I have a couple of questions regarding compression and passing certain state tests... As most, if not all of you know, California has some of the strictest laws regarding emissions and vehicles. Several of my friends, and even members on this board have been sent to the State Referee... I was just curious if higher compression would affect the test. I was planning on running a N/A setup which included Jun 3 or Toda B cams and some CTR Pistons. Say my setup was fully installed, and I got pulled over and the officer sent me to state referee, if I removed everything but my pistons, (bottom end), would/could I still pass the test? Are there ways to get around it? I don't want to touch my bottom end, and find out that I won't be able to pass the test at all with aftermarket or OEM pistons.
Thanks in advance,

Chris

 

I wouldn't say compression alone would make you fail. The main thing I have failed in the past for is headwork. I say if you don't have some insanely ported head you should be fine especially with stock cams and timing . Failing a test can be caused by numerous things, timing too low, bad plugs, cat, fuel pressure etc


[Modified by Halo, 11:36 PM 6/21/2002]

 

Hey Chris,

Just to let you know, I just passed smog legally (CA) with my 93 gsr running 11.6, CTR cams (gears back to 0,0) a clogged cat and the stock ecu Like Halo said, compression along is not going to make you fail. If you have a custom ecu that runs rich, you probably would want to swap it back to stock. If you car was stock with just pistons, you shouldn't have any problems passing the sniffer.

good luck!!
1.7NA

 

Smog shouldn't be too much of a problem, I don't have to Smog my car for another 3 years... What about state referee? Will I pass that with all stock motor except for pistons? I basically don't wanna touch my bottom end and find out that when I get sent to state referee by a cop that I have to take apart my block and re-install stock pistons...

 

crvtec setup, smogable in cali?

 

no crvtec or lsvtec swaps in cali are smog/ref legal. they said u cant interchange parts on a motor. some cant tell though. only way to do this is swap in an ls, ref it, and then put on the vtec head.

krazy

 

I am getting very close to building my motor, if someone could answer my question I would greatly appreciate it.. Would I be able to pass with a stock motor except for having CTR pistons? If not, could I compensate for that by using a thicker headgasket? Need answers ASAP! Thanks!

 

The only thing that higher compression may help you fail is NOx. It is the Nitrogen Oxide emissions level. It is caused by too much heat. I dont think that CTR pistons alone are enough to make you fail NOx. For the question will a thicker headgasket solve that, most likely because your removeing heat, but I doubt that will be necessary. Go for it.

 

So basically, if I return EVERYTHING in my motor to stock, except for the CTR pistons, I should be able to pass?

 

I've asked those who have your setup and they said thy pass smog as long you have a apexi vafc.