How to pass SMOG

brad131a4 · Post by **brad131a4** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:46 am

So what your saying Mark as usual the state of California is screwy. Wouldn't having a cat on the car be better than none at all. I would venture to say the cats they have now are better than what was on the car in the first place. I have passed the smog test by removing the air filter before I got to the testing station. This is the only way it would pass at the time. You could rejet the carb and tune it up but it ran like crap to get it to pass with the filter in the car. I sure hope I'm dead before it gets any more draconian on emissions for cars that are driven less than once a week. So what is different from a universal cat and one that is for the car Mark?

SpiderHead · Post by **SpiderHead** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:07 am

Sometimes it seems that they just want to kill you.

but since that is illegal, they settle for the next best thing... they annoy you to death with rules that could only make sense to a smoking, flaming liberal... and even then only one at a time.

-Ryan

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:25 am

Calif decided that universal cats were replacing oem cats and weren't up to the task, and of course were being replaced unnecessarily. Many smog shops failed a car, replaced the cat and charged the customer the max limit of $450. They were using a fresh cat to mask other emission failures, and it was costing the customer more than it should have and they were getting a subpar product that wouldn't keep the car compliant for very long.
Part of this change also barred recycling centers from accepting used cats without documentation, since cats were being stolen at an alarming rate off cars and suv's
As for adding cats, it's not legal to modify emission systems since a home-made system hasn't been tested. Remember that oem cats have lots of heat shields to prevent carpet fires or other damage. A smog inspection isn't nearly as comprehensive as EPA testing, only measuring emissions at 2 different speeds. So who knows what a home-made system is doing under other circumstances, possibly raising emissions and killing fuel mileage

htchevyii · Post by **htchevyii** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:33 am

So Cal Mark wrote:it all hinges on whether the air injection system is really working. If it is, you'll have to rejet the carb to lean it out. Enlarge the primary air jet, and reduce the idle jet.
Universal cats are no longer legal in Calif, and I doubt you'll find a muffler shop willing to install one. The potential fines are huge, and if the smog shop sees a new cat they may check it for the Calif certification.
Set the timing to spec, then retard it 3 degrees. That is the max variation allowed. That will help reduce Nox, which is going to increase when you lean the fuel mixture out.

Is that on all cars? I thought it was just obdII? 3 of the 4 cars I own that cave cats ahve universal ones. I don't think you're going to find a direct fit for most old cars. I've never understood CA's smog laws, if you change something and it doesn't have a C.A.R.B. exeption # it's illegal, even if it decreases pollution. I say if it's within specs they shouldn't even open the hood. The universal cat thing is probabily just another Greenie plot to get our old cars off the road by making it so expensive you junk the thing and buy a Prius. Ok, I've got to stop, before I get fired up!

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 3:14 pm

the universal cats are no longer sold in Calif, and the prices have now tripled

htchevyii · Post by **htchevyii** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:50 pm

I just went to Kragen.com & they list one for a '81 Spider for $67.99?

Tappy · Post by **Tappy** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:34 pm

htchevyii wrote:I just went to Kragen.com & they list one for a '81 Spider for $67.99?

the titel says : not for california ....

JimM · Post by **JimM** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:40 am

No suggestions on the Smog, but if you want to drive to Stockton (closer than Santa Cruz) European/Japanese Auto Repair on Wilson Way has a great mechanic from Italy. Fabio has worked on Fiats both here and in Ialy.
Good Luck Jim

htchevyii · Post by **htchevyii** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:20 am

Tappy wrote:
htchevyii wrote:I just went to Kragen.com & they list one for a '81 Spider for $67.99?

the titel says : not for california ....

You are right, some do specify, some do not.

Catalytic Converter

For vehicle: 1981 FIAT 124 SPIDER L4 2.0 Liter FI (change)

6 parts found.

Product Description Availability * Price

Part No.
23503 MagnaFlow Exhaust Direct Fit Catalytic Converter
Catalytic Converter: Direct-Fit 49 State Converters
Warranty: Limited 1 Year*

Ships in 2 days
$170.99

Part No.
36004 MagnaFlow Exhaust Catalytic Converter
Catalytic Converter: Universal; California Pre-Obdii; Qty 1
Warranty: Limited 5 Year*

Ships in 1 day
$168.99

Part No.
94004 MagnaFlow Exhaust Obdii Compliant Universal Catalytic Converter: Non California
Catalytic Converter: Universal 49 State Converters
Warranty: Limited 1 Year*

Ships in 1 day
$90.99

Part No.
15051 Walker Catalytic Converter
Universal-Standard; May Require Modifications to Finish Install
Warranty: Limited 1 Year*

Ships in 1 day
$91.99

Part No.
15063 Walker CATALYTIC CONVERTER WLKER
Universal-Optional Premium; May Require Modifications to Finish Install
Warranty: Limited 1 Year*

Ships in 1 day
$206.99

Part No.
15026 Walker Catalytic Converter
Universal-Optional Economy; May Require Modifications to Finish Install
Warranty: Limited 1 Year*

Ships in 1 day
$67.99

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:26 pm

the 49 state cats are no longer legal in Calif

jimincalif · Post by **jimincalif** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:30 pm

So Cal Mark wrote:the 49 state cats are no longer legal in Calif

If a Calif car needs a new cat, are legal ones available?

htchevyii · Post by **htchevyii** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:34 pm

the second one states CA legal, some say 49 state and some didn't specify.

Tappy · Post by **Tappy** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:51 pm

that would be this one ? magnaflow 36004 :http://www.hottexhaust.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=36004

dunno about calf regulations but reading the text i would say this one is allowed ? trough the site from Magnaflow you can locate a nearby dealer , hurry up do, only 367 available

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:24 pm

yes, cats are available but as I stated the prices have gone up. I sell Magnaflow units, and was supplying a polished hi-flow cat with the header/exhaust I sell. That cat is no longer available for sale in Calif

brad131a4 · Post by **brad131a4** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 1:52 am

Gee Mark kind of funny how that happens. Ban something and price triples. It makes it sound as if there really wasn't all this rampant overcharging and non compliant cats being installed. My guess is that yes there will be people that would take advantage of it and exploit it to death. This is were the problem comes from. I also feel that someone didn't like the fact that they weren't making the money off the people and used this as an excuse to get them banned. Just my .02 I could be wrong but mostly I find out latter I'm not. Funny thing is the 2 cats I've replaced with universal ones had the same air ports and shields as the stock ones.

How to pass SMOG

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