Smog check stop. Jaklin in Milpitas
previously known as wrxBRAH
iTrader: (17)
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,383
From: San Jose / Campbell
Car Info: 2004 FXT
I've never had trouble with my hi-flow. I guess it all depends on the quality of the hi-flow as they are not all created equal. 
Some information that I've been told from a legit exhaust shop (they weld custom roll cages for rally cars, track cars, basically anything) is that the legal replacement cats are almost on par with hi-flow cats now. You can take one of these, cut off the stock diameter piping and open it up a little and reweld 3" piping on it to fit your exhaust, and it'll be 100% legal. It'll have all the correct serials, CARB #s and whatever else that these cats are stamped with. These guys don't do anything illegal in their shop and will not do anything off-road only unless the car comes in and leaves on a trailer. They told me shops are still liable for the work they have done to the car if the illegally modified car drives off their parking lot, no matter what warnings, waivers and anything else they do to try and protect themselves. Just an idea for anyone who wants to take the safer road.
But back on topic, I'm assuming these places don't have AWD rollers, since smog still doesn't require shops to have AWD rollers. I wonder if this means we have to automatically refuse and get logged into that database?
Some information that I've been told from a legit exhaust shop (they weld custom roll cages for rally cars, track cars, basically anything) is that the legal replacement cats are almost on par with hi-flow cats now. You can take one of these, cut off the stock diameter piping and open it up a little and reweld 3" piping on it to fit your exhaust, and it'll be 100% legal. It'll have all the correct serials, CARB #s and whatever else that these cats are stamped with. These guys don't do anything illegal in their shop and will not do anything off-road only unless the car comes in and leaves on a trailer. They told me shops are still liable for the work they have done to the car if the illegally modified car drives off their parking lot, no matter what warnings, waivers and anything else they do to try and protect themselves. Just an idea for anyone who wants to take the safer road.
But back on topic, I'm assuming these places don't have AWD rollers, since smog still doesn't require shops to have AWD rollers. I wonder if this means we have to automatically refuse and get logged into that database?
what if your car is too low and it will rub the ramp? would they just give you an issue you to the state ref? gives you time to change out the cat..i dunno just a thought.
Registered User
iTrader: (26)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,959
From: Gilroy, CA
Car Info: 2017 WRB WRX Premium
Visual....The cat itself is legal but the piping is illegal, it's the stupidest thing ever!! It's a total infringement on our rights! They designed things this way to take rights away from people who like to modify cars, which is stupid because Cadilacs ctsV's and shelby mustangs pump out way more power and probably way more emissions than a modded subie LOL .......What comes out of the tailpipe should be all that matters 
This is an incorrect statement Sir. I also have a Magnaflow cat back with x-pipe and it tested cleaner than my WRX at idle in stock form.
Last edited by KurleeDaddeeWRX; Feb 17, 2012 at 06:40 AM.
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,980
From: Salas Homes!
Car Info: Norco 29er Mtn Bike
Thats surprising, I figured a supercharged V8 would put out more emissions haha common misconception i guess. I'm so jealous of your car! I love the V wagon... I guess subie needs to step up there game if these high horsepower cars are putting out less emissions LOL
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 143
From: California
Car Info: 2009 WRX 5dr OBP
I think when you're less concerned with things like space and weight, and have more displacement at your disposal, you really buy yourself more headroom with regards to power, heat, fuel efficiency, etc. Our little 2.0/2.5s are known for doing a lot with what we have, but we're sacrificing a lot to achieve that.
Registered User
iTrader: (26)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,959
From: Gilroy, CA
Car Info: 2017 WRB WRX Premium
Thats surprising, I figured a supercharged V8 would put out more emissions haha common misconception i guess. I'm so jealous of your car! I love the V wagon... I guess subie needs to step up there game if these high horsepower cars are putting out less emissions LOL
I think when you're less concerned with things like space and weight, and have more displacement at your disposal, you really buy yourself more headroom with regards to power, heat, fuel efficiency, etc. Our little 2.0/2.5s are known for doing a lot with what we have, but we're sacrificing a lot to achieve that.
Registered User
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,225
From: SF Bay Area - Peninsula
Car Info: 04 psm wrx sedan
I'm pretty sure these checkpoints aren't set up with the intention of catching catless cars, but older cars/trucks that aren't maintained properly...I see so many bucket cars with crap coming out of their exhausts
Registered User
iTrader: (26)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,959
From: Gilroy, CA
Car Info: 2017 WRB WRX Premium
So if that's the case, they are obviously profiling bucket cars and nothing newer. Which we all hope is what they are looking for.
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,980
From: Salas Homes!
Car Info: Norco 29er Mtn Bike
banned
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,669
From: 2006 Zero/sports Widebody
Car Info: 500+ whp Club
My uncle lives in Vegas and he has 3% tint all around.
When he visited here, a police officer pulled up right next to us and was trying to look in the car and then he slowed down to look at the plate but never pulled us over or bothered us again. He told me it happened 2-3 times driving up here and yet he's never been pulled over for it.
Registered User
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 820
From: San Jose-near milpitas
Car Info: 03 Wrx black sedan + 2013 BRZ
But not tint?
My uncle lives in Vegas and he has 3% tint all around.
When he visited here, a police officer pulled up right next to us and was trying to look in the car and then he slowed down to look at the plate but never pulled us over or bothered us again. He told me it happened 2-3 times driving up here and yet he's never been pulled over for it.
My uncle lives in Vegas and he has 3% tint all around.
When he visited here, a police officer pulled up right next to us and was trying to look in the car and then he slowed down to look at the plate but never pulled us over or bothered us again. He told me it happened 2-3 times driving up here and yet he's never been pulled over for it.
As far as the tint I imagine most cops don't bother with it because they know your are visiting, but I'm sure there are officers out there that would cite you for it. However as an officer I wouldn't want to site visors to this state for those infractions as that does't promote tourism.
Last edited by Wrxneffect; Feb 17, 2012 at 11:09 AM.