Smog Legal Japanese engines? Inquire within.

[tknbkthrsdy4anfg]

Ok, first let me give you all some background information. I work for an emissions lab where people bring their euro market cars to be certified for the US. On a one off basis, this is really expensive, in the 10's of thousands of dollars. But, my boss said CARB may be able to issue an executive order that would cover SR20's if its handled correctly.
So my questions to you with SR's is...
1. Has anyone taken their car to a smog station and had it sniffed? If so, how close is it? do you have any numbers?
2. Do SR's have evaprative systems? i.e. a charcoal canister etc...?
3. Is anyone interested in possibly paying a reasonable amount to have their cars able to be street legal so you arent freaking out every two years when smog comes around?

The reason I want this is because I want to SR my car, and not have to freak out when smog comes around about finding someone, not to mention rules are getting harder about fudging a smog test and penalties are getting higher. Also I dont want to have to worry about getting my hood lifted if I get pulled over. This wont just apply to SR's it would probably be possible to do RB's and CA's also, as long as the chassis is USDM.

Hope some of you are interested.
Thanks



List as of 8:30 AM PDT 5/29/07
Name (Forum, user name), Car year, engine [possible problems]
If your name isn't red I need your email address.

1. Nate (Zilvia, driftsub), 95, S14 SR,
2. Pablo O (Zilvia, ?) ?, ?
3. ? (Zilvia, xrockoutx) 89, Black
4. Oscar H (Zilvia, ?), 90, Redtop SR
5. Dave (Zilvia, Drift Freaq)S13, RB25DET
6. Yuri (Zilvia, Yuri), 89, Redtop SR
7. Chris M (Zilvia, ?) 93, ?
8. Danny C (Zilvia, ?), 93, ?
9. Danny C (Zilvia, ?), 96, ? [OBDII]
10. Jeffery C (Zilvia, ?), 95, Redtop
11. Tim R (Zilvia, timtiminy), ?, ?
12. Cameron (Zilvia, cmcdougle)95, RB20DET
13. Phil (Zilvia, coreansurfer)95, RB25DET
14. John Y (Zilvia, ?), S13, Blacktop
15. Tua H (Zilvia, ?), S14, Redtop [possible OBDII]
16. Chue H (Zilvia, ?), S14, blacktop SR [possible OBDII]
17. Xue H (Zilvia, ?), S13, Redtop SR
18. Gabriel A (Zilvia, Gabriel25), 97, ? [OBDII]
19. Brandon G-L (Zilvia, ?), ?, ?
20. Marshall J (Zilvia, ?), 96, ? [OBDII]
21. Tim M (Zilvia, delphis), 89, non-turbo [maybe a problem]
22. Kevin (Zilvia, KenshinS14sks), S14, ?
23. Kyle S (Zilvia, ?), 92, Redtop
24. Alex (Zilvia, Buntavy), 95, ?
25. Gavin (Zilvia, ?), ?, ?
26. Johnny P (Zilvia, ?) 89, Blacktop
27. Shawn W(Zilvia, hkss14sr20det) 95, S14
28. Mike (Zilvia, WISH ONE), ?, ?
29. Jesus F (Zilvia, ?), ?, ?
30. Javi R (Zilvia, ni5mo240), 91, Blacktop
31. A wei (Zilvia, wei240) 92?, ?
32. AJ (Zilvia, aj1356), 95, S15
33. Anthony T (Zilvia, lmananT), 92, Blacktop
34. James (Zilvia, ?), 90, Blacktop
35. Bua (CL)
36. Charles R (Zilvia, R-1chuk), 95, S14 SR
37. Richard R (?), 95, RB25DET
38. Will (Zilvia, Willow), 95, blacktop
39. Brian C (Zilvia, flipzide), ?, ?
40. Ron R (?), S14, ? [OBDII]
41. Yee (Zilvia, Tani 160), ?, ?
42. Yee (Zilvia, Tani 160), ?, ?
43. Yee (Zilvia, Tani 160), ?, ?
44. Dave C (?), ?, ?
45. Aaron (Zilvia, Agent_S13), 91, ?
46. ? (Zilvia, S13Disco) ?, ?
47. Michelle G (Zilvia, DP_Michelle G) 90, blacktop
48. Charles N (Zilvia, s13 charlie), 91, redtop
49. Brandon E (NICO) 93, ?
50. Reid B (?) 89, ?
51. ? (Zilvia, apexhumper) 95, ?
52. John (?) 92, ?
53. Andwele H (?) ?, ?
54. Tobe (NICO) ?, ?
55. Hieu V (Zilvia, bustaV13t) 95, blacktop
56. Bruno (NICO) ?, ?
57. Jerry (Zilvia, w0nderbr3ad)
58. Mel (Zilvia, !Zar!) ?, ?
59. Jason L (Zilvia, Aoshi112), 91, Redtop
60. Ernie (Zilvia, s13poop), S13, ?
61. Brandon B (Zilvia, staticbzer)96, s14 sr20det [OBDII]
62. James L(Zilvia, StaticX27), 95, S14
63. Niko P (Zilvia, grnappletree14), 95, redtop
64. Earl (Zilvia, domo dorigato), 96, redtop [OBDII]
65. Adrian H (Zilvia, ronmcdon), 96, S14 [OBDII]
66. Amir (Zilvia, SDS13Coupe), 89, Redtop
67. ? (Zilvia, bfellini), 93, RB25DET [Silvia?]
68. ? (Zilvia, driftage240), 91, Blacktop
69. John K (Zilvia, ProjNightshade), 95, S14
70. Eric T (Zilvia, 8o8cpv35), 93, S14
71. John (?) ?, ?
72. John (?) ?, ?
73. Vu D (?) 90, Blacktop
74. Jose R (?) 95, S15
75. Naser (Zilvia, Cnile51), 91, Redtop
76. Abel (NICO) 95, S14
77. Jeremy F (FA, formulaJEREMY) 93, Red
78. Steve K (FA, steve shadows) 90, ?
79. Yer (Zilvia, swift_style) S14, ?
80. Alan(?, ?) ?, ?
81. Ed (Zilvia, NISMO240SXSE1 ?, ?
82. ? (Zilvia, akito) ?, ?
83. ? (Zilvia, initialrt) ?, ?
84. ? (Zilvia, gt3071r240)?, ?
85. Jason M (Zilvia, slapinfunk 96, ? [OBDII]
86. Mike (Zilvia, s13 coupe) 95, S14
87. Chris T (NICO, ?) ?, ?
88. Luis F(?, ?)?, ?
89. Matt (Zilvia, Ranger240)90, ?
90. Don (Zilvia, fullmetalx) 91, ?
91. ? (Zilvia, misfitsfreak81) 95, redtop
92. Jeremy (FA, fro20) 92, black
93. Patrick (Zilvia, ballr858) 93, Red
94. Scott (Zilvia, FaLKoN240) 91, Red
95. Derrick (Zilvia, S14tiger) 98, RB25DET [OBDII]
96. Jim (Zilvia, HKsilvia) 92, S15
97. ? (Zilvia, gigimow)90, ?
98. Rick (Zilvia, Double_R) 89, Black
99. Emmanuel (Zilvia, drifting_sil_eighty) 91, Red
100. Garrett W (Zilvia, drifting_sil_eighty) 89, Red
101. Ross (zilvia, rossfashow) 89, Red
102. ? (Zilvia, rb13ski) 89, RB20
103. Luis C (Zilvia, K's_silvia2.0) 91, Red
104. Alex (?,?)?, ?
105. George C (Zilvia, Kaneda774)89, ?
106. Max (Zilvia, infamax) 89, ?
107. Justin J (Zilvia, na3j nitsuj) 90, ?
108. Bryan G (Zilvia, El Ray)
109. Jordan (Zilvia, gsxrjjordan) 91, red?
110. Kendrick D(Zilvia, hispeed) 90, ?
111. Robert L (Zilvia, Kuroi) ?, ?
112. Jason E (Zilvia, ReLevent1) 92, ?
113. Kyle P (Zilvia, ?) 92, ?
114. Luke D (FA, Iknownothings) 89, red
115. Eric H (Zilvia, turboeic)96, RB20DET [OBDII]
116. Nathan W (Zilvia, drift_wood) 90, ?
117. Zack (Zilvia, gordonliu) 92, ?
118. Zack (Zilvia, gordonliu) 90, ?
119. Ethan (zilvia, roboticnissan) 90, Red
120. Teddy D (SR20Forums, Teddy) 90, Red
121. Jared C (?,?) ?, ?
     
