Illegal california mods

[SQFiST]

seen on a thread that aftermarket downpipes are illegal in california. anything else i should be aware of before i spend more money?

 

[2006ser]

It all depends you can pass smog with a Cobb downpipe if the tech is not a bi*** if your worried about it don't mod the car because no mod is legal in California. Btw I'll sell you my Cobb downpipe if you want I'm going catless and I live in ca lol

 

[PhoenixM3]

seen on a thread that aftermarket downpipes are illegal in california. anything else i should be aware of before i spend more money?

Look into CARB.

 

[Holyfenix]

New cars don't have to smog for 6 years in CA. That being said, unless it's got a CARB # anything before the the cat that affects hp numbers is typically illegal, with very few exceptions. So any tune, intake, turbo, etc. etc. will not pass visual inspection. They don't tailpipe test cars made after 2000 anymore as the ECU measures emissions and a simple plug in test will tell the tech if the car is good there. If your the first owner mod away and then sell it or turn it back to stock before you have to smog.

~previous job at the state referee station in Sacramento.

 

[SQFiST]

california is no fun :C already ordered a CAI, i guess ill have to switch to stock for smog tests. other than that ill do other mods that dont require CARB certs

 

[SQFiST]

perfect answer. thanks!

even intercooler then i guess.. maybe i wont remove grill in front of the IC

 

[DRock]

Basically everything. The Cobb Stage 1 will pass as long as all the monitors are "on" or in a "ready state" also a catback exhaust is legal as long as it does not go over 93db.

 

[Holyfenix]

Personally on cars this new I wouldn't worry about and go ahead and mod whatever you want. Purchase some nice shelving while your at it for all your stock parts and make sure whatever tune you use is a flash tune that can turn your car back to stock. Personally I'm going to go all out with an upgraded turbo and all supporting mods, then change it back when it's time to smog. 6 years is a long time to not have to worry about it. Don't drive like an idiot and make a wise decision in your exhaust choice and the police should have no reason to pull you over and ask to inspect your vehicle.

Side note and it's probably obvious but suspension and appearance mods are not illegal, same goes for modifying the transmission (clutch, short throw etc.) as well as things like upgraded motor mounts.

Just one more caveat when it comes to exhaust 95decibels is the max but any exhaust that modifys the routing in a significant way can be considered illegal. Think switching. Exiting position or changing from single to dual exhaust or vice versa. The rules are ridiculous but that's what you get when a bunch of people who don't understand anything car related are in charge of trying to keep CA's air clean.

 

[IconST]

If a cop pulls you over for loud exhaust as nicely "officer where is your DB tester"? Lol
Works for me with my honda haha

 

[Holyfenix]

If a cop pulls you over for loud exhaust as nicely "officer where is your DB tester"? Lol
Works for me with my honda haha

LOL my friend tried that once, still got written up and sent to the ref, he actually passed the test but its a $108 test pass or fail. Its a ridiculous law, notice how Motorcycles are exempt? The guy who drafted the law rode Harley's and didn't want to have to make his quieter.

 

[IconST]

LOL my friend tried that once, still got written up and sent to the ref, he actually passed the test but its a $108 test pass or fail. Its a ridiculous law, notice how Motorcycles are exempt? The guy who drafted the law rode Harley's and didn't want to have to make his quieter.

Yeah cali sucks man they even have smog check points

 

[Ronbo]

Yeah cali sucks man they even have smog check points

Smog check points are completely voluntary.

 

[Im_Zee11]

If you want ca legal exhaust as far as I know mountune and FS werks are the only two that I know that come with carb numbers. As for intakes drop-ins And mountune's are fine too Cobb has been pursuing carb number. They "can" fail you for aftermarket intercooler but they cant take your car apart to check so I'd just keep a stock ish look on the color and the piping so I wouldn't worry too much on that. Also don't forget the bov too! They can apparently gig you on this too but there's not too much info on how to pass with one. ( how strict?, too loud, carb number?, vent to atmosphere, recirculated, etc). So if any one can give more info on their experiences on turbo smart or tial BOV that would be great. Turbo swaps are kind of out. I have heard it's possible to get away with water/meth kit because water injection is allowed and all you have to do is fill your tank with just water but idk crap about that

When I switched my registered my car from NY to CA they didn't say anything about my mishimoto oil catch can ( it has red hoses so it sticks out as aftermarket) but everything else was stock at the time. I have a feeling they wouldn't pass my mishimoto induction (black) hose even though I have the stock air box.

