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I have failed state referee smog check

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Old 02-11-2011, 09:37 AM
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jun350z
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Default I have failed state referee smog check

Got an exhaust ticket. Swapped the exhaust back to stock and scheduled for state referee smog check. I have Kinetix HFCs, passed the visual but failed the emission test.

15mph:
CO2: 14.2
O2: 0.3
HC: Max(54)GP(271)Meas(134)
CO: Max(0.5)GP(2.0)Meas(0.53)
NO: Max(430)GP(1918)Meas(2255)

25mph:
CO2: 14.5
O2: 0.1
HC: Max(37)GP(221)Meas(31)
CO: Max(0.47)GP(1.97)Meas(0.2)
NO: Max(717)GP(1718)Meas(1083)

mine is 2003 with 90K+ miles. Only mods on car is Pop charger and HFCs. Can anyone help me to diagnose or point me to any local shops around Fremont? I am looking for cheap fix. Would swapping the CATs to stock pass the smog?

Thank you.
Old 02-11-2011, 09:47 AM
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TheFarmer
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Stock cats and you should be good to go. Should clean up the numbers Funny the ref passed you visually with the HFC.
Old 02-11-2011, 10:13 AM
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Cali-Darkness
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Originally Posted by TheFarmer
Stock cats and you should be good to go. Should clean up the numbers Funny the ref passed you visually with the HFC.
My understanding is that if you purchased them prior to the ban, you are good. I was looking @ mine on Saturday and I think they have a carb number (bought min prior to ban).
Old 02-11-2011, 03:38 PM
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jun350z
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Thanks for the inputs. I am going to get some OEM cats and give it a try. Hopefully it is the problem. Any shops in Bay Area can help to diagnose? I think I have one more shot at the State Ref for emission test and I do not want to fail it again. I am new to Bay Area btw.
Old 02-12-2011, 03:18 PM
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pchio
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I replaced my high flow cat to stock cat and it passed. Plus u can always go to a smog station and pay them to run a sample test before you go to referree station.
Old 02-12-2011, 11:11 PM
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DivZero
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Is your car well maintained (i.e. timing is correct, spark plugs good, etc.)? Having those type of things below par will obviously reduce engine efficiency.
Old 02-14-2011, 10:32 AM
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jun350z
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Just ordered new spark plugs, haven't changed it since 60K miles. A kind member on this forum is lending me his OEM Cats for a swap for smog. Hope these will help me passing. Thanks.
Old 02-19-2011, 09:32 PM
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WSchli1672
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Good luck on the retest.
Old 02-24-2011, 07:53 PM
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jun350z
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So, finally I passed the retest today:

15mph:
CO2: 14.8
O2: 0.1
HC: Max(54)Meas(6)
CO: Max(0.5)Meas(0.04)
NO: Max(430)Meas(0)

25mph:
CO2: 14.8
O2: 0.1
HC: Max(37)Meas(1)
CO: Max(0.47)Meas(0.03)
NO: Max(717)Meas(8)

My NOx dropped from 2255 to 0 and all the other numbers are all very low! I changed the spark plugs, found that both #5&6 plugs are soaked with oil... Seafoamed my car, did an oil change and put some stock cats on.

Thanks for the members who lend me the cats, and point me to a shop for swap. I think the I should have done all those maintenance works before the smog last time.
Old 02-25-2011, 08:43 AM
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Spider Monkey
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WTF is a referee check?
Old 02-25-2011, 09:16 AM
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ITOzann
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Originally Posted by Spider Monkey
WTF is a referee check?
A nightmare for any car enthusiast.
Old 03-30-2011, 07:41 AM
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TongMan
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Dang, I just got a loud exhaust ticket for my Civic Si. I'm switching out the cat-back back to stock, but I also have a cold air intake and header. I wonder if I should swap the intake and header back to stock to pass. The header will be the most time consuming to swap back. Any suggestions?
Old 03-30-2011, 09:00 AM
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JZ33
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the intake and header should be fine if they have the CARB stickers... if not then you will have to swap them back...
Old 03-30-2011, 09:12 AM
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Spider Monkey
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Originally Posted by ITOzann
A nightmare for any car enthusiast.
Maybe in some other goofy *** state. I've never seen a referee at Speedee.
Old 03-30-2011, 02:11 PM
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TongMan
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Shoot! No carb sticker for either the cai or the header. Swapping these two parts out is gonna suck.
Old 03-30-2011, 02:43 PM
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forced_04
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Never thought I would hear the day when people would start seafoaming 350's...... Ohhh man I am at a loss for words.
Old 03-31-2011, 01:59 AM
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TongMan
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If my ticket says I'm in violation of CVC 27150(a) only, does the ref only perform the decibel test or does he do the whole emissions testing?
Old 04-11-2011, 09:01 AM
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kazeron
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I work as an assistent to a state referee, if you get a ticket for a loud exhaust, we only do a decibel test, but we will look underhood for any aftermarket parts and verify them (Including the exhaust of course).
Old 04-11-2011, 09:33 PM
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TongMan
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say that I have a non-carb approved header and cai on, what will happen?
Old 04-12-2011, 12:22 PM
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TongMan
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Called and made an appointment. The testing place said that I had to bring in $108 cash or check. Did anyone have to pay for testing and then again at the court?


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