02-19-2015, 05:24 PM | #1 |
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Moving to Bay Area - Smog Question
Hey NorCal folks! I'm moving to the bay area in March (My company is relocating me there from Washington).
I currently have a full catless (Akra catless DP and catless midpipe) setup on my 2015 M4 - Can someone help me with what I'll need to do to register my car in CA? I believe I need to register in 20 days and also need to pass smog. I'm assuming I'll need to reinstall my stock DP - Will I pass smog with stock DP if I have a catless midpipe or will I need to go find a full stock exhaust? Do smog stations put in a sniffer in the exhaust or do they just read OBDII codes? I did some searches but didn't get a super clear answer.. Thanks!!! |
02-19-2015, 05:30 PM | #2 | ||
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02-19-2015, 05:43 PM | #3 |
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When I registered my M4, since I brought it from out of country (out of state will be the same), I had to get an initial smog check done on it. From that point on, you get a 5 year waiver on smog checks, you just have to pay a smog abatement fee each year.
Now, that original smog check was interesting, and it looks like it is the way all smog checks in California will be done. No tailpipe sniffer, they just plug into the OBDII port and read various settings, check for codes, and see what the ECU has to tell them about smog. But it's more than just checking for OBDII codes, the modern ECUs actually are able to report on various smog related readings, more intricate/complex than just codes. Bottom line: you will definitely fail with catless downpipes, you will probably fail with the catless midpipes (maybe, maybe not), but once you fail once, you will likely get flagged in the system. So, what I would do is put the entire stock system back on, and then after you get your smog certificate, happily mode away, for at least the next five years.
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02-19-2015, 05:53 PM | #4 |
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02-19-2015, 05:53 PM | #5 | |
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02-19-2015, 06:08 PM | #6 | |
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I do not approve. Hornet doesn't like south! She'll be afraid some vegan will try to eat her!
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02-20-2015, 10:33 PM | #8 | |
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They will just read your OBD-2 codes. No sniffer. You won't pass the readiness tests unless you have a tune (which I don't think there is one yet). That said, a catless midpipe SHOULD pass since it won't throw any CELs being behind the primary cats and secondary 02 sensors. That said, I would not take chances - if you fail you get flagged and you'll get the 2 year mandatory tests with a sniffer. |
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02-20-2015, 11:34 PM | #9 | |
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02-20-2015, 11:59 PM | #10 | ||
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Or let me say good bye to the car that had the best name in all of WA. Anyway, a meet here before she goes.
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02-21-2015, 08:32 AM | #11 | |
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I'm out of town this weekend (Vancouver) but how about next Saturday/Sunday? |
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02-21-2015, 10:58 AM | #12 | ||
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Weekends are good for me for now again. I think hubby is in town for at least 4 weeks this time so I can do anything!
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