Hey guys, I am building a list for my 95 accord f22b2 turbo build until i saw something that might prevent me from doing it. This will be my DD and I read that there is no CARB approved turbo kits in CA to pass smog for my accord. Is that true? the one I read was for a 97 accord so I assumed that could affect me. Can someone confirm or correct me? Thanks!!

 

you are correct. no C.A.R.B. legal "kits" are in existence for that car. Only the D-series Edlebrock (and that's if they are still available). C.A.R.B legality is extremely expensive so its actually not worth the investment any longer for companies to participate in.

You simply have to go back to stock every few years, or know someone within the SMOG/CARB system.

 

damn that sucks. Do you think I should do the 2-year swapping? Dont really want to do a different engine swap since I already have the car and engine.

 

I would find a CARB sticker from an old GReddy kit (even if it were for B-series engine). Make your turbo setup and go from there. I'd never go back to stock after all that work every 2 years. But that's on you to decide.

 

yea thats what im saying ha gonna be a hassle every 2yrs but thanks for that idea. I will continue with my list and well see what I can find and see how it goes. Appreciate it.

 

Just pay someone for a illegal smog like the rest of all the good people here in California.

 

To me its either that, or register that thing in another state with some other family members.

 

Where In cali do you live?

 

you're best bet is build your setup so it is not that hard to pull off and put back to stock. I have to put my car back into stock form every two years for smog, i can get it done in an afternoon.
One thing to remember is that even if you know somebody who can " pass your car ",
you still need to worry about getting pulled over by the police. Over the years i have learned that those carb legal stickers don't always save you're day, most police officers don't know enough about cars and if they suspect that you have modified your car illegally, off to the smog ref you go. You will not get passed them. I was sent to the smog ref years ago because I didn't have the sticker for my DC Sports intake. Even though its legal, most cops don't care and will just send you to the Ref.
The key is to be low key with your car, don't cut your bumper to completely show off your shiny new front mount intercooller, don't put that shiny loud muffler on, etc, etc.
CA is a pain in the *** to live in with all of the smog rules, I guess i have just learned to adapt, I have been driving hondas here for almost 20 years

 

Yea I asked a few friends if they could hook me up.

 

I thought about that but didnt know how until you shined the light to register it out with family members. thanks!

 

North County San Diego

 

Dont have my complete setup yet havent got that far so well see when I get there. Yea hopefully that sticker help me :p but yes going to try a nice but little sleeper look, not into too much shiny anyway ha. but question for me is what right does a cop have to look under the hood? Wouldnt it go under the same concept as "serching the car"? Since he is "serching for illegal mods" same as serching for illegal drugs or weapons? Just wondering.

 

nope. its not based upon warrantless search and seizure exception to the 4th Amendment. Its basically to ensure that the car is "roadworthy". no different than a bumper hanging off or too much load on a car to be considered unsafe to drive on public roads. Having a turbo kit in California like that is considered to be a per se violation of vehicle usage under California State Statute.

 

Yea if you read all of the bullshit on the CARB site, the CHP site,and other California LEOs it basically gives them the right to pull you over, inspect your car, ticket/fine you, and require you to visit a ref if they discover any "illegal" modifications.

hence why I'll never live in California, unless I leave my cars registered out of state, although I'm not sure how the 25 year old and over vehicle emissions exemption works there (if at all)

 

You and me both. I'm all for sensible emissions regulation, but CA crosses the line IMO

 

Its not that bad.

Drive like a jackass get pulled over. Drive calm and race at the track and you're fine.

I haven't "smogged" my car since 08 I think. Just add the cost into the budget and keep moving.

I do feel that if you're running e85 you should be exempt from smog.

 

My STi backfires on downshifts and hard upshifts so its pretty obvious, even if i'm trying not to be a douche. Also, i think the 3" catless exhaust that smells like an outboard boat would be a dead giveaway. Pretty sure my car(s) will be registered in North Dakota (parents have a house there) for the forseeable future, even though i haven't lived there in 1.5+ years. Its $50 for registration and there are essentially zero limits on what you can do.

The big problem i have with California is that I can get pulled over and harassed whenever a cop feels like it. Thanks but no thanks...

 

aw man that sux -_-

 

Well if I have to see the ref then yea I'll just take the turbo off. Yea I dont see that happening ha.

 

agreed

 

Yeah true and good thing im not a jackass driver haha :p but only track I know in SD is the 1/8 -_- but if they did exempt e85 then for sure I would transition to that.

 

Yea cant be catless here unless youre exempt. Well I havent got pulled over yet but Im pretty sure once I finish this build thats gonna change haha.

 

Question for ya

My buddy at work has a 2013 or 14 sti and wants to modd it. Do you know of any good dyno shops around here? Los angeles area? He said he's already has the access port and want to put on a intake exhaust downpipe bla bla

But of course it won't make much of a difference without a tune. I just don't know where to send him

 

The acessport is a good start, it changed our 2015 launch edition entirely.

as far as exhausts, downpipes, and things like that, any of the name brand companies (cobb, perrin, invidia, etc) all make good parts for the car.

but pretty much any exhaust will make an sti loud, take the cat off and it's gonna backfire and throw flames no matter what you do.