Because they have a different way of testing the ECU for modifications compared to other states. I have a F80 M3, and the ECU is easily tuned to make a lot more power, and you can pass NJ state inspection 'tuned' here as long as you have all but one readiness completed and the rear o2 isn't turned off in the software. However, in Cali, an owner needs to put the car back to stock - the ECU - for it to pass. The inspector is looking for known CHECKSUM values that the stock ECU tune gives depending on the revisions of the software. I'd assume that an ECU modified with the stock GP software would also pass, but that's just a guess. This is completely independent of failing for visual differences from stock in the engine bay and exhaust system.

 

Because you're talking about how it's done in WI. This thread is about CA
Checksum
Checksum
Checksum
Yes, specifically the checksum
Because their system has a valid checksum for that year listed
He passed your car because it was legal in your State.
See above. hint CHECKSUM

 

They don't need to prove ****. Why would they. It's their license on the line. Much safer for them to just tell you to go somewhere else. You can argue aftermarket vs performance all you like but why would they even take that risk. I gave the example of aftermarket IC boots. It was enough for them to not want to risk losing their license over the color of my IC boots.

 

yes I do this all the time, I sell drop in ECU's for 250 $ with your vin and the factory JCW tune, the checksum is not altered so it passes

 

Bumpin this cuz i’m due in a few weeks. PM welcme if you’re not comfortable sharing in public.

 

Is your car heavily modded? How about your ecu? Is it tuned?

My plan is the opposite, but you could get a set of 380cc (if yours has something else) and Mr Blah’s jcw tuned ecu. The tune can handle header and cam so you don’t have to switch those back (if you have those). Drop in the ecu and 380cc just for smog time.

Me, I’ll use Mr blah’s ecu for mods and tuning (adrian) and use my stock ecu and 330cc for smog. The cam and header with oem cat will be hidden anyway. I have a cai in oem airbox. Pulley is the only part that hopefully the tech doesn’t see.

just my 2 cents and sharing what I would do if I were already tuned as wells as sharing my plans.

 

Rather than starting another thread, I'll add to this one.

I'm now in the same boat. Living in CA, my '05 Sa was last registered in Nevada (lived there 2019-2020), so currently not registered here. Mods currently include RMW's shorty header, 450cc injectors, 15% pulley, RMW dominator cam, and a Milltek cat. Tuned, of course. Airbox is OEM with a KN drop-in.

I'm looking at the following:
- Strip everything off and reflash the tune back to stock
- Swap ecu and tuning ala My Blah/Adrian
- South Dakota registration (still trying find out about insuring the vehicle after that)
- Nevada registration (still have friends there where I could possibly set up a seasonal residency)
- Utah registration (a friend just did this, but he has family (and an address) in Utah)

I'm willing to take it back to stock, as I still just love driving the car, but it would be nice if I could keep the extra power.

Does anyone else have out-of-CA registration experience with your CA-based vehicle? Is it worth jumping through the extra hoops for this?

 

A dominator cam is not very aggressive you can probably get that to pass emissions easily with the stock tune you might need to get some 380s and a JCW tune at worst. It's so easy to change injectors on this car