[Slim415]

I live in CA. I've been really itching to get a single turbo or upgraded twin setup. But how much work will need to be done to make it smog legal? So far smog wise, I can pass by removing the DP's, intake and tune.

[en_bloc45]

Lmao wait what, in CA you CANNOT pass with catless DPs (some high flows even flag smog), you can only pass with a carb legal intake (BMS), and you CANNOT pass with a tune.

[Slim415]

Originally Posted by en_bloc45

Lmao wait what, in CA you CANNOT pass with catless DPs (some high flows even flag smog), you can only pass with a carb legal intake (BMS), and you CANNOT pass with a tune.

Yes I said I can pass if I remove my VRSF DP's, intake and tune. I have to put those stock parts back in to pass.

[335i54n]

upgraded twin with inlets is the only way in ca imo. then when smog comes around, reinstall stock intake, charge pipe and front inlet with dp fix (or put stock cat back on) and stock tune, rinse and repeat every 2yrs

[Slim415]

Originally Posted by 335i54n

upgraded twin with inlets is the only way in ca imo. then when smog comes around, reinstall stock intake, charge pipe and front inlet with dp fix (or put stock cat back on) and stock tune, rinse and repeat every 2yrs

So pretty much the same as what I already do plus the inlets. Doesn't sound too bad. The big turbo would fail smog? What if it's bottom mount?

[en_bloc45]

Originally Posted by Slim415

Yes I said I can pass if I remove my VRSF DP's, intake and tune. I have to put those stock parts back in to pass.

Oops sorry misread, but yeah the only way you'd pass legally would be upgraded twins. Reason being is the support needed for a single setup is usually not carb compliant, and it will def not pass a visual. My smog guy for the first time asked for the CARB sticker on my dci and he never had before and said he has to become more stricter because the DMV is coming down on shops and guys paying under the table for illegal smog.

CA just updated laws I believe and a couple of big name tuners are turning away from street tuning and going specifically for track cars because of the new policy. I was recently at irwindale and people were saying even flashing back to a "stock map" on mhd were causing flags, so people (myself included) had to flash completely back to base while removing MHD.

I was considering single turbo also a few months back but with how strict CA is becoming, I recently saw a mobile CHP dyno by an onramp so I knew now is not the time for that lmao

[Slim415]

Originally Posted by en_bloc45

Oops sorry misread, but yeah the only way you'd pass legally would be upgraded twins. Reason being is the support needed for a single setup is usually not carb compliant, and it will def not pass a visual. My smog guy for the first time asked for the CARB sticker on my dci and he never had before and said he has to become more stricter because the DMV is coming down on shops and guys paying under the table for illegal smog.

CA just updated laws I believe and a couple of big name tuners are turning away from street tuning and going specifically for track cars because of the new policy. I was recently at irwindale and people were saying even flashing back to a "stock map" on mhd were causing flags, so people (myself included) had to flash completely back to base while removing MHD.

I was considering single turbo also a few months back but with how strict CA is becoming, I recently saw a mobile CHP dyno by an onramp so I knew now is not the time for that lmao

Mobile CHP dyno, what the heck is that? I'm intrigued.

[Tyc0]

Yeah are they doing dyno runs on the side of the road to see if the car is stock?!

[RayLivingston]

In CA, as of just recently, you can no longer pass smog test if the ECU firmware has been modified. The software version number MUST be CARB approved, and correct for the vehicle being tested. I can't imagine how a turbo swap could work without modified firmware. And, as pointed out, unless the inspector is doing a very sloppy visual inspection, something as major as a turbo swap WILL get flagged, and will mean an automatic fail. A sloppy inspection, if caught, means the inspector loses his license, and likely also carries criminal responsibility, so I don't think you'll find many wiling to risk it.

[Vivek.]

No one can really hot smog a 2000+ car anymore. If it's not a stock tune you're screwed. If cats don't show readiness on the stock tune (you need to hit 60mph or something for this, there's a specific procedure that requires about 25 minutes of driving), it will fail. This means that whatever turbo you have needs to be able to run on the stock tune for 25+ minutes at up to 60mph without throwing any codes in order to smog it. This is regardless of knowing a guy who's willing to turn a blind eye to anything visual, which is still possible but getting more difficult.

Sucks, cuz not even that long ago you could hot smog just about anything for $350 or so. However, the latest thing is to renew registration or transfer the title without a smog cert. This is still possible if you know the right people (unfortunately I cannot help with this one but I had it done when I sold my old 335is in May).