As some else previously mentioned mod away with suspension and tires, looks. If your like me trying to keep your car smog legal it's still possible to mod you just to be smart and plan it out.

 

[RAAMaudio]

Not all places in CA are the same.

Back in 2003 I was heading to work at the naval base on Coronado Island and was pulled over for loud exhaust which was absurd as it was not loud and Harley's were roaring by. He said he could stop me because my exhaust tip was not stock, showed me the new law and that he could impound the car unless I opened the hood, which he showed me in writing as well.

I got an expensive ticket, had to put the car back to stock which was a lot of work as much one off custom modding had been done including turbocharger system I built, go to the referee, got to court, then put it all back on of course. It was the first time I drove the car there in months and only because my commanding officer wanted to see it again and go for a ride. Usually he wanted to sit out in my audio competition Tacoma and enjoy the tunes.

 

[Holyfenix]

Yes California can really suck. They really like to stomp on the constitution in this state. 4th amendment is pretty clear on search and seizure. For whatever reason it's never fought in court though. I know it would be very expensive to have these laws overturned at the district court level and even then there is no guarantee they will be. Either leave car stock. Only use carb approved mods. Or risk it and mod to your hearts content. It's usually only CHP and some city cops that don't have anything better to do that will inspect your vehicle. County sheriffs typically don't bother unless you really piss them off. They have better things to do like actually fighting crime.

PS in case it wasn't obvious I have absolute respect for almost all county sheriff departments but quite the opposite for CHP and city cops. Glorified meter maids with guns.

 

[RAAMaudio]

I had two very expensive tickets in SLC where the motorcycle cops were hiding and just waiting to write up everyone they could for the most minor infractions one could imagine. Both times they were smug a holes, I am very nice to officers but when they are jerks I will end up saying something like how great it must make them feel to be used to extort money from those that look like they can afford to pay it instead of fighting crimes they are paid by us to do.

------------------------

The Matrix listed above had a cat and ran very clean, tailpipe would pass emissions testing, it was the second fastest SM class autocross car in SoCal so it handled well, brakes worked well, a very safe car. Go a few miles further south and thousands of beat up, nasty smelling, bad brakes, bald tires, no insurance cars and with mostly bad drivers coming over the boarder everyday and nothing being done about it, that kind of sucked as well.

 

[Zerodameaon]

Basically everything. The Cobb Stage 1 will pass as long as all the monitors are "on" or in a "ready state" also a catback exhaust is legal as long as it does not go over 93db.

MP215 is another that should pass no issues and has the advantage of C.A.R.B approval. I am pretty sure any of their non warranty voiding parts also benefit from that.

 

[neeqness]

LOL my friend tried that once, still got written up and sent to the ref, he actually passed the test but its a $108 test pass or fail. Its a ridiculous law, notice how Motorcycles are exempt? The guy who drafted the law rode Harley's and didn't want to have to make his quieter.

Loud pipes on motorcycles are considered a safety issue. Many bikers make them loud on purpose to make them more noticeable on the road and less likely to get hit.

Sent using Tapatalk

 

[neeqness]

Not all places in CA are the same.

Back in 2003 I was heading to work at the naval base on Coronado Island and was pulled over for loud exhaust which was absurd as it was not loud and Harley's were roaring by. He said he could stop me because my exhaust tip was not stock, showed me the new law and that he could impound the car unless I opened the hood, which he showed me in writing as well.

I got an expensive ticket, had to put the car back to stock which was a lot of work as much one off custom modding had been done including turbocharger system I built, go to the referee, got to court, then put it all back on of course. It was the first time I drove the car there in months and only because my commanding officer wanted to see it again and go for a ride. Usually he wanted to sit out in my audio competition Tacoma and enjoy the tunes.

I used to be stationed in Coronado too. They enforce that law strictly because it's a nice residential area around the base and people were complaining about loud exhaust in the past...

Sent using Tapatalk

 

[RAAMaudio]

I fully understand that but in my case the car was very quiet and Harleys were blasting buy with open exhausts, lifted trucks, some speeders, and I was just putting along nice and quiet, I think that is another form of profiling for profit and because he could. No offense to anybody meant but I can profile a bit as well, body builder cops generally have an attitude, this one sure did. He was a total jackass and I was being very cool about it, until the end when I let him know what I saw in his actions and attitude, he did not care for that much as can be imagined, offending his sensitive ego and all.