It was time to re-register my car and I had to get the smog done. Unfortunately, I was stuck having to take my car to a smog test only center. I took off the turbo and tested my car...

**Smog pre-test done in August 2004**
Modifications: Comptech ice box, DC header, stock catalytic converter, old o2 sensor, and 2.5 Tanabe racing medallion exhaust. Ignition timing retarded -2 degrees. (158,000+ miles on the LS)

HC(PPM) MAX AVE MEAS
M1: 15 MPH 90 21 137 -FAILED
M2: 25MPH 56 13 67 -FAILED

CO(%) MAX AVE MEAS
M1: 15 MPH 0.54 0.06 0.49 -FAILED
M2: 25 MPH 0.53 0.05 0.65 -FAILED

NO (PPM) MAX AVE MEAS
M1: 15 MPH 711 150 1118 -FAILED
M2: 25 MPH 754 136 95 -FAILED

After procrastinating for 6 months, I finally installed the brand new o2 sensor...

**Smog pre-test done in January 2005**
Modifications: Comptech ice box, DC header, stock catalytic converter, new o2 sensor, and 2.5 Tanabe racing medallion exhaust. Ignition timing retarded by -2 degrees. (165,000+ miles on the LS)

HC(PPM) MAX AVE MEAS
M1: 15 MPH 90 21 65 -PASSED
M2: 25MPH 56 13 31 -PASSED

CO(%) MAX AVE MEAS
M1: 15 MPH 0.54 0.06 0.23 -PASSED
M2: 25 MPH 0.53 0.05 0.06 -PASSED

NO (PPM) MAX AVE MEAS
M1: 15 MPH 711 150 713 -FAILED (by only 2!)
M2: 25 MPH 754 136 301 -PASSED

What a difference the o2 sensor made! However, it still sucked to fail. I only missed it by 2!!

I drove my car hard on the freeway for an hour before the smog test. Unfortunately, when I got to the shop, I had to wait an hour before I was able to take the smog test. Maybe I should have drove it around before I took the test. I was running on 89 octane (unleaded +).

Any suggestions on how I can bring the NO down? Would driving it before the test have made a noticable difference? Should I use super unleaded gas next time? Should I retard my timing more? Put it back to stock timing? Does weather play a factor? I'm going to re-test it this weekend. Any helpful advice would be appreciated!

 

i failed my first time i took emissions in washington state and i have heard we are kinda strict with that **** like you guys in cali.

the first time i barely failed. it failed in idle.

i re-took it and drove it hard for like a half an hour on i-5 before i took it.

this time i pulled right up with no wait and passed easily. i think that the longer you wait in line the harder it is to pass. i went in the morning towards the earlier stages of the month when i figured there would be the least amount of people.

 

Bump up to 91 oct and cut fuel pres. That always works for me!

 

i'd hate to waste another $70... so i think i'm going to be more prepared for the re-test.

 

you shoulda ran 91 octane at least.

we need a sticky thread on just passing smog, there's so many ppl and threads about passing smog, it should all be put into one.

 

NOx is caused by increased combustion temperatures. Pep Boys and other auto stores sell bottles of "Guaranteed to Pass" which should help a little, so does adding alcohol to the gas tank. I've never seen it here in Southern Cali, but that alcohol gas stations supposedly sell to keep your tank from freezing should help too.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TunerN00b &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">NOx is caused by increased combustion temperatures. Pep Boys and other auto stores sell bottles of "Guaranteed to Pass" which should help a little, so does adding alcohol to the gas tank. I've never seen it here in Southern Cali, but that alcohol gas stations supposedly sell to keep your tank from freezing should help too.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i have a friend who was close to passing and he added like a tablespoon of alcohol to his full tank of gas and he passed. he swears this is all he did, but i dont know.

 

i dont know about the alcohol thing... i think i'll stop by the auto store and see what they got. i'll look out for that GTP stuff.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SIK IN DA HED &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i'd hate to waste another $70... so i think i'm going to be more prepared for the re-test.</TD></TR></TABLE>

70 for a emissions?
wow...in GA its 25

 

Haha, sucks to live in CA, then again, i should keep quiet until i have to get my car passed...i'm so screwed.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by -iLLuZioN-B18C1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">70 for a emissions?
wow...in GA its 25</TD></TR></TABLE>

Damn. Paying for emissions? That sucks.

 

yea kali sux for emissions but its the best state to live in!...lol..yea im in the same process..i have to smog my car and i have a greddy turbo on my gsr and i removed the intercooler and bov..im scared i wont pass but i have no CIL and it seems fine but i dunno maybe visual?? im thinkin about going to the ref instead kuz its cheaper and i get more trys...

 

Just swap your stock header back on. Your CAT doesn't get or stay hot enough with the DC to do it's job properly. That's why you barely passed.

 

i picked up a bottle of that GTP... lets see if it helps. yeah emission tests are pretty expensive.

 

well, i used some of that GTP, added some super unleaded + to the gas tank, drove it hard for 30 minutes... and i passed right at the max at 711! haha damn, i was juiced. i dont think that GTP works, but i do recommend using higher octane and driving it hard before you take the test. especially, if you were barely passing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by autozone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">EMISSIONS PASS PROTECTION
Cleans clogged fuel injectors and dirty carburetors. Removes deposits on the intake valves and the entire fuel system. Reduces Hydrocarbon (HC), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Nitrous Oxide (NOX) emissions. Improves fuel stability, fuel economy, and driveability. Protects against fuel system corrosion in leaded or unleaded gasoline engines.
DOUBLE MONEY BACK GUARANTEE TO PASS EMISSIONS TEST.
Part #0212 NET 14 fl. oz. Pour Bottle</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

you should take advantage of that guarantee. i think the only reason why you passed was because you drove it hard and used super before you re-tested it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LAKER HATER &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you should take advantage of that guarantee. i think the only reason why you passed was because you drove it hard and used super before you re-tested it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I doubt that he can collect on that gaurantee since he did pass and was using the GTP stuff. There's no way for him to prove that the GTP didn't help him pass. Good job getting your SMOG cert tho!