CA emissions info - questions from a prospective resident

[2000NSXT]

I may be looking at CA to be my home in the near future and was wondering how you guys pass emissions with mods to your NSX? I am planning on installing on CT parts so far, which I think are CARB certified, but not sure if my DD will pass with an engine swap (it passes emissions fine here). Hmm ..... help!

 

[Valhalla]

Do yourself a favor. Keep a piece of property where you are and keep the car registered in that state. It is getting harder and harder with each passing year. CARB is not our friend.

 

[2000NSXT]

Yeah, I hear you, that is sad as a birthplace of American car culture policed to death ....

 

[Hrant]

Yes CT parts are carb legal and they will pass emission as long as your OEM cats are hot. The more reputable shops ask for the carb certificates. I have passed every time and I have my carb sticker on the firewall, I also have the actual written document in my JDM map bag LOL!

 

[BATMANs]

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm

 

[2000NSXT]

So, it is safe to say that my H22A swapped wagon is going to be very difficult to pass emissions in CA? It has a OEM cat but has aftermarket header and exhaust.

 

[BATMANs]

here are some of the things that I have learned from my personal experiences on emissions:

NEVER let your car get on the gross polluter list by failing smog (namely the sniffer portion) or u will have to test it EVERY year - PITA

If ur in doubt have a "pre-test" but DO NOT let them enter ur VIN or anything that would go into the "system" or it can kill ur chances of trying to "cheat" the system.

If u haven't u may want to check/replace ur O2 sensors, EGR and PCV valves. All of them are pretty inexpensive and can make life better for the NSX.

If u have an engine swap and the smog tech knows they may fail u for that reason alone since they are on this complex point system to "incentivize" failing people so you can go and buy the next new thing every 6 years.

Anything after the cat (mufflers) is of no concern to the emission folks since it deals with sound restriction, not smog ( but it will make them more suspect of ur car). Ur headers needs a CARB EO# associated to it.