[uniqa]

Is there some as provisions for upgraded twins in Germany?

[Slim415]

Originally Posted by Vivek.

No one can really hot smog a 2000+ car anymore. If it's not a stock tune you're screwed. If cats don't show readiness on the stock tune (you need to hit 60mph or something for this, there's a specific procedure that requires about 25 minutes of driving), it will fail. This means that whatever turbo you have needs to be able to run on the stock tune for 25+ minutes at up to 60mph without throwing any codes in order to smog it. This is regardless of knowing a guy who's willing to turn a blind eye to anything visual, which is still possible but getting more difficult.

Sucks, cuz not even that long ago you could hot smog just about anything for $350 or so. However, the latest thing is to renew registration or transfer the title without a smog cert. This is still possible if you know the right people (unfortunately I cannot help with this one but I had it done when I sold my old 335is in May).

Wait so your saying you can't run upgraded twins on a stock tune without throwing codes? That's not good. Smog readyness is a PITA to do already but I can't imagine trying to do it and then smog it before a code is thrown.

[Slim415]

And for the ppl who are saying the CA smog law has changed regarding DME software. What does this mean exactly for MHD? Flashing to stock? Uninstalling the software completely?

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by Slim415

Wait so your saying you can't run upgraded twins on a stock tune without throwing codes? That's not good. Smog readyness is a PITA to do already but I can't imagine trying to do it and then smog it before a code is thrown.

It may or may not throw codes--I don't know. I do know that upgraded twins are not designed to run on the stock tune and vice versa the stock map is designed for stock turbos. So it's a gamble at best.

[RayLivingston]

Originally Posted by Slim415

And for the ppl who are saying the CA smog law has changed regarding DME software. What does this mean exactly for MHD? Flashing to stock? Uninstalling the software completely?

Part of a CA smog checks now includes reading the firmware version number from the DME, and comparing it to the list of CARB-approved versions. If it is NOT one of the CARB-approved versions, the car is failed. Few "tuners" have bothered to get CARB approval for their mods, so unless you know for sure yours has, you should expect to fail.

[RayLivingston]

BTW - The new CA rules went into effect in July '21.

[IllSic_Design]

You can run upgraded turbos on a stock tune just fine, I do it every 2 years to smog.

In regards to MHD/tuning and passing smog, you will need to flash back to stock/oem map(Not stage 0 I believe), completely removing MHD and get all your emission monitors to set. Once you pass smog you can just install the tune again.

[Slim415]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

You can run upgraded turbos on a stock tune just fine, I do it every 2 years to smog.

In regards to MHD/tuning and passing smog, you will need to flash back to stock/oem map(Not stage 0 I believe), completely removing MHD and get all your emission monitors to set. Once you pass smog you can just install the tune again.

Thanks this is just what I needed to know. What part of NorCal are you from? I'm in SF. Do you ever go to meetups? I've been wondering if anything is going on in the Bay Area.

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by Slim415

Thanks this is just what I needed to know. What part of NorCal are you from? I'm in SF. Do you ever go to meetups? I've been wondering if anything is going on in the Bay Area.

Yes there are meetups every weekend. I find myself at car shows 2-3 times a week lately. This past weekend was a busy one with a CA Radhaus and Beyond City Limits event up in Sac on Saturday and then Valt Auto Club had a meetup in Moraga on Sunday but I was at the niners game. If you join Bay Area Drivers Club on facebook you can see upcoming drives. In Los Gatos there's a meet at Loma Brewing Company every third saturday in the morning (8am), mostly older BMWs but all are welcome. I bring my e30 to it occasionally.

There is a cars and coffee at ocean beach on the north part every few weeks as well, put on by various organizers. That's the main meet I know of in SF

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by Slim415

Thanks this is just what I needed to know. What part of NorCal are you from? I'm in SF. Do you ever go to meetups? I've been wondering if anything is going on in the Bay Area.

I'm in Woodland, near Sac. Nah I don't usually go to meets, I'd rather go for a drive. I'm in that Bay area drive FB group, but most of the drive are pretty far for me.

[en_bloc45]

Originally Posted by Tyc0

Yeah are they doing dyno runs on the side of the road to see if the car is stock?!

Yeah there not super common but they're def not rare. They hook up your car and see if your exhaust is running too rich (pop and bang tunes) and if it smells anything like corn or catless. Theyll issue a ref on the spot or impound it depending on the severity.

[Riceball777]

I Pass ca smog all the time with my upgraded pure stage 2 turbos. You just have to make sure you have the stock tune and stock down pipes on.