Took a smog test today... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

N35QU!K · 08-15-2008, 05:09 PM

And with my Specter Ram Air Intake setup, I failed the visual inspection because I didn't have the O2 sensor plugged into the intake pipe where it should have been (the sensor wont reach the pre-cut hole in the pipe, but I'll be taking care of that later today today; I'll be drilling a 15mm hole into the straight section of the pipe where the sensor can reach). However, I successfully passed the Functional Check and Emissions Test, no problems.

The guy told me when I come back for the retest, I either have to produce paperwork that shows that the Specter intake is specifically designed for the car (which it isn't) and that it is all emissions legal (I assumed it was ok, the filter's box said so, and it's not the one that says "track use only", all in all, nothing I can really do); or just to be safe I should just put the OEM intake back in.

At the end of the day, I ended up putting the stock intake back in for the sake of the visual test, and had a retest done not too long ago, this time passing the visual inspection, and the Functional Check and Emissions Test with no problems.

So here's a tip to all you future smoggers out there: If you have an aftermarket intake and no paperwork to prove that its emissions legal (the case of most Specter intake people, correct me if I'm wrong), put the stock intake in before you go to have your car tested.

All in all, I spent $110 on a smog test

shajbot · 08-15-2008, 05:13 PM

What's smog test, is that a CA thing...? We only have emission check here I think.

N35QU!K · 08-15-2008, 05:17 PM

I don't think it's just a Cali thing, but one thing I know for sure is that we have the strictest emissions regulations out here, heh.

shajbot · 08-15-2008, 05:35 PM

I wonder if I ever go turbo daily driver, how would I pass these kind of thing....

N35QU!K · 08-15-2008, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shajbot

I wonder if I ever go turbo daily driver, how would I pass these kind of thing....

Heh, it's funny you should mention that; I was thinking about the exact same thing after I pulled out after the retest

***toyomoho*** · 08-15-2008, 06:40 PM

The California emissions board requires after market parts such as this (non OEM parts) to obtain an exemption (and paperwork) before being used in California.

Albuynp Ryeno · 08-15-2008, 06:46 PM

I hate C.A.R.B.

I paid about 60 for each of my smog tests. And I didn't want any questions asked so i put back the stock air intake. Honestly I dont even know if either of my cars pass smog tests since i cheated on both.

You should have went to a sketchy area, they dont care about visual inspections in those places.

gladis · 08-15-2008, 07:48 PM

You paid 110 for a smog test? I remember mine was around 40-50, and of course, my car is stock, so it passed on the first go.

N35QU!K · 08-15-2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gladis

You paid 110 for a smog test? I remember mine was around 40-50, and of course, my car is stock, so it passed on the first go.

Yeah, it was $60 for the first one, and $50 for the retest... Otherwise I woulda got it in one go, heh.

uibalnme · 08-15-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shajbot

I wonder if I ever go turbo daily driver, how would I pass these kind of thing....

You wouldn't, unless you cheat. Your car would fail the visual inspection as soon as they open the hood. I doubt it would even pass the actual emissions test.

Albuynp Ryeno · 08-15-2008, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uibalnme

You wouldn't, unless you cheat. Your car would fail the visual inpection as soon as they open the hood. I doubt it would even pass the actual emissions test.

If you find a place that doesnt care or do visual, it would be incredibly easy to pass. Their are ways to get even a car with no cats to pass the test.

eurohazard · 08-16-2008, 03:04 AM

It's not an O2 sensor, those are in the exhaust.

You should find a better smog place. I had no problem passing smog with my cheapo ebay intake installed (no CARB exempt sticker).

However, I myself did also learn a valuable lesson. I had just changed my distributor right before I did my smog check.....and I didn't change the timing back to factory settings. So even though all the "emissions" were WELL within limit.....the fact that the timing was so far off failed me. I also blew about ~$110.