you have to find a shop with an old exhaust analyzer that isn't plugged into the DMV. Not a big deal, but it helps to look around....

Matt

 

Just thought I'd like to add to this thread....

I registered my 2005 MCS today that I bought from a NAM member. Originally it was from WI.

It came with an Alta Intake and has the m7 16% pulley. OEM exhaust.

After registering at the DMV they said I needed to get it smogged, so conveniently across the street was a smog facility. They did the visual, and all the tests, and it passed.

42,226 miles on the odometer---car was purchased from dealer on April 2005, so you can figure the age.

They did do extensive visual checks with a flashlight in the engine area as well as using a tool with a mirror to look on the underside of the car--like they do at government buildings looking for bombs under the car.

Once it finished, the data was transmitted to the DMV electronically, I went back across the street and picked up my plates!

Richard

 

It has been my experience that most L.A. smog shops are really just looking to ensure that all the exhaust is getting to the tailpipe, and there is no air being added. I have never seen anyone looking for CARB stickers.

 

Out of curiousity, what were the test results? If you don't want to publish in the thread, I would still appreciate a PM of the results. I am wondering how close to the limits your car was at with its mods.

 

Except you still get the ticket.

In my friend's case, the only thing on the ticket was the tinting. County Sheriffs don't play like the CHP do.

 

Here ya go---I don't know how to read this info, but I typed it from the chart they gave me. Everything was a Pass.

15MPH
%CO2 = 15.0, %O=0.0
HC (PPM)
Max=60, Ave=4, Meas=7

CO(%)
Max=0.53, Ave=0.01, Meas=0.01

NO(PPM)
Max=459, Ave=16, Meas=25


25MPH
%CO2 = 15.1, %O=0.0
HC (PPM)
Max=43, Ave=4, Meas=7

CO(%)
Max=0.51, Ave=0.01, Meas=0.00

NO(PPM)
Max=746, Ave=18, Meas=15

 

The resullts are encouraging for California owners of MCSs - the car seems to respond to mods without going overboard. L.A. and the S.F. Bay are in areas that require a load-based (more stringent) SMOG test. The load-based test puts the car on rollers that simulate taking the car for a drive and testing under load. At both test scenarios (15 mph and 25 mph), the results indicate the engine with mods (15% s/c reduction pulley + CAI) has passed with room to spare:

15 MPH
HC (hydrocarbon emissions in Parts Per Million) - Maximum permitted is 60 PPM, the average of tested vehicles was 4 PPM, and the current test measured 7 PPM. On the 15MPH HC test, there was a 53 PPM cushion.

CO (carbon monoxide emissions as a percent of total emissions %) - Maximum permitted is 0.53% (a tiny bit more than 1/2 of 1%), the average of tested vehicles was 0.01%, and the current test measured 0.01%. On the 15MPH CO test, there was a 0.52% cushion.

NO (nitrogen oxide emissions in Parts Per Million) - Maximum permitted is 459, the average of tested vehicles was 16 PPM, and the current test measured 25 PPM. On the 15MPH NO test, there was a 434 PPM cushion.

Similar interpretations apply for the 25 mph test results.

The Cliff-Notes version of the test results is that the 15% s/c reduction pulley and CAI mods do not seem to make an appreciable adverse impact on the emissions profile of the MCS engine. It would have been real interesting to have seen what the test results would have been with the engine prior to the mods. There is a school of thought that moderate mods actually improve the test results because they enable the engine to operate more efficiently....

Thanks for posting the test results.

 

Wow really informative read on the numbers. Thanks!!! Just for reference, I've got the M7 16% pulley not 15%, Alta Intake, and Stock Exhaust as far as engine mods are concerned.

The car has 42,000+ miles on it and its a 2005 MCS.

Richard

 

at both the 15 and 25 mph tests, the motor is under load, unlike before. But the revs are low, and the load isn't large. So the car is off-boost and not working too hard.

If it's in closed loop mode (as it should be), and you have a healthy cat, then you should expect these types of numbers.

But it's good to see them, none the less......

Matt

this brings me to one of the things that really steams my shorts.... Mods that are benign to or even improve emissions are illegal unless they have the magic exemption number. I just HATE that!

 

Active duty military can be issued non-resident tags while stationed in Ca.This applies if you have a home of record outside the state,however if your home of record is Ca. then you must pay the full fees.Q

 

My appologies for the mix-up about the s/c reduction pulley percentage. 16% is even closer to my 17% pulley, which was why I was so interested in your test results. Thanks again for posting.

 

I hate it too. Which is one of the reasons that I don't completely object to the Peoples Democratic Republic of California characterization. A more reasonable approach would be to establish the testing limits. If you pass the test, then have at it. If you fail the test, you have 60 days to get the car re-tested and pass. Fail one more time, and the car doesn't get registered until it passes. Don't get into all of the cuteness about CARB Exemption numbers. The objective is to reduce emissions, not play games with market restrictions (which is really all that the Exemption number is - a permit to sell in the Peoples Democratic Republic of California)....

 

Actually, Der Fatherland might be more apt.

 

As I found out, SF Motorcycle Cops "with nothing better to do" will also ticket you for not having a front plate.

A $10 fine if you mount the plate and have the ticket signed off within 30 days ... over $100 ($122.97 last October) if you don't

 

Possibly if the reference is to 1932-1945 era. But the DPRC tag brings a more current analogy to mind - North Korea....

 

The company I used to work for was good at the "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission" attitude. It worked about 40% of the time. The other 60% got expensive.