To all those that modify their SC's (ie turbo, headers, etc etc) how do you manage to pass smog checks? I only ask because I live in California and I see a couple turbo SC's in Cali.

 

you gotta have a friend who will take care of you....

 

I'm NA-T and just did a smog check here in Ohio. The catalytic converter had 140k miles, was 11yrs old, and had leaded gas run through it. It didn't pass the first time around, got a 152 HC reading. After a replacement converter was installed (just a junk universal one on a bent pipe), the car passed the smog check with an HC of 56 out of 110 ppm limit. Other stuff like NOX and CO2 were fine. The system here in Ohio uses a dyno test at around 30mph. I can't vouch for CA, but I understand that an aftermarket turbo may not pass visual inspection. Ohio has no real visual inspection to speak of (or perhaps they didn't suspect anything because of the lack of visual cues i.e. no gauges or mufflers visible, etc.)

 

Here in Nevada, as long as the parts you put on the engine are newer than the year the car was made it's legal. You still have to pass smog but, you can add anything to the engine or even do an engine swap as long as it's from a newer year.

 

I think this topic should be taken to PM. Please dont dicuss any information about amog online. You dont know who is reading this thread. FYI

 

Who cares who's reading this thread? You think the Cali EPA is gonna subpoena CL to give up the user's identity? All for suggesting how to get the car to meet smog regs? If we're suggesting ways to get emmisssions levels into compliance, why the heck would they care?