under the car.

Would the fuel pump upgrade have any effect on smog?

What is the likelihood of a 2010 passing with internals, SRI, TIP, high flow cat downpipe/racepipe, cat back exhaust?

[lilred]

Pretty sure no one has smogged a 2010 vehicle...

Fuel internals are fine.

tapafuck

[JFord]

Im interested in this also.

When is a smog due on a 2010?

[jseams]

Originally Posted by JFord Im interested in this also. When is a smog due on a 2010?

sometime around 2015-16....

[Domino81]

How does CA smog work?

[jseams]

Originally Posted by Domino81 How does CA smog work?

Starting January 1, 2005, owners of vehicles six or less model years old will pay an annual smog abatement fee for the first six registration years instead of being required to provide a biennial smog certification.

... other than that I believe that CA requires a sniffer test + visual inspection. They can be assholes about the visual from what I hear. I haven't had to go through it yet - I'm from Arizona where things aren't so tree-huggy. lol

[JFord]

Originally Posted by jseams sometime around 2015-16....

Hmmm, maybe I will get a DP. lol

[Todd98SE]

I'm dreading the first smog despite the fact that I have gone to great lengths to keep everything as stock looking as possible. Smog laws in this state are bullshit. I encourage everyone to support SEMA as much as possible as they are the only group really trying to fight against these stupid CARB E.O. mandates.

I need to find a way to talk my wife into moving to Austin, Texas. Better government, more guns, lower crime, less illegals, etc.

[Chev954]

Shit well I'm within that one year window since I'm an '07. Moving close to the Bay Area in March so time to deal with the smog nazis of America and their fascist regulations.

[SFWD 1934]

AB2289. Started January 2013. If you have someone who does visual you should be golden. For vehicle years 2000-up they are relying on the OBD 2 system to alert the tech of any issues. So basically if you have no CEL and have a place that will "gloss over" the visual there should be no issue.

Jason

[Ferdball]

They found my down pipe easily on a visual. My Synapse BPV was also an issue. I tool off my boost gauge while I was at it, just in case.

[poisonouschimp]

http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource...smog_check.pdf

So we just pay this Smog Abatement Fee (H&SC §44060[d,1]) (H&SC § 44060.5 [a]) $20.00 per year until our car is 6 years old? So we are looking about 2016 for the 2010 MS3 then. I guess running a cattless downpipe is safe then unless some dick cop pulls me and makes me get reffed.

Cool thanks for the info

[Mfinlay04]

What part of Cali? I got my MS6 smogged in San Diego with EGR valve capped off, and test pipe. And a non-carb CAI, actually its carb approved just to damn sticker. The shop is cool and the guy is chill

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Ferdball]

Originally Posted by Mfinlay04 What part of Cali? I got my MS6 smogged in San Diego with EGR valve capped off, and test pipe. And a non-carb CAI, actually its carb approved just to damn sticker. The shop is cool and the guy is chill Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Nice. I would say don't go to any place on miramar. Where did you go?

[Mfinlay04]

It was on Claremont mesa blvd. Tiny ass shop. Dude kept trying to run me on his 2wd dyno and i kept telling him it was awd. I just ran a e48 mix before I went so my emissions were all well under spec even with my test pipe

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Caligula]

Originally Posted by Mfinlay04 It was on Claremont mesa blvd. Tiny ass shop. Dude kept trying to run me on his 2wd dyno and i kept telling him it was awd. I just ran a e48 mix before I went so my emissions were all well under spec even with my test pipe Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Please PM me w/ details.

[Ferdball]

Originally Posted by Caligula Please PM me w/ details.

Dude, just stock out and be happy with your limp noodle like me.

[Caligula]

Originally Posted by Ferdball Dude, just stock out and be happy with your limp noodle like me.

Well the gay part is that I passed the emissions and "functionality" portions of the test. They failed me on visual for a "tampered exhaust system".

[msantana101]

Subbed for shop in SD


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ferdball]

Looks like we're the first wave of 6-year-old Cali members who will have to go through this. Sometimes I hate being an early adopter. I had to take my DP off anyway because the cat was completely bad.

I'm thinking that I may keep my first cat, then use a test pipe and catback. That might only get me to Stage 1.9, but its better than swapping the DP every two years. I still haven't decided yet though, so let me know if you find out anything good.

Originally Posted by msantana101 Subbed for shop in SD

That's going to be funny when "Fred" starts to get a huge influx of mazdaspeed3's.

[sidekick]

Originally Posted by SFWD 1934 AB2289. Started January 2013. If you have someone who does visual you should be golden. For vehicle years 2000-up they are relying on the OBD 2 system to alert the tech of any issues. So basically if you have no CEL and have a place that will "gloss over" the visual there should be no issue. Jason

Unfortunately, they check readiness codes though. If you have DTCs turned off through an AP, I believe the readiness codes still show that something is up and they will fail you. I'm not 100% positive on that though.

I'm think of just staying with the stock down pipe and going with a test pipe to avoid having to do a DP install twice every two years. I've heard it is quite a bitch on these cars. I don't think that 10HP is worth the hassle. I think an E85 mix will more than make up for the lack of a downpipe.

Can anyone expand on how E85 mixes will help you pass smog? Is it just that it actually creates less emissions or that the machines they use are supposed to be used only for gas emissions?

[TRSpeed]

Subbed lol pretty sure I have a hook up still but just incase.

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

[Haltech]

Ca visual are cock suckers. Some shops can send tampered emission findings to bar. Your car gets flagged and you are sent a letter from ca dmc requiring you to goto the local smog ref.

So be careful how many times you try to smog with "tampered exhaust" so you don't get reported.

Visual inspections consist of egr, Pcv, both cats and charcoal fuel canister.

[CorkSport]

Originally Posted by Haltech Ca visual are cock suckers. Some shops can send tampered emission findings to bar. Your car gets flagged and you are sent a letter from ca dmc requiring you to goto the local smog ref. So be careful how many times you try to smog with "tampered exhaust" so you don't get reported. Visual inspections consist of egr, Pcv, both cats and charcoal fuel canister.

So they look up your skirt, take you for all your worth, then turn you in for it without paying.... Sounds about right for emissions down there.

[sidekick]

Originally Posted by CorkSport So they look up your skirt, take you for all your worth, then turn you in for it without paying.... Sounds about right for emissions down there.

Anything you guys can do about making a downpipe with two cats instead of one? Gotta beat the system somehow

[CorkSport]

Originally Posted by boost_addict Anything you guys can do about making a downpipe with two cats instead of one? Gotta beat the system somehow

There are some fun rules with cali and catalysts. Any cat labelled as performance is illegal. We could have 5 cats on the setup and it still would be illegal in their eyes.

-Derrick

[Haltech]

Originally Posted by CorkSport There are some fun rules with cali and catalysts. Any cat labelled as performance is illegal. We could have 5 cats on the setup and it still would be illegal in their eyes. -Derrick

Correct. Unless the converters are 50 state smog legal, they are consider performance. However, very few shops actually look at the serial or make of said converters. They just do a count based off what the sticker says.

Corksport could make a DP with 2 high flow converters on them and you would pass the visual at most places in ca, but no guarantees. At least with Corksports dsp's, you can removed the second converter and replace with race pipe.

[Caligula]

Originally Posted by Haltech At least with Corksports dsp's, you can removed the second converter and replace with race pipe.

True, but then you would be missing the upper cat, which would also cause you to fail.

Oh, here are the specifics on the new STAR CA smog regs.

http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/PubWebQu...red[1].pdf

I dont have time to read all of this right now but it seems useful.

[Haltech]

Originally Posted by Caligula True, but then you would be missing the upper cat, which would also cause you to fail.

Clearly, you did not read where I said they can install 2 converters.. One on the piece at the turbo and the other at race pipe location.

[sidekick]

Originally Posted by Haltech Correct. Unless the converters are 50 state smog legal, they are consider performance. However, very few shops actually look at the serial or make of said converters. They just do a count based off what the sticker says. Corksport could make a DP with 2 high flow converters on them and you would pass the visual at most places in ca, but no guarantees. At least with Corksports dsp's, you can removed the second converter and replace with race pipe.

This is what I meant. I know that it will technically be illegal, but it will LOOK right to most smog techs. They are just checking to make sure it is there. Most are too lazy to write down the EO #s and check them. I want to run a downpipe, but I also don't want to change it out twice every two years just to pass the stupid visual inspection.

So, basically what I'm asking is, would @CorkSport; be willing to do a one-off (or maybe GB) for a downpipe with one cat in the stock location in the DP and one in the race-pipe section as well?

I'm not asking for a guarantee that it will pass, but this may be our best shot at passing without paying $200+ per smog. E85 helps quite a bit with the actual numbers, so the visual inspection is the main problem.

See here as well:
http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...n-time-136136/

[yurples]

off a simple intake will they nab you, i have a feeling ca is THAT GAY with smog....

[sidekick]

Originally Posted by Caligula True, but then you would be missing the upper cat, which would also cause you to fail. Oh, here are the specifics on the new STAR CA smog regs. http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/PubWebQu...0924_chaptered[1].pdf I dont have time to read all of this right now but it seems useful.

That link is broken BTW, but your thread and my own concern about visual inspections, when that time comes, are why I asked if it would be possible for them to make a downpipe with 2 cats. It would be even better if they left the racepipe flanged so that the second cat could be swapped for a catless racepipe.

[Caligula]

I suppose you could always chop and install a cat in the upper section yourself. That's what I did with my M2 DP, however its a single piece unit.

Originally Posted by boost_addict That link is broken BTW.

It works, its just the linking system that didnt like it. Copy and paste the URL into your browser.


edit: here:

http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/PubWebQu...red[1].pdf

Originally Posted by Haltech Clearly, you did not read where I said they can install 2 converters.. One on the piece at the turbo and the other at race pipe location.

I read it, I just misunderstood what you were saying.

[sidekick]

Originally Posted by yurples off a simple intake will they nab you, i have a feeling ca is THAT GAY with smog....

It depends on the shop. Yet another reason why the smog here is so stupid. It's all up to the shop really, they can decide whether or not they care if your mods have EO #'s or not. Some will check and some won't. Some only care about you passing a sniffer test, while others will go over your car with a fine-toothed comb. There are even specific test stations they will send you to, if they want your car to be checked more thoroughly.

[Caligula]

Funny enough, my intake actually has a CARB EO number.

[rlapid]

i recently purchased an 07 MS3 and to my dismay, the dmv is requiring a smog certificate due to the change in ownership. i know for sure it won't pass - CEL is on due to my DP. i am taking the car to a shop this weekend to get the factory part put back on and get the dmv off my back.

am i going about this the right way? any suggestions out there? thanks guys!

[Caligula]

Originally Posted by rlapid i recently purchased an 07 MS3 and to my dismay, the dmv is requiring a smog certificate due to the change in ownership. i know for sure it won't pass - CEL is on due to my DP. i am taking the car to a shop this weekend to get the factory part put back on and get the dmv off my back. am i going about this the right way? any suggestions out there? thanks guys!

You're 100% fucked because of that catless DP. I welded a cat into mine so I could possibly pass a sniffer test (which I did), as well as to avoid throwing a CEL due to no cat being between the 02 sensors (which I also did). In your case, you will (should) fail not only visual inspection, but also the OBD-II DTC scan, as well as any standard tailpipe emissions testing.

That being said, by putting the stock DP back on you are literally doing "the right thing", and if you don't mind spending the time and/or money to do this, its the fail-safe way of passing smog. I might suggest that you add a single high flow cat between the 02 sensors while the DP is out of the car to avoid this situation in the future, though. An alternative (just to avoid the CEL issue), there are a few "tricks" you can do to avoid that DTC from coming on. A quick search should get you the info you need, but IIRC you can do stuff like putting an "extender" of sorts on the 02 sensor, to keep it out of the exhaust flow, etc...

Also your car needs to be smogged this year, regardless on who owns it. Just like me, your 6 year grace period for "smog abatement" is up.

[fredricktsang]

Originally Posted by CorkSport So they look up your skirt, take you for all your worth, then turn you in for it WHILE HAVING YOU PAY FOR IT.... Sounds about right for emissions down there.

fixed

[Todd98SE]

Originally Posted by Caligula You're 100% fucked because of that catless DP. I welded a cat into mine so I could possibly pass a sniffer test (which I did), as well as to avoid throwing a CEL due to no cat being between the 02 sensors (which I also did). In your case, you will (should) fail not only visual inspection, but also the OBD-II DTC scan, as well as any standard tailpipe emissions testing. That being said, by putting the stock DP back on you are literally doing "the right thing", and if you don't mind spending the time and/or money to do this, its the fail-safe way of passing smog. I might suggest that you add a single high flow cat between the 02 sensors while the DP is out of the car to avoid this situation in the future, though. An alternative (just to avoid the CEL issue), there are a few "tricks" you can do to avoid that DTC from coming on. A quick search should get you the info you need, but IIRC you can do stuff like putting an "extender" of sorts on the 02 sensor, to keep it out of the exhaust flow, etc... Also your car needs to be smogged this year, regardless on who owns it. Just like me, your 6 year grace period for "smog abatement" is up.

Yes if you are going to remove and replace the downpipe for smog you might as well add a high flow cat with v-bands while it is out of the car. This way next smog your can swap in the cat instead of the straight pipe.

[Ferdball]

Originally Posted by Todd98SE Yes if you are going to remove and replace the downpipe for smog you might as well add a high flow cat with v-bands while it is out of the car. This way next smog your can swap in the cat instead of the straight pipe.

How hard would it be to cut out your OEM cats, add the V-band flanges, and have it mate up to a 3" pipe? Because if you screw up, you lose your $800 cats.