RE: Cal. Smog

[Simon Favre <simon@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Unfortunately, there are 2 good reasons I can think of why this is so.

If they (CARB) open the regs up to let you make any engine mod you want
as long as the air comes out clean, then they open up the possibility
that you could put some gimmick on the motor that GUARANTEES it will
pass the tailpipe test, then promptly remove said gimmick 50 yards from
the smog test place.  I guarantee you somebody would market one if this
was allowed.  There are chemicals you can pour in that make this claim,
but I haven't tested their honesty on this subject. It has been said
that a bottle of Isopropyl in the tank will make a borderline car pass.

Pouring in a bottle of Kickapoo Joy Juice does not constitute a
modification of the original emissions control system, unless it damages
system components.  This brings us to reason # 2 which is that the
emissions standards were written for a specific car with a specific
engine and a very specific and long list of emission control equipment
as built by the manufacturer, as certified by the regulating body, in
this case the CARB.  (Whew!)  This is the bureaucratic side.  If it
isn't in THEIR computer, it doesn't exist. This is why the VW van with
the Chevy engine failed for not having the Chevy transmission that told
the Chevy computer what gear the VW van was in.  The fool disconnected
some of the original Chevy emissions equipment. Instant failure. 

What all this boils down to is that the CARB considers anybody who
modifies the original emissions control equipment (AKA "smog crap") to
be an evil person who shall be made to suffer the tortures of the damned
for as long as they own the car.  Under pressure from the makers of
add-on goodies, CARB certifies certain nonstandard parts as "OK" for
smog controlled cars.  Everything else that might improve performance
but can't be so certified has to be sold with the "Sold for off-road and
competition use only" disclaimer.  I'll bet your non-stock air cleaner
came with such a notice.  K&N makes filter elements that fit right into
an existing system which should be CARB certified.  All their true
high-performance filter systems aren't because installing them means you
have to disconnect or disable some piece of smog crap.  If you read the
Alfa Ricambi catalog carefully, you'll see these disclaimers on things
like headers, wild cams, etc. The Marelli Plex, was certified OK, AFAIK.

My advice is to keep your car as close to stock as possible, and pay
attention to the CARB notices or lack thereof on any performance parts
you buy.  Either that, or buy a smog exempt car!  Happy motoring.

Warren wrote: 

>Having more than 1 older car in California has become nerve racking at
>smog check time.  None of them are old enough to be exempt and none of
>them are new enough to zip through without a thought.  I think its great
>to have clean air.  But if there was no other concern except to have
>clean air, why is there a visual inspection?  A couple of years ago I
>passed the emissions part of the test but failed due to a non stock air
>filter.  This makes no sense.  My car could be cleaning the air as I
>drive but I could fail the test due to something that did not right
>under the hood.  In my opinion there should only be a visual inspection
>if you fail the emissions part of the test, and this should be so you
>can receive helpful advice to bring your car up to spec.  If they did it
>this way then I would truly believe that the only concern was clean air

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