CA Smog Check??
 

I've been living in San Diego for 2 years now with my 86 and I currently have Invidia N1 catback w/ midpipe. I am at the point where I want Aftermarket header (MXP to be exact). Would i run into problems getting a smog check and when do i have to get one?

You should be fine unless you throw a CEL with the header. They don't drive the car anymore, they just plug it into the OBD 2 port.

I was going to tune it with the headers. So i guess i'll run into a problem huh.

depends on the smog shop, but chances are most shops will still fail you on the visual test even if the OBD2 test passes. the BAR has been cracking down hard on smog stations, so it's harder and harder to find a shop that will bend the rules even a little bit since their licenses are on the line.

^they will check any aftermarket parts on the car for CARB stickers and then run the # on it to be sure it is for that exact veh. It is rough in California

You will not be fine. Almost every smog shop in CA does a thorough visual inspection looking for aftermarket parts and SMOG exempt stickers.
You have 5 years from build date before the vehicle has to be smogged.
Your best bet is to keep the stock manifold to swap back in when it's time for inspection.
You however can be cited for driving with a modified header or removed cat.
Risk v. reward.

Yeah this citation isn't fun. It is called a REF ticket it is usually $800-$1000 and requires you to go to the BAR to have the car smogged and certified. You can't go to just any smog shop for this one. I have had 2...so I would know....:bonk:

I had one -for a modified intake manifold- in my Rx7 that was registered out of state. I went in for an inspection just for the hell of it, & the car was labeled a gross polluter and is not allowed to be registered in this state(one of my life's greatest accomplishments). In the end the ticket cost me just under $900. Also why I know that it doesn't matter what state your car is registered in, if it is operating on CA highways it needs to meet CA laws.

Can't you swap back to stock prior to it being inspected?

yes and that is recommended. if not, the above advices is more of a warning to others of the high chance (almost guarantee. lol) of failing.

Kinda off topic-ish.

But I wish someone would design a heat shield (similar to OEM) for aftermarket UEL headers. With that I think you would pass a visual inspection.

Yes you can swap back and you should. Just want to make it clear a smog shop will not cit you for a ref ticket only fail your smog test that time. All that means is you would need to do something to correct the issue and come back and pay another $50 to test again. ONLY A POLICE OFFICER CAN CIT YOU A REF TICKET

Ok, so if you were cited a ref ticket...

You have to immediately go get your car inspected? Thus failing if you're aftermarket? Is there no time buffer lol?

Car is illegal to drive if you are cited. It would be impounded if pulled over again without fixing everything

TECHNICALLY, when you get a ref ticket, itll say right on the ticket that the vehicle needs to be immediately removed off the roads. So short of an impound (the cop is either a **** or you have crazy smog-illegal mods), the cop will tell you to immediately head home and park the car and not drive it. most cops will let you drive it home though as long as the infraction isnt severe and you werent driving like an asshole.

This is what the sticker looks like on the ticket when you get a ref ticket (i got this a couple months ago)

I rember that sticker. I made my appointment and being a smart a$$, I asked, "how am I supposed to get there if I'm not allowed to drive it." They told me to have it towed to the ref. LOL I did no such thing!!! Since my car wasn't regstered in CA I could still drive it anyway. I never had any issues in the numerous other times I was stopped. I just payed the ticket. I couldn't ever register that car here anyway.

This was about a year before I moved here.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0vbPTuvCzs"]Hyper4mance2k's RX-7 on the dyno - YouTube[/ame]

So, is receiving the citation pretty much and $800-1000 fee. Or is it when you take it in and they see that its illegal. I'm confused lol. :eyebulge:

• CA registered - you would need to smog on/after the 6th year of production. So the earliest date you would need to smog is June 2018 since most people got their cars starting June 2012.
• Not CA registered - you don't need to smog but you may still get a ticket. Smog schedule based on whatever state the car is registered in.
• Smog will be an issue if you have a CEL or if the header fails the visual inspection. Since the header is without a cat, you will also fail the tailpipe test.

-alex

citation/ticket fine depends on the exact violation you get marked for, but it can be anywhere from $500-ish to over $1k.

going to the ref station has its own fee of about $100-200 for the inspection and sign-off.

these are two separate fees. the actual fine amount can be disputed in court if you choose to (or can if you do get ref sign off).

Do they ever give you trouble for modified exhausts or is it only with headers, cat deletes? Usually it's everything before the cat unless it's over the dB level.

mine was for a catback exhaust. stock everything else on my engine. but then again, i got unlucky and ran into a d*ck cop. most cops have been pretty chill tho *knock on wood*

I have a shop where we do smog and I am a certified smog tech.

We do a visual inspection on everything and if a part like headers or intake is A/F we check for a CARB label if there is none we have to fail the car. Anything after the cat that is replaced doesnt matter for example having cat back exhaust would bother.

As far as emissions we dont do dyno testing anymore on 2000 and newer cars. So its visual and odb2 testing. If you have a tune you will most likely fail also.

Also cars dont get smogged for the first 6 years when bought brand new unless the car comes from out of state then it must get inspected.

I think I have more then enough information now concerning the subject. Thanks everyone for your input.