CA Smog requirements... question

[enkrypt3d]

Thinking of buying an NSX thats in FL and heard that it could be a pain to pass the smog test here in Los Angeles... Does anyone know if I would have any problems getting the smog test approved in California? I didnt think it would be such a big deal..... any ideas?

 

[Daedalus]

It will only fail if A) There are mods to the emissions system, or B) It isn't running right. If B) then you may want to reconsider the purchase anyway, though something simple like a bad O2 sensor can cause it to fail. Modern cars (including a '91 NSX) run pretty clean when stock, even by CA standards, thanks to closed-loop feedback and tight controls on A/F ratios.

 

[nsx1]

My 2002 was a Florida car. It was stock when I bought it and the only thing I needed to do before registering it was; 1) get it inspected, and 2) get it smogged. I had not problems with either of those activities.

AAA did the inspection. They looked for the VIN numbers on the panels and verified that it was a "California Emissions Vehicle"... which (I believe) all modern USDM cars are.

 

[enkrypt3d]

yea the one I'm looking at is a 1997 NSX-T.... the only mods are comptech exhaust... which I'm pretty sure he kept the cats.... so it should be fine right?

Thanks for the help,
-enkrypt3d

 

[nsx1]

yea the one I'm looking at is a 1997 NSX-T.... the only mods are comptech exhaust... which I'm pretty sure he kept the cats.... so it should be fine right?

Yes... if the cats are there, all should be fine.

 

[Racerxjling]

I "believe" after 1980 or so that all cars were 50 state legal. I do know that it won't be an issue for any NSX in stock form of course. The C.A.R.B. stamp should still be on the CTech exhaust...I would double check in case for whatever reason someone removed it. Where are you located? I know a guy that does legit smogs in so. cal (Test only center as well) but is very light on the visual inspection.

Jeff

 

[nsx1]

I "believe" after 1980 or so that all cars were 50 state legal. I do know that it won't be an issue for any NSX in stock form of course. The C.A.R.B. stamp should still be on the CTech exhaust...I would double check in case for whatever reason someone removed it. Where are you located? I know a guy that does legit smogs in so. cal (Test only center as well) but is very light on the visual inspection.

Jeff

My understanding is that any catback exhaust does not have to be CARB certified... because it is after the CATS and O2 sensors. Can you imagine the cops setting outside a Magic Muffler Shop. The CT Headers are CARB certified, but I've never heard that CT Exhausts are... can enyone confirm that? California law states that the exhaust cannot exceed 95dB... which the CT Exhaust does NOT exceed. But I know cops that will write anyone up for having an aftermarket exhaust.

 

[Daedalus]

I "believe" after 1980 or so that all cars were 50 state legal.

It depends on the model and manufacturer. Legally, federal and CA emission laws define separate requirements. I know there were differing models for both markets at least into the 90s.

 

[demigod]

When my car came into the state, I had to smog it and it passed. It's a 98, and at the time it had Comptech headers, Comptech high flow cats, and Comptech exhaust. They just needed to warm up the cats before they tested it.

 

[NSXGMS]

My understanding is that any catback exhaust does not have to be CARB certified... because it is after the CATS and O2 sensors. Can you imagine the cops setting outside a Magic Muffler Shop. The CT Headers are CARB certified, but I've never heard that CT Exhausts are... can enyone confirm that? California law states that the exhaust cannot exceed 95dB... which the CT Exhaust does NOT exceed. But I know cops that will write anyone up for having an aftermarket exhaust.

With the abundance of cheapo fart-can exhausts in SoCal I can't imagine any CARB requirement for them. Headers for sure--CT and DC are CARB legal in CA. SOS are not, for example.

This is notwithstanding of the actual emissions test; you must first pass the test and then produce (if asked by Ernie the smog dude) your CARB sticker/cert. In my experience you can just bop from smog shop to smog shop in SoCal until you find someone that doesn't inquire about your aftermarket headers... Especially on the NSX because they're difficult to see. The police can and will stop you and can ask to see your CARB sticker, however.

 

[Hapa88]

I was told that ALL NSXs (1991-2005) sold in the United States are 50 State smog legal. I bought a 1995 NSX from New Hampshire and had it shipped here. Like stated before, I just need to get it smogged and inspected. I believe I brought it down to a Test-Only Smog station first, then by AAA to get it inspected the same day. Once the inspection was done, they handled all the registration there at AAA. Don't forget you need to pay CA sales tax on the "purchase price" even if you bought it from another state.

 

[NSXGMS]

I was told that ALL NSXs (1991-2005) sold in the United States are 50 State smog legal.

That's correct. But the OP's prospective FL car has an aftermarket exhaust installed. The CT exhaust should fly through CA emissions but not all exhausts will, althought there is no separate "certification" required for exhausts in CA AFAIK. Just a noise limit.

The point is just because a part is "legal" doesn't mean it will pass the actual emissions test and just because one passes emissions doesn't make their part "legal" (SOS headers, for example, in CA)