https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a3...HRv0IwFlE4VQ3Q

 

My first question is "How can they tell?" And, I'm being quite honest with this question, as I do not know the intricacies of what happens when an ECU gets tuned. Is there a switch that says it's "OEM" or "Unlocked"?

I can see an increase in plug-in performance modules being marketed...

 

There may be a few ways, but I'm thinking tuning may "leave a mark" of some sort.

 

Maaaaaan only in Cali...I hate to think what is next

 

People like to say that, but we don't have mandatory safety inspections like many states. Talk about a boondoggle for the automotive repair trades?

And...as much as I hate to admit it, the smog laws have seriously helped. I remember smog from the 60s and 70s- we probably have twice the number of cars now with a small fraction of the pollution.

So I get it.

 

Yeah no real data at all that would support the claim that over the top smog testing and having CA CARB approved only auto parts did anything for the smog problem. Since we are going to speculate without data I will say it was the EPA oversight and cleaning up the manufacturing and refineries that spewed more emissions in one day than all the cars for the entire year. Also cleaning up the diesel guidelines and emissions had more to help the smog issue but really nothing to do with cars.

This is just another nonsense legislation from horrible politicians that should be spending their time and far bigger and greater issues. I lived in Kalifornia for 50 years. No time has ANYONE ever had an issue getting their car smogged. This will not fix a thing. People know people and will get it done with or without a tune. Go drive around Santa Ana for a day and tell me those cars past smog legit.

Again this is just a complete waste of CA taxpayer dollars.

 

I'm glad you've found another state in which to be so happy!

 

The original factory tune can always be reflashed if the owner has a copy. It's a simple process to upload the original prior to the inspection then reflash the tune afterwards. After saying that, I have no idea how someone with extensive mods like larger turbos, cams and injectors will manage this other than selling their ride or moving to another state.

 

Growing up in Riverside, I remember PE being cancelled for air quality, the near-constant haze, and the gross, brown inversion layer that you would decend through when flying into Ontario. As much as these laws and seemingly over-regulation **** me off, I'm with you. I get it.

 

Maybe i'm just an a-hole, but I don't really care. I think somewhere along the way the diesel truck crowd messed increased the scrutiny for everyone. I'm too old to give a ****, my JCW Pro tuning kit is plenty sufficient for me. I can't drive this car 9/10ths in its current configuration and doubt I ever will. If it's more speed i'm looking for who knows maybe the next one will be a factory JCW car or a 911 Turbo.

 

So has anyone had to get smogged yet that is Stage 2?

I want to go stage 2 and have my new miltek DP ready to install but not if I have to uninstall then reinstall to just pass smog.
Not worth it, I'll just go Stage 1 with all my other upgrades.

 

BUMP

So has anyone had to get smogged in CA that is Stage 2? Did you pass?

 

I just looked at CA DMV's website, and it says that gasoline-powered cars less than 8 model years old do NOT need smog checks in California. So my 2018 shouldn't need a smog check til 2026. I am still sticking with either my JB+ or my Dinan Sport Plus module, since I still have remaining factory/CPO warranty til 5/24/23 with unlimited mileage. At least according to the paperwork I received when I purchased it used from MINI of Escondido.

 

I cannot imagine that any ECU tune (any type, plugin or permanent) would affect the emissions from the engine at all. What the tune does is increase the amount of turbo boost under acceleration. The emissions test is with the car idling.