I've been on h-t now for a while now, just observing mostly. I'm a designer from Pittsburgh and I have an interview with Honda NA out in Torrance this January. Not to jinx it, but I think I've got a pretty good shot at the job and have been feaverishly planning my s2k build up for when I get out there. Anyone that knows anything about Pittsburgh weather can understand my desire for the 365 day top-down driving season.

Anyway, the point of my post is to ask about experiences with performance upgrades conflicting with California state laws, especially emissions. I'm not to familiar with the rules out there, just know they are tighter. Even though I'm a designer, I've always wrenched on my own stuff, even building some CBR600 powered mini-formula cars in college ( http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/org/sae ), and so my performance upgrades are as important to me as the looks. So I'm hoping that some of you can give me some heads up on things like computer mapping, exhaust components (especially with forced induction) and as always, some sweet pictures are always welcome.

Thanks

 

well if you have parents in pittsburgh, or you currently have a home there or are planning on keeping a home in pittsburgh, you can always keep the car registered in pa.... this way laws in california will not apply to you...

many people in virginia do this... in northern virginia (dc metro area) we have rather strict emissions standards... however.. if you live outside of northern virginia (further south and to the west) there is no emissions... so people will register their cars in those areas (if they have homes in those areas or family).. and they never have to worry about emissions on cars...

 

Thats not a bad idea. But then do I have to register it in their name? Do I have to bring it back here each year to get the inspection renewed? My brother lives in NH and has a 1000hp trans am that he gets away with since there are next to no requirements for inspection. I should register it up there.

 

well that would be the only main issue.. since pa to california is quite a ways away......

you would have to get the car back to pa to get your emissions or inspection or whatever you guys need in your state....(this will all depend on the laws in the state that you register the car in)

as for registering the car.... it should be ok registering it in your name.... you are "technically" a resident of that house that you have put down for the address of the car....

 

Yeah thats what I figured. I guess its a little more feasible within the same state like you in VA where you are only talking about going to a different county. Its like that here in PA too. The requirements are different county to county, especially with alot of country hills, those areas don't do emissions. I guess I'm just gonna have to do my homework and find out exactly how much (visual inspections, conputer diagnostics, etc) I can get away with.

But then there is always the possiblity that I don't get the job and this will have been just a bunch of wishful dreaming.

 

you'll be lucky if you get the job.. maybe you'll even be lucky enough to take your S on their test track.... it's freeking crazy....

i know one of the marketing managers over there..

 

most after market parts are made in regulation with the California state law...Like Papa said, keep the car registered in PA and your golden

good luck with the job, i have been itching to get to Cali for some time now. I think i will fly out there this summer and just wing a two week vacation

 

Good old CARB will get you sooner or later. Do what they say, register it in PA. The other way to put it off further is to buy a new car, you get that 5 year grace period. Cops have left me alone so far, exhaust and all. I still have my cat, so I guess I'm not breaking any rules.

 

Grace Period? like if I buy a brand new car from a dealer?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Stallion &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Grace Period? like if I buy a brand new car from a dealer?</TD></TR></TABLE>

if you buy a brand new car you don't have to worry about emissions for 5 years in california....

it makes sense... if you bought a brand new car you shouldn't have issues with your cat....

 

you might want to check this out...

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/newtoca/newtoca.htm

basically, once you establish residency or get a job here, you have a limited time to register your out-of-state car, so keeping it registered out of state probably won't work.

what some people do put back on their stock parts when it's time for smog inspection. After they pass, they bolt back on their aftermarket stuff.

 

My last car was a civic with a built motor....It defied almost every smog law in california! It got to be such a pain in the ***! Finding a way to get it smogged was a hassle. In California The cops will not hesistate to pop your hood and give you a BAR(Beraeu Of Automotive Repair) ticket. Then you are not supposed to drive the car until it passes smog and a visiual inspection at the state ref. You can get the car impounded if pulled over with a ref ticket! IF you get one and you are lucky you may only have to pay a $350-750 fine (Depending on what modifications the ticket said) , or you may have to go to the ref, or maybe both! I used to be hard headed and think It is well worth it..I love my car. IT gets old. Spending $$$$$$ on internal mods, then getting a ticket, and being like "how the expletive am I going to Take my new pistons out?"Maybe I am just lazy, or not as harcore now? Either way I Love my S!Not to mention Shellingout $1500 (give or Take) everytime I needed a refresh...and I did the labor myself!. That thing sounded good, but was really loud. This is one of my main reasons for getting an AP1. The cae was meant to be a true sports car. So balanced and smooth. Great Factory power. Highly effincient motor. It is fun as hell to drive stock! There are very few modifacations needed. Basic bolt-ons, and suspension!!! just food for thought....

 

Yeah this is more of what I was expecting to hear. thanks for the heads up. I saw you reply to my hardtop post too. I know its a great car and if/when I move out there, I really want to make it happen. But I just don't want it to be 'show'. I wanna give it some 'go' too.

As you said before, I defintiely want to rock that hardtop on the street. Its badass. And I've already developed a list of subtle stuff to make it nice and clean, not rice. Front lip, lights, susp, wheels/tires... But me and the state of California are going to have a difference of opinions it seems on the supercharger, cams, exhaust....

I'll just have to keep doing my homework and see what I can get away with

 

Well if you want to supercharge it....i think Vortech's kit is C.A.R.B. legal. It comes with a sticker you place under the hood saying it meets emissions requirements. If you want to go turbo that is fairly easy to take off if you need to pass smog, or get a ref ticket...then throw it back on. N/A is cake.....as long as you do much internal work...It is easier to get away with a loud N/A car.when you get used to driving it you can keep it pretty quite at partial throttle.Then if you get your hood popped you can have it looking virtually stock.In my opinion if it was meant for Forced induction Honda would have made it that way.There are ways around it if you do want to though. You will just need to spend some $$$$$ and maybe a lot of time. I was lucky enough to have a shop and have almost any tool at my disposal, but it was still a pain.With basic bolt ons you may be able to past smog visual even.(Intake/Header/exhaust) You may just want to get the car when you get here, and drive it for a few months....then decide about options of more power....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ladius &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you might want to check this out...

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/newtoca/newtoca.htm

basically, once you establish residency or get a job here, you have a limited time to register your out-of-state car, so keeping it registered out of state probably won't work.

what some people do put back on their stock parts when it's time for smog inspection. After they pass, they bolt back on their aftermarket stuff.</TD></TR></TABLE>

there is a way around it... if you're able to afford an S then you can afford to buy a small little junker car.... buy a junker.. insure it as cheaply as you can and resiter it in california.. (with your california residency)....

as for the S.. register it in the other state that you have a house in... and mod the hell out of it.. and cali can't do a damn thing about it...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Stallion &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

As you said before, I defintiely want to rock that hardtop on the street. Its badass. And I've already developed a list of subtle stuff to make it nice and clean, not rice. Front lip, lights, susp, wheels/tires... But me and the state of California are going to have a difference of opinions it seems on the supercharger, cams, exhaust....

</TD></TR></TABLE>

no need for cams on this car.. it's a waste of money....