Hi guys. I was wondering if someone could give me a bit of the low-down on how smog testing works in California?

Is it just a sniffer, or will they perform a visual inspection on the car? What kind of things would they be looking for (my biggest concern is my EGT probe in my headers. Mainly due to the fact that the headers are missing a piece of the heatshield -- should I replace the headers with new ones before attempting to smog?). I also have a modified oil pan with a oil return tube welded in. Other than that the engine/exhaust/etc appears to be fully stock.

My other question is, are Subarus excempt from the rolling smog test (i.e. only idle tests will be done) since they can't be put on the rollers (AWD)?

If the car does fail the testing (its a Canadian Spec 2000 2.5RS), what are my options at that point? Any one know of the differences between the Cali-Spec and non-Cali spec cars of this year (if there are any)? Maybe if was just the ECU programming, I could find a Cali-spec one to swap.

Finally, does anyone know the numbers for what a car of this year will need in order to pass the test? I'm thinking maybe I'll get it tested here in Canada before attempting to bring it California...

Thanks a lot.

 

last I checked, the biggest thing is emissions. so make sure you have at least 2 factory cats on the beast. I don't think that the EGT bung tap will be looked down on, or the headers. Just say "hey man, up in canada eh, it gets cold you know? my headers cracked and had to get some higher grade ones" and if they have any complaints they might let you go on that.
The other thing they will check for in CA is the VINs to make sure your motor is the original from the factory, if its not then it just needs to pass CA emission standards, then they give you a card to show police that your none factory engine was OK'ed by California smog refs.

 

what about the dyno run question?

 

He drives an RS, there is only one cat on an RS from the factory. I think as long as you have all stock parts before the cat you will be fine, you might want to get a pre-test done before the actual test to see if you will pass. Also, since we have AWD cars, we are exempt from the dyno test, all you have to pass is a 2 speed idle test.

 

My car definately has 2 cats. Maybe the US spec only had 1 (though it would be strange if it was different).

I noticed too I have a 10 year warranty on my emission components of my car. I guess if it failed, would that make Subaru responsible for repairing it so that it could pass?

Are the "PASS" number really high (i.e. the only way you wont pass is if your car is running in pretty bad shape?). I guess my car is only 5 or 6 years old, hopefully it will be okay.

On the pretests, what do these usually cost, and if I fail, are these reported to the government?

 

I thought they only had one. I dont know what a pret test costs, probably depends on the place you go. Failing the pretest will not be reported, but failing the test will be.

 

Pretest still get sent to the State...since the smog machine still dails out and interfaces with the V.I.D.( vehicle information database)...to pull up the cars history...but as far as u consumers are concerned, No...it doesn't get reported....but the state has ways of pulling up pretests if dersired.

Mark

 

AWD cars are not required to be put on the roller...

 

Ok, i might be able to help u a lil bit. I'm a smog check tech so i deal with this kind of stuff everyday. First at all is this ur 1st Smog in California? then u said its a 2000 Canadian 2.5Rs, Is the car certified at least as a FEDERAL car? cuz if its a Canadian car only, then u will be refered to a REFEREE STATION TO GET CERTIFIED. The best way to tell is looking at ur Underhoood Label and look at the botom of it where it says THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO .... it should say CANADA EMISSION but it also needs to say US EPA FEDERAL EMISSIONS REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO 2000 MODEL YEAR. If it does say at least US EPA .... then ure cool if it only says CANADA EMISSIONS then u need to go to a referee station because that would be a GRAY MARKET CAR so u need to get it certified bye the BAR ( BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR) I dont know if ure trying to get registration on California for the 1st time or u already have CALIFORNIA PLATES, if u already have CAL PLATES then ure fine, u prolly dont need to get it certified at at REFEREE STATION. Then Inspection wise, at the end is up to the Smog Tech, if he wants to be an as..... with ur car it will fail it for anything weird under the hood. REMEMBER .. ANY PERFORMANCE PART THAT U ADD TO UR CAR HAS TO BE CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED , that means it needs to have a CARB # (sticker) attached to it to make it legal. Regarding the Dyno question, AWD cars are exempt from dyno's so a TSI ( Two Speed Idle) test will be performed. Make Sure u dont have any codes stored on the ECU and if ure going to reset them make sure u have at least 3 Non Continous Monitors ready because everytime u reset an ECU all the monitors go back to NON READY and that will make u fail the OBD II test. I cant think on anything else, but if u have any more questions just PM me ok.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

Hi Boxer. Thanks for the info. The car is Canadian spec (with Canadian plates -- this is my first attempt at smogging/registering it in California). I am having Subaru send me a letter of compliance stating that the car meets both federal and EPA standards, so it shouldn't be considered a grey import (legally imported in the US), I will send you a PM if I have any more questions. Thanks

 

Like i said, check the underhood label and look for the type of certification. Cuz if it says is CANADA EMISSION plus US EPA then u dont need a letter from SUBARU. But if it says CANADA emissions only then even with the letter u might need to make ur appointment with a REFEREE STATION. Anyway.