For you guys in Cali who boost non-cert kits, what do you do when it's time to smog if most kits are not carb'd?

I'm new to this whole seen so am trying to get as much info as possible before I get to a hurdle.

Thanks.

 

New cars usually need smog checks every 2-4 years....so nobody has had to do this yet.

I think when the time comes, people are going to start getting really creative...since nobody wants to remove their turbo kit for a damn smog check.

Some have talked about using the CARB EO number from whichever kit actually recieves it...and just showing that paperwork to the inspector...hopeing he cant tell the difference between an APS kit and a Greddy kit.

I think my Greddy kit would look really nice with some APS stickers..

 

I like it.

 

Good question. Along the same lines.... I would love imput from someone with experience in the following matter.
Who has passed a California smog test after lowering the compression in their car from the original stock compression? I have gotten conflicting information from two sources, both of wich I respect, on the effect of lowering compression and resulting effects on emmisions testing.
I'm considering an engine build up mainly for durability and longevity but would love to drop the compression as to boost higher. Being in California with our crap 91 octane gas....I am looking for the greatest saftey margin I can give my APS TT Z Car! Passing smog test when it's time is paramount for me in all this decision making.

 

All things being equal, lowering your compression will increase emissions and pollution.

Will it increase it enough to put the VQ outside the legal limit.....my guess is no. My car can pass the sniffer test with a straight pipe.

 

My second post was meant to be fascitious (spelling?).

In all seriousness, people talk about boosting their car and not worrying about smog, so many aftermarket companies don't worry about it either! That's bad for gettiing NEW business.

The way I see it, for years it has been the diehard enthusiasts who have boosted their cars and have found the way, if not legally, to get their set-up to pass.

But now that the Z has come back, and many others than just diehard enthusiasts would like to boost safely and legally.

And being that the major market would most likely come from CA, where emissions are the strictest and gas octane the lowest, it's even more imperative that this be done.

For me personally, I'm just getting into this seen. I really would like more power in the Z, but I was and still am, seriously looking in to other vehicles with more power so I don't have to mod it (ie C6, Evo, STI).

However, it would be fun, very rewarding, and I'll learn tons if I mod my Z. (Besides, it does look great).

The thread on Turbonetics this issue was being addressed by others such as APS and recently, other guys chimed in. But APS was hammered by one of the main guys. I understood both points, but the guys doing the hammering were being somewhat biased in terms that they didn't seem to be as concerned as others are like myself. APS and others were trying to inform folks like me and stating that the turbo set-up being sold my turbonetics as it stands will never pass smog. This is true. Could they come up with another solution for the rest of us? Hopefully. Now, no. I will never buy a product that I have to worry about any legality issues.

This is why I have not modded my engine because so few do have carb certs at this time (ie JWT popcharger, stillen SC).

I know, it takes 5 yrs until I have to SMOG. But if I buy the turbo set-up that TN has now, I won't pass even in 5 yrs!

I'm not bashing TN, just stating that they really should have considered the whole Z community because I am thinking that many aftermarket companines believe that only diehard enthusiast will boost. While that is mostly true, their is a significant, and growing, portion of us that are not diehards, are new to the Z, and just want more HP/TQ (especially Turbo) because they've never had it before. But we want it safe, reliable, and legal. This is what APS was trying to say.

So I highly respect what APS, JWT, and the others who are trying to get carb cert..

Thanks for all the posts guys. Hope you aftermarket guys are listening carefully.

 

This is something that concerns me. And i hope as GQ mentioned, that some people can get creative when it comes to smoggin their cars. I really hope that at least one company gets CARB certified and use that EO number to conduct the test. I would hate to remove my kit just to pass smog. When i bought the kit, california did not have the dyno testing yet. My friends would pass the smog test illegally, Usually just giving the tech their VIN #, year, make,model, mileage and thats it. THey didnt even need the car. This is how i planned on doing my test but then they came out with the dyno machine. Lets keep our fingers crossed for a good solution.

 

I'm probably goin to find out the hard way. But I'm pretty sure I can get ti ot pass with the OEM CATS installed and tuned correctly. Without the OEM CATs, very ,very unlikely.

 

Hey G3po how is the engine going? Are they almost done rebuilting with forged internals?

 

If youre willing to pay the money, there are ways of getting around the smog check. If people with FI kits that need smogs and youre in the Bay Area or willing to drive there, I may be able to help you out.

 

It's goin just slowly, I'm having a better designed piston made.

 

Cool. Appreciate that.

However, I think what I'm, and others, are saying is that there is a growing amount of Z owners who want more power, so want a TT/SC/T.

However, they just want to install like a pure bolt-on and not have to worry about tuning, legality, or reliability. They don't want or even know how to go around looking for someone to make it legit.

This is why Nissan and other manufacturers make cars that are 'comprises' to sell to the 'massess'.

Example, moderate understeer from factory. Why? Safety. However, an enthusiast, or rather track enthus, wants more neutrality. But that runs the risk of oversteer which most people don't know how to correct. But understeer corrects with the natural reaction of getting off the gas.

Then it's upto the tuners to modify the car to their liking. Most owners, however, will do little, if any. And the middle folks just want to install and be done with it.

I'm just starting to learn and am intrigued with all this stuff. This is my first RWD, just started going to the track a year ago, and just learned about the whole import/aftermarket seen.

I will probably end up getting very involved into tuning. But that's just me. A significant amount, and maybe majority or Z owners who want FI won't be into major tuning/learning.

Anyways, nuff said. I greatly respect yours and others offers who are willing to help us pass. But want to stay legit as much as poss.. (This doesn't mean I may fudge every now and then or may even change my view in the future

This whole seen is awesome. The comraderie is fantastic. All you guys are great. I'm excited to join this seen and learn as I go.

Thanks to all!

 

i will be one of those interested project alpha. But how is this possible? what can u do?