It looks like a new test will go into effect in a couple of weeks analyzing whether your ECU programming is stock (or CARB approved) or modified... so be prepared. Here is a link with more information.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a3...0Non%20Openers

 

I'm going through the referee process right now so I can chime in. In fact, I need to schedule an appointment. Thanks for the reminder

This won't change their processes much. They are already "stricter" than a standard smog check because they check absolutely everything. For example, my car gets a tailpipe check at the ref even though '00 and newer receive only visual and plugin for a typical biennial smog check. The average person never has to deal with the BAR or go to the referee though.

What this will affect is the typical smog check that everyone has to get every other year, but they have been recording CVNs and checksums for several years. The only thing that's changing now is that they won't be passing cars that come in with non-stock or non-approved cals. The real concern is when they start looking at the flash count and telling you that "oops, you've reprogrammed too recently/too many times. Now you have to go to the Ref".

Little understood fact: California is actually the only state that provides a path for people with modified cars to operate them legally on the street, via CARB approved modifications. According to federal law, any modification to a system associated with emissions system de-certifies the car for legal road use in the United States. Just because another state chooses not to enforce a law doesn't make it any more legal to do it.

 

Meh... we've been dealing with tight restrictions forever. Just adding another item to the list.

 

Considering you can't take modified ECUs into a bar station...it's not going to affect much.

If it already has a CARB EO number (think, greddy blue piggy back) then it's still going to pass.

This is for the dumb dumbs that flash their stock ecu because they put an intake on and they feel mad gains.

Keep a stock ecu handy for that time you get popped and get to take a trip to purgatory.

 

I think most ecus nowadays are programmed with the VIN so that's not going to work either.

 

It works if you keep the original ecu stock

 

So does paying someone $200 for an illegal smog

 

$200?! Shoot, must be nice

 

I'd gladly pay someone $400-500 every two years to avoid the hassle of smog and be able to keep a forced induction or kswap build on the road.

 

Nowadays, yeah. Most of the stuff that people on these forums are trying to get through smog, nope. BAR looks for Calibration Verification Number and cal checksum. None of that or the vin is reported by the 96-01 ecus.

I went a little hard with the keeping a spare ecu on hand program:

 

It just doesn't work if you get hood popped doe.

 

Yeah I've only sent one of my personal cars through smog and it still passed with oil blowing out of the tailpipe. Not even going to try to smog the supra, likely register in another state.

 

Buy a property in a smog free county and register your cars there. Never need to smog.

 

Yeah I know but I don't have that kind of white privilege.

 

Me neither

 

I know you're lyin but it's ok. One of these days I'll escape CA.

 

This.

Most people don't realize it's county by county.

My colleague moved to Mammoth area during shutdown because our company was generous enough to allow those of us who work trackside to move out of area and retain our associate status. He’s finally been able to register his 99% stock ‘97 R that fails tailpipe due to an aftermarket (carb legal) header that doesn’t light off the catalyst well.

 

Lol I'm serious. Too poor for that.

My buddy (not white) and his wife (also not white) are planning on buying a property in a smog free county.

Because he already owns his fun cars, all he has to do is transfer registration over to the new property. Never has to smog again. Must be nice!

 

This is the one and only thing about owing a street car that's actually just like racing.

Read the rulebook, understand the rulebook, and go find the tiny cracks in between the rules. Then carry on while understanding the consequences of being caught. No big deal .

 

If the fine doesn't cost as much as what you're winning, keep cheating!

 

I took my 07 SI to get smogged this past Friday, the 16th, and the tech said that he was not allowed to check. He claims that it automatically generated a notice saying that I have to take it to the state ref. Ugh! Since they were supposedly going to check ECU's for modification until the 19th, I figured my current map was fine. As a side note, I have the same map that I passed with the last time I smogged the car. I have an Injen CAI, shorty header, and a catback exhaust. Now, I will need to swap the OEM header, flash the car back to stock map, and drive around until the ecu is ready to be tested. It is annoying. Did you end up going to the ref yet?

 

Never replied to this, sorry. Done with the ref. It passed and I have my sticker. It's all back to 'fun mode' except I need some time to get the new cams in. Over the next year, plans are to find a couple of smog-legal parts so that I can maintain my program of swapping the ecu and injectors to go smog painlessly.