I'm posting this up here since the hybrid forum doesn't get as much looks as over here. Anyways, the swap is finally done. No CEL. Just the ABS light but that isn't emissions. Any tips on what precautions to take before going to the smog ref? I've read around about some "guaranteed-to-pass" fuel additives or somethin? Also, I'm in the Bay Area, where should I make an appointment at? I've heard good things about one college in Alameda, I can't remember the name, and Skyline College in Fremont I think? Let me know. Thanks.

Sorry to the folks and mods that think this is in the wrong place.

 

go to a test only center and smog ur car. it's cheap to just smog ur car. the expensive part is what the dmv requires, which you dont have to pay to smog ur car. on your way to the state ref, drive ur car HARD. go WOT and everything. get ur engine real hot. dont turn off ur engine when u get there. keep ur car on and have them smog it.

 

Hmm, so you're saying smog test it first before going to the Ref? I'm guessing this is to see the results before possibly failing at the Ref right?

I guess I'll have some fun on the way to the Ref then..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by OutlawCL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I guess I'll have some fun on the way to the Ref then..</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats the spirit! But just like empathy said, make sure you get that cat hotter than hell, and keep it that way.

 

Advance the timing about 3-4 degrees as well...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MackDad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Advance the timing about 3-4 degrees as well...</TD></TR></TABLE>

bad... they check timing and everything from top to bottom, even db check at state ref... and for test only centers for that matter...

you are only allowed + - 1 or 2 degrees of factory spec i believe...

you can use Heet... i used that as well just for safe measures... 3 or 4 of those on like a half tank-o-gas...

other than that, only little things you CAN really do... like empathy said... get your cat really hot so it's working at its full potential... tire pressure plays a little part, but plays a part none the less if you're border line.. simply put, less tire touching the dyno, less work for the engine... blah blah you can do the math

and i guess there really much isnt more you CAN really try to do until you see the numbers and see, that is if you do fail, what further steps can be done

and as far as going to a "good place to smog"... dont know where you heard but that is bogus... state ref's have the same emission standards as test only centers, so unless you can get a hook up, they will all be the same

 

is 'HEET' safe for 02 sensors and cats?

 

i used it... no problems. and i decided to use it only after reading many people have used it with no after effects.

 

Good to know, I recently failed my emissions test as well. Replacing cat, o2 sensor, fuel filter, and tune up stuff. Just thought about 'HEET' as just incase countermeasure.

 

What is "HEET" and what is it for?

 

An additive to add to your fuel. Acts as an anti-freeze for gas. It's suppose to help reduce your emissions reading because it burns 'cleaner'. Well atleast that's what I've read people say on this forum. I may try it as insurance...

It contains methyl Alcohol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bb_one &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">An additive to add to your fuel. Acts as an anti-freeze for gas. It's suppose to help reduce your emissions reading because it burns 'cleaner'. Well atleast that's what I've read people say on this forum. I may try it as insurance...

It contains methyl Alcohol</TD></TR></TABLE>

... basically that would help your hydro carbons... dont expect it to do much for anything else...

 

i use seafoam every time i do smog hasnt failed me yet

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by raylude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i use seafoam every time i do smog hasnt failed me yet </TD></TR></TABLE>

or maybe you think it helps but youve just been smog worthy the whole time

 

So nobody answered my question..why go to a test only smog center before the smog ref? II'm guessing this is to see the results before possibly failing at the Ref right? Thanks everybody for all the help so far.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by OutlawCL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So nobody answered my question..why go to a test only smog center before the smog ref? II'm guessing this is to see the results before possibly failing at the Ref right? Thanks everybody for all the help so far.</TD></TR></TABLE>

.. empathy said it himself... just in not so many words...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SNsLude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">or maybe you think it helps but youve just been smog worthy the whole time </TD></TR></TABLE>
good point

 

Thanks for all the help everybody. I'll let you guys know what happens.

[Good thing I posted here, my thread in the hybrid forum only got 1 reply]

 

Yep, run your car really hard right before. I passed all my smogs doing so. The last time the mechanic couldn't believed I passed with all the original equipment and 250,000 miles. Good luck

 

just remember if you fail once... make SURE you do take drastic measures to get it fixed... and not try "iffy" tune ups and fail again... all emission failures are recorded and will show up on carfax and such kinds of info... just for future fyi if you plan on selling your car

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SNsLude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">bad... they check timing and everything from top to bottom, even db check at state ref... and for test only centers for that matter...

you are only allowed + - 1 or 2 degrees of factory spec i believe...

you can use Heet... i used that as well just for safe measures... 3 or 4 of those on like a half tank-o-gas...

other than that, only little things you CAN really do... like empathy said... get your cat really hot so it's working at its full potential... tire pressure plays a little part, but plays a part none the less if you're border line.. simply put, less tire touching the dyno, less work for the engine... blah blah you can do the math

and i guess there really much isnt more you CAN really try to do until you see the numbers and see, that is if you do fail, what further steps can be done

and as far as going to a "good place to smog"... dont know where you heard but that is bogus... state ref's have the same emission standards as test only centers, so unless you can get a hook up, they will all be the same</TD></TR></TABLE>

i am telling him to go to a smog place to test his car first, so that if he fails there, he will know what he needs to fix before he fails in front of the state ref. if all goes well in front of a smog technician, then he should be find in front of a state ref. i talked about how he didnt need to get the actual smog certificate showing he smogged the car. just a print out of co2 levels and all the other good stuff.

edit: he has a h22 in a 97 CL. that is not the stock engine. i think he wants to get it BAR'd.

 

a test only center will not test a car that has a swap thats not bar'd, you would have to goto a test/repair place and even there the dumbasses who work there are hesitant to test a swap'd car, btw, its $30 to goto the ref and you get two passes, so its basically $15 for each sniffer test at the ref vs. prolly $20 for a "pre-test" at a test/repair facility, so its actually cheaper to just goto the ref to get your smog checks...otherwise, RETARDING (NOT ADVANCING) your timing will help with emissions, however i dont think you can do that with obdII h22's...its controlled by the ecu i believe, just goto the ref and take your first test, see what the results are, and then go from there, its better to find out your car will pass anyways than to start adding crap to fuel and what not which may not be the best for your car when you dont need to...