Since there is no solid info on the net, just thought I'd let all those in California driving illegally modified cars know the price of getting tagged by the Poo-poo police

The bad news is that it'll cost you anywhere from $400-$500 dollars to pay the fine.

The good news is that you don't have to remove anything (not that I plan on not removing it).

POST EDITED: my interpretation of the courtesy notice is that you can pay the fine. i am not sure whether there is a record of you not having gone to the state referee. It is a risk that some may choose to take. Just sharing some info.

My lesson to all of you...when a cop tells you if your car is modified, just open your hood and KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.

 

cops suck, sorry dude, your car still kicks ***.

 

Thanks, we owe you one.

 

You have to take your car to be signed off on with a "referee" don't you? They just don't give you a ticket without any "follow up" do they? My understanding is that you have to prove you are CARB compliant with the referee....

 

damn since i lived in cali back from 98 to 2002 they really stiffened up the laws and enforcement.... well, i guess its just one more obsticle to cross.... here in Florida we are much better off. No carb laws of any sort... I dunno why but im glad there aren't... i remember when there used to be inspections every year i think if im not mistaken... thats goin way back to like 1996.

 

pay the fee and not show up at a "referee" at all?

 

calimarc...you ask too many questions

the courtesy notice specifically says you can forfeit your bail and call it a day.

if you gonna nit pick and go by the citation, than yes, you must take the car to a state referee for an inspection.

i'm sure you run a HUGE, and I mean HUGE risk of getting caught again. Worst case is that your car ends up in the impound yard the next time around, but since I'm taking off the turbo, it's no big deal for me.

just in case.... I want to make it clear to the COPS and STATE SMOG REFEREES, I'm taking off my turbo!!!!

 

are you selling the Turbo kit?

 

I'm gonna get me a Stillen or Vortech carb sticker once I get my Turbonetics.

 

Damn...sorry to hear that bro. So I guess this gives me an even bigger reason to wait for a kit that is CARB certified. Since this is my daily driver, getting caught was something I feared the most especially if you invest so much money into it. So when you say "keep you mouth shut", what happens if they ask questions? What would you recommend to say?

 

Thanks bro for the info. Sux that you had to worry about this for so long. Just to find out that this shiet is another way for Cali to make more money. If they were really worried about the problem they would have forced a ref to look at it. Im going to look at this as a one shot deal. If I get poped Ill pay the fine and take the TT and other mods off. Thanks again for keeping us posted! Steve

 

1 and only reason why I stuck with Vortech.

 

If a cop asks you a question you have the right to remain silent until you have an attorney present.

Now if they tell you to do something, like get out of the car, THAT you have to do. If your car is really loud, they probably have probable cause to ask you to open your hood, so you should probably do that too if they tell you to.

I agree, if the cop asks questions, just politely say you would prefer to have an attorney present if you are being questioned.

IMO this is a good reason to keep your engine bay looking stock in cali. Get turbo manifolds and/or turbos coated with a black coating. Don't use flashy pipe connectors like pi-thon. Don't use bright colored hoses. Just my 2 cents.

 

Thats a good point. My buddy is running a single turbo in his R33 skyline and has painted everything black. Looks really ugly but doesnt get hassled by the cops.

 

Also, what are the situations in which people are getting pulled over. My guess its in a "known" racer or a public awareness area places where citizens have complained. Also, after hours, or like in downtown San Jose on the weekends, don't take your modified car there. When asked questions, answer them as long as they are not incriminating. If you stand there and say i want my lawyer. The cop wont be inclined to cut you a break.
drsifu where and when did this happen?

 

since you had the APS ST.. they wouldn't have known you had a turbo since it's under the car. looks like you just have an intake.

 

in cali they are ticketing for Intakes also

 

That really sucks. I'm going to try to keep my car looking as stock as possible and I'm going to be using the stock exhaust with e-cutouts to keep the noise down. Good luck buddy. Sell your turbo and buy a CARB compliant SC.

 

Its not the cops bro. Try the CA goverment.

 

Take it one set futher.....ITs Not the CA government its the people who DON'T VOTE and let others put these idiots in office by default!