hi everyone,

my knowledge is limited. it's time for my first smog test. currently running hks hi-power catback exhaust, test pipes (brand unknown), and intake (brand unknown).

i have been running with a check engine light for some time now.

what recommendations do you have in terms of passing the new california smog test? my guess is putting back on the catalytic converters and stock intake correct, then proceeding to a smog check station? will this permanently eliminate my check engine light?

please advise. thanks everyone.

 

Sounds like you already have a plan.

 

thanks. hoping someone familiar with ca smog has any alternatives or can vouch "my guess" will pass the smog test.

 

Yeah, good place to start - I can only assume you put 91 or 93 octane in your tank…you may want to use that gas and fill up with 1 gallon of the lowest octane (85 or 87) when they test your car…

what codes are being pulled on the CEL?

 

i think it's p0420 bank 1 and/or p0430 bank 2, catalyst system efficiency code is tripped. could be from the test pipes and lack of o2 sensors. i don't know.

 

Your plan sounds good. Only thing to add is if you removed the O2 sensors put them back. Also be sure to clear the CEL and make sure you have no pending codes this may take some driving around.

 

thanks, i'll keep that in mind.

 

here is what you do.

Put all your stock parts back on like you were going to do, make sure to put the O2 sensors back on correctly or that could screw u up too.

Do the ECU reset by turning off your car and unhooking the battery i think overnight IIRC. In the morning drive your car for at least 60 miles, your ecu should reset and any codes should be gone by this time and you will pass the test. Your exhaust should be ok IF it is CARB approved so you might not have to take that off, look up your exhaust and see.

 

Be careful when plugging your battery back in after you do your reset... your car alarm MAY go off (mine did) and i didnt have my keys in hand so i was running around like a chicken with my head cut off while the car alarm was blaring haha

 

do i absolutely have to unplug the battery? can the mechanics use "the device" which plugs into the car and deactivate it? they have done so maybe 3-4 times so far. the cel does vanish but comes back, which they tell me every time.

 

Hi there unplugging the battery is as good as the "device" (scanner). If the test pipes were still on the car then it will keep coming back on over and over again.

 

The only thing you can do is put it back to stock. Im Cali. a check engine light is an automatic failure. As far as the exhaust system swap it out,it will never pass the visual. The only CARB approved exhaust is the Nismo...

 

Seriously? Could fail a visual with just aftermarket exhaust? Headers, test pipes, intake, sure but just the exhaust? Anyone experience this first hand?

 

Im 99.9% sure. Everything aftermarket concerning intake and exhaust is supposed to have a CARB number.

 

I passed twice with a catback so you will be fine there. Put the cats back on, the stock intake(s) back on, clear the codes (unplug the battery), and drive the car a lot (100 miles to be safe). You will fail readiness if you don't do a few driving cycles and allow the ECU to "trust" the rear O2 sensors again.

With regard to the intake(s), if you can find out what brand they are, you can figure out whether it is CARB compliant or not. I had an EO number for mine so I never removed it. The Tech will enter the EO number and you will pass. If you can find a CARB compliant intake that looks like yours and you can print something off that shows an EO number, you may be able to pass that way too.

 

You can use a cipher cable to turn your cel off

 

thanks for all the input. stock intake on. unfortunately seller who sent me cats, sent me two left-sided cats from this forum... very bummed and everything is due so soon. total setback. now in search of a right-sided cat. but most likely will have to buy in pairs. so wtb: 2005 oem cats. thanks all.

 

oem cats & intake are on. was recommended to drive 150 miles after the reset/clear all codes to ensure no other problem persisted. cel came back on after 25 miles or so. this most likely is the o2 sensor(s). a while back i had a diagnostic ran and they said o2 sensor(s) might be broken a little in one bank. typically how much can a good one run up to and with this final fix will the cel be permanently off so i can finally do my smog? thanks.

 

LMAO I visualized this is in my head

 

You need to have the codes read and see why the light came back on. Post the codes here.