It the time of year again where i gotta register and smog it. The last time i smogged it was like 2 year ago where my car was complete stock. the mileage back then on the engine was around 155,000. Now it has almost close to 170,000 mile on it. well my question is, if u add a cold air intake and a cat-back exhaust, would it affect the smog that coming out of my car? would u expect me to pass the smog test with these modification or would i have to put on my stock intake and exhaust in order to pass it? i drive a 94 LS by the way.

 

i hope you didnt sell your oem parts, otherwise it could go either way

 

If you have a CAI without a CARB exemption number, it will not pass visual inspection. Otherwise, it shouldn't effect the smog to the point of failing. Some smog guys are anal about the catback too, so I would have them look it over before they hook it up to the sniffer to make sure everything is fine visually.

 

A CARB legal intake will pass the visual. Some techs. really don't give a damn unless it was their life long dream to be a smog tech. As far as the exhaust is concerned...anything "after" the cat. should not be of concern and you shouldn't run into any problems. I had to take my car to the BAR Ref. here in So. Cal for an illegal header and the Ref. was cool w/my AEM intake and exhaust. So if the Ref. does not sweat it, then there is no reason for a smog tech. from a non-govt. affiliated facility to have a problem. I've learned that using fuel additives coats the internals of the cat. and make it lazy which is a big reason for cars failing and that seemed to be my problem after I did a whole tune-up myself, put the car back to complete stock and it was still failing. I ended up leaving my 99 GSR at Acura for over a week and they finally decided to give me a new "free" cat since they could not get it to pass either after doing all they could do. I never told them I used fuel additives and at one time race fuel because that would have voided my emissions warranty. But I later learned after the fact, that the additives and lead in race fuel can **** up your cat and make it harder to pass Smog. Good luck!!!

 

I'm not busting balls, but that's one heck of generalization...

To pass the California Smog visual inspection, all the aftermarket parts on the vehicle must have CARB E.O. Numbers. The only exception is the cat-back exhaust (but it must not be louder than 95 dB(A).)

If the part doesn't have an EO number, you fail the visual inspection, regardless of what your emissions are.

To pass the actual emissions test, you'll clearly need a functioning cat converter. Be warned, few things kill a cat converter and oxygen sensor faster than leaded race gas.

 

True, true...make sure the CARB EO number is actually for your car too. You may have a smart ass tech who looks up the number to make sure it is not from another kind of car, that just happens to fit yours.

 

thank for the info guys. but i dont have CARB EO # on my intake so im screw, gotta get one b4 i bring it in tho

 

Well then slap on the stock box or borrow an intake from someone you "may" know with the same car and a carb legal intake.

 

What's wrong with wanting to be a smog tech??? I wouldn't blame a guy for looking at a modified car with scrutiny, I do it all the time. I'm not going to get a write up and a fine from the BAR for not paying attention to a car that I smog, it's not worth a fine from the state or losing my job. It's not about trying to hold something over a guy for having a modified car. We are just nervous of cars that are modified for fear that it could be a sting car from the BAR. I've invested a ton into getting a license and I'm not going to lose it over some civic with a ebay intake tube.