122. Young P (Nico, 180fan)89, black
123. ? (Zilvia, redsuns3838) 96, S14 [OBDII]
124. Pete (Zilvia, Petex) S13, Red
125. Brandon (?, ?) S13, Red
126. Matt F (Zilvia, uthemofo) S13, Red
127. Darius (Zilvia, Darius_tii) 97, S14 [OBDII]
128. ? (Zilvia, s14slide)?, ?
129. Mike (Zilvia, ixfxi) 90, black
130. Luis B (SR20, 91hatchsocal) 71, ? [Z-car]
     
131. Luis B (SR20, 91hatchsocal) 91, ?
132. ? (Zilvia, skylindrftr) 90, Red
133. ? (Zilvia, spitfire7) 91, Red
     
134. Eldridge M (?,?) 92, Red
135. ? (Zilvia, sileighty83) ?, ?
136. Skylar S (Zilvia, TheSquidd) ?, Red
137. Rusty E (NICO, rustest86) ?, ?
138. ? (SR20, 96_b14) 91, Black
139. George S (Zilvia, georgesal) 90, black
     
140. Jason C (?,?) 91, Red
141. Nash (Zilvia, panama DRIFT) 91, ?
142. Enrique (240forums, NISMOlvr) 92, Black
143. ? (FA, rusted180) ?, ?
     
144. Won C (?,?) ?,?
145. ? (Zilvia, RB S13) ?, ?
146. ? (Zilvia, Paseo654) 92, ?
147. ? (Nico, Jeyded) ?, ?
148. David J (Zilvia, zenki-217) 95, ?
149. Alistair S (FA, ?) S13, ?
     
150. Brian C (?, ?) 97, S14 [OBDII]
     
151. Andy Mc (Nico, Whiplash Willy) 90, Black
     
152. Richard (240sxforum, rabit1132kid) 95, ?
     
153. Steve D (240sxforum, rexbo) ?, ?
     
154. ? (Zilvia, usdmsilvia) ?, ?
     
155. HT (?, ?) ?, ?
     
156. ? (Zilvia, Jay Dee M) ?, ?
157. ? (Zilvia, duffman1278) 89, Red
158. ? (Zilvia, xblack240x) ?, ?
     
159. William S (NICO, JustinStrife) 90, S14
160. Hugo S (?,?) 93, Red
161. Marc P (Nico, ?) ?,