Originally Posted by wombatsauce

I really don't get these responses from you folks. This topic will come up over and over again, as you have seen. Expecting this to stop happening would be the same as expecting that no one else with a modded car is going to move from another state to CA. Sure, people can search but not everyone is an Internet Blackbelt, and they find a Subaru forum and post up a question.

I personally have moved to CA a few times. Each time, for whatever reason, I have had a car that is not smog compliant. I know how this works and still, the same thing happens to me. Last time it was, ironically, my WRX. I did not think I would be moving back or so soon, so I did not worry that my car was not CA compliant since it was easily registered in another state. Then, through a series of silly un-expected events, I need to smog my car and am in exactly the same place as the OP.

The thing is, CA has ridiculously crazy smog rules, and this condition is made worse by two things: people who think it's cool to toss out that they don't need to worry about smog, thus creating this "idea" that there are a load of smog shops out there that will sneak someone through, when really this is just someone trying to be cooler than the next fellow at a meet, by saying that "they don't need to worry about smog" but not offering anything really helpful or true. I have pressed the issue a couple times and it either leads to them not wanting to give up who they are talking about, or that they really do not "got a guy" as they were saying (this is usually the case).

Imagine someone showing up from any other state with a mildly or wildly modified car, and starts showing up to meets and doing some research after having done some research ahead of time before coming. They hear things verbally at meets that conflicts with everything that they have read. What they have read is hard to believe, because it's ****ing crazy and they did not have to do anything like this in any other state they have lived in. So when faced with the prospect of the financial/logistical hardship of returning your car to stock, when people have verbally said they they didn't need to. What is the next logical step?

To come on here and ask some questions. Then they get faced with the second thing: Incorrect information.



Not true, you do not need to take the car to the Referee. Your car will need to have a valid smog certificate on file, and need to take the car to the DMV for an inspection (verifying underhood labels, looking for shiny stuff). No appointment needed, but it could save some time to have an appointment. I have done this at least six times. The last time was March of last year. I had to smog my car, show up at the DMV to pop the hood, and done. Same process when I have purchased a car from out of state while living here.

Granted, if your car is not stock it will be harder to smog, and this is where they grey area begins. This is where all the confusion lies. Some people will tell you that they did not have to change anything to smog their car. Some people will tell you a specific aftermarket exhaust that they have personally passed smog with. If you ever ask at a shop, they will always say that you must have the stock downpipe/cat on to pass. There are people who have spent time/money to return their cars to bone stock and were told they did not need to, laughed at even. There are people that have said they have passed with all sorts of illegal things. All of these are or could be true, and that is confusing for people who have not personally experienced this.

Maybe instead of doing the internet thing and trying to make people feel stupid for asking a fairly valid question, or making these kinds of threads prohibited (wtf??) we do a sticky at the top of the page that has some info on smog rules. A "Moving to the Bay" type of FAQ.

What do you think?

Originally Posted by ravenlunatic

Thank you. it's good to know that there are people willing to help among the "internet bad asses". I though I left the majority of them in NASIOC?

Originally Posted by Snoopy408

at some times i think this place is actually worse. very entertaining tho.

Originally Posted by FXTbrah

Its mind boggling that so many people are pro giving hookups name to single and double digit posters.

Can one of you lend me $500? I swear I'll pay you guys back.

Originally Posted by Rice_Krispy

I was referred here due to high amounts of members in the Bay Area. Have not received any solid contacts yet... I would love to keep my subie and become apart of this community but may have to sell and will probably pull the miata out of the garage.

Any help is appreciated!

Originally Posted by FXTbrah

List your mods and I'll give you advice.

Originally Posted by Rice_Krispy

Has 22k miles. Motor was completely rebuilt at 13k along with new tranny.

Cosworth Racing parts:
pistons, rings, conn. rods, main & rod bearings, cams, dual valve springs & head gaskets

New Subaru parts include: motor cases, nitrite treated crank, water pump, oil pump, oil cooler, gasket kit and head shims

Complete valve job, ARP head studs, Kevlar timing belt, Grimm speed thermostat, 1,000cc Detach injectors, Tomei Header, Perrin crank Pulley, Act light weight flywheel and stage 2 clutch, Crawford performance CP35R rotated turbo kit, Walbro 255 fuel pump, Group N motor and tranny mounts, Kart boy short-shifter and bushings, Howerton Engineering methanol injection kit, Tial blow off valve, 3" exhaust with a MagnaFlow muffler

Tuned to a conservative 420hp at 23psi.

Originally Posted by FXTbrah

That's quite a beast. https://www.i-club.com/forums/#vendor-forums My suggestion is to drive to your local shop on that list and find out what options you have in person.

Any chance you can keep it registered out of state? If you get a ticket/reffd in that thing, you're going to be shelling out a lot of money.

Originally Posted by Rice_Krispy

Thanks for your help! I do plan on reverting back to stock and parting out what I get rid of but I'll need more time than the 60 days the DMV gave me. Hence the desired contact..