CA Emissions/Smog

[mhoyt01]

Hey everybody,
I spent a better part of the day while I was work(and therefore supposed to be working) reading all your posts. You are all well spoken and informed, it's a pleasure to be here.

So, I'm the proud new owner of a '91 with 80k miles. It has a full comptech exhaust system(or so I thought), comtech airbox and ECU, custom cherry black paint, custom tan leather seats and Enkei 16/17". I was right pleased with it till yesterday when I failed smog miserably(on all six counts).

I was over on all six categories, will particular emphasis on the NO. I was gross polluter at 25 mph in the NO, which worries me on the 1 or 2 year renewal front.

Anyway, I got underneath the car tonight, and found that I don't have the comptech cats, but in fact teh stock ones which have been hollowed out to a degree that would impress that gopher in caddyshack. This setup without a doubt passed FL smog where the car is from, but doesn't stand a chance in CA

This is where you fine folk come in. Here are my thought,s FEEL FREE to add your suggestions.

1. Buy these: http://catalog.all-catalytic-converters.com/findparts.php/YearID/1991/ModelID/525/MakeCode/AC/MakeID/9 - The cheapest OEM replacements I could find

2. Buy some used - anybody got some?

3. Buy high flow ones - but I don't know which ones will work.

4. Do something one of you brilliant people think of.

Thanks so much in advance, glad to be part of the club.

Matt


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'91 Cherry Black 5 spd
'94 Ford Lightning 500hp
1/3 '03 FFR Sure it'll be an '03 =]

 

[flaminio]

My NSX failed smog last time 'round, too. The service manager found some federal regulatory thing and got the whole job warranteed. I didn't pay a dime. You might want to ask the service manager to research that.

-Bob

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Matt,

You have a few options and a little more research to do also.

Questions:

Does the car still have the 02 sensors in place?

Have you seen an engine check light at all?

If the 02 sensors are in place, and you have no engine check lights, it probably means that the 02 sensors are working fine, but without the cats your not lowering the emissions.

So you need some cats. Many folks here have removed them who live in places that they can get away with it.

I would reseach some used ones. Where to look:

1. ERZ Motors in NYC. Look them up in the directory on this site.

2. Please an ad in "parts wanted" on this site. I am sure you will get some responses.

3. Post an additional topic here asking for used cats.

If you want new ones. I am not sure about the site you mention. "Like OEM Quality" is some marketing guys expression, try to get a reference before you buy them.

You certainly can get the high flow cats$$$$ or you can call many of the "discount" dealers to get a discounted price on OEM cats.

You definately have a few options.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[mhoyt01]

Originally posted by Larry Bastanza:
Matt,

If the 02 sensors are in place, and you have no engine check lights, it probably means that the 02 sensors are working fine, but without the cats your not lowering the emissions.

Larry,
Above is indeed the case. Both O2 sensors look very new and there is no check engine light. And since my cats are in fact empty, I believe you said it right: "I need some cats." I'll throw up a deal in the wanted section.

My final question was, on the performance "high flow cats", will those pass CA smog, none of them seem to guarantee or even imply that they will...

Matt



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'91 Cherry Black 5 spd
'94 Ford Lightning 500hp
1/3 '03 FFR Sure it'll be an '03 =]

 

[NoClgDeg]

Now your NSX has been deemed a "gross polluter" so you will need to get a smog check every year for the next couple of years.

Next time get a pre-test before you actually do it.

I take it that you have never listened to a car without cats.

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91 Red/Ivory #2061

 

[Joel]

Originally posted by NoClgDeg:


Next time get a pre-test before you actually do it.

Just for references' sake, how do you do this? Do you just ask the guy at the smog place, "I want a pre-test done before you actually do a real test?" Can you do that?

 

[Joel]

Originally posted by mhoyt01:
custom tan leather seats
Matt

Matt,

Can you post pics of your custom seats?
Thanks.

 

[NoClgDeg]

Originally posted by Joel:
Just for references' sake, how do you do this? Do you just ask the guy at the smog place, "I want a pre-test done before you actually do a real test?" Can you do that?

Yes! It may cost a few bucks more but it is worth it. The real test is monitored by DMV. Once they got your number, you are screwed. Then you have to go to a test only center where they just hook up your car and if it failes, they will not fix it nor tell you how to fix it.

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91 Red/Ivory #2061

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by NoClgDeg:
I take it that you have never listened to a car without cats.

What? WHAT DID YOU SAY? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!

 

[mhoyt01]

Thanks for the advice guys,

NoClgDeg - I have pretty much zero expierience with the NSX. I'm a Ford guy =] So it came off the truck and I drove it over to the smog station. To be honest, it's not that loud, all my other cars with cats are louder, but upon closer examination, it definetly does not smell right back there.

Anyway, I got a used pair for w/40k miles for $200 so I should be set, save the gross polluter tag =[

Joel, I'll get some pix of those seats up tonight, I'm at work right now.

Matt

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'91 Cherry Black 5 spd
'94 Ford Lightning 500hp
1/3 '03 FFR Sure it'll be an '03 =]

 

[GDFELLA]

i HAVE A HI-FLO CAT THAT WILL WORK TO PASS EMISSIONS, THEY ARE THE SAME ONE i SELL TO ALL THE KIDS IN aRIZONA SO THEY CAN PASS. They run like $90 for a fellow NSX'r so call my shop or email me

480-464-7007
[email protected]

Aaron Ranker

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" Have you passed a domestic lately? "