SMOG CHECK QUESTION...

[lotuscupcar]

Yup my first smog check is coming up.

I have DECAT+Arqray since day one=won't pass smog.

Will have to put stock cat + OEM exhaust on.

HOWEVER, diffuser doesn't have hole for OEM exhaust

QUESTION: You think techs will give me a hard time with no diffuser and naked rear?

DUE TO LACK OF TIME: entertaining taking the car to shop to switch exahust and do smog. Quotes are $200 + smog fees. Sounds high for a few minute exhaust bolt and unbolt.


Thoughts?

Thanks!

[Kimgt]

I believe Harry @ A1 can help you with that last bit.

he can swap all the stuff, smog you and swap it back.

[onETon]

I can't imagine smog techs giving you a hard time due to lack of body panels. Cops however, may be a different story.

[Wmangm]

Based on what i see driving on the road in California i don't think anyone would even know the diffuser is missing.

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[lotuscupcar]

Originally Posted by onETon

I can't imagine smog techs giving you a hard time due to lack of body panels. Cops however, may be a different story.

Cops aren't an issue in this case.


Wmangm
Thanks. He smogged my last two cars. WIll ask him what he thinks.

[SIIK2NR]

I would just throw the CAT back on and be done with it.... then remove it. The diffusor and panel are a non issue as stated.

[sirnonz]

just put the oem cat and muffler back minus the diffuser.

[Klint]

You can test it with no clam for all that matter. Body panels have absolutely no effect on smog test results.

Just make sure your Cat is on and your 02 sensors are there too. What exhaust you have does not matter at all, as long as its after the cat.

Make sure you are stock in terms of other emission components. (evap must be there, intake must be the stock one bc we don't have a carb legal one except the hks i think)

Make sure you have no check engine light

If you turn off the check engine light you should drive it 50-100 miles for the computer to relearn itself.

I'm a smog tech also

[[P²]]

You don't need oem exhaust to pass smog. I've passed many times with aftermarket exhausts. I would just put the cat on.

[lotuscupcar]

Thanks guys. Will reset the CEL and drive it as you guys said.

[shay2nak]

mine's coming up by end of the year, but I have a header.. Wonder if will pass with sport cat, stock ECU and throw on the stock exhaust.

[lotuscupcar]

Ara

One or my neighbors about a mike down passed with sport cat. Rest of car stock. I have passed other cars with headers, but they were "friendly" techs

I miss the days of calling in and havung the smog done for $150, without ever having to go to the station.

[sturgeongeneral]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

mine's coming up by end of the year, but I have a header.. Wonder if will pass with sport cat, stock ECU and throw on the stock exhaust.

It may be tough with the sport cat, but possible. I got mine to pass with a Katanna and a sport cat but had to put in the original tiny injectors. Barely passed, but got it.

[lotuscupcar]

I still haven't gotten around to mine. Just did Non Op, so they are all sitting in the garage.

[sturgeongeneral]

Originally Posted by [P²]

You don't need oem exhaust to pass smog. I've passed many times with aftermarket exhausts. I would just put the cat on.

Agree. Just put the cat on, not stock exhaust.

[lotuscupcar]

Originally Posted by Klint

You can test it with no clam for all that matter. Body panels have absolutely no effect on smog test results.

Just make sure your Cat is on and your 02 sensors are there too. What exhaust you have does not matter at all, as long as its after the cat.

Make sure you are stock in terms of other emission components. (evap must be there, intake must be the stock one bc we don't have a carb legal one except the hks i think)

Make sure you have no check engine light

If you turn off the check engine light you should drive it 50-100 miles for the computer to relearn itself.

I'm a smog tech also

Klint my car has had NO CAT + Arqray since I bought it new (literally changed the exhaust the first week)

The 02 has a L shaped bung on there, that never worked (CEL was on)

So after all these years, if I swap the OEM cat back on, will I need a new 02 sensor? Did the 02 sensor go bad for any reason (smelling no cat air?)

Thanks.

[addertooth]

Your second oxygen sensor should be fine if it was in the exhaust stream. Long time exposure to the elements (if it was just left hanging in the rain), and using leaded fuel (and some of the aftermarket octane boosters in your fuel) is what is known to kill the sensor which was connected up post-cat.

[lotuscupcar]

Thanks. yeah it was in the system.

[300hpMR2]

Lotuscupcar, are you still non-op or did you get smogged? My smog is due this Thursday. I'm having a hard time even getting a place to pretest my car. The shops say they can't do it, don't know how to do it (never tested a lotus before), and/or that I need to go to the dealer to get smogged!

[lotuscupcar]

Originally Posted by 300hpMR2

Lotuscupcar, are you still non-op or did you get slogged? My smog is due this Thursday. I'm having a hard time even getting a place to pretest my car. The shops say they can't do it, don't know how to do it (never tested a lotus before), and/or that I need to go to the dealer to get smogged!

I just non op'd the car, since I don't have the time to switch the cat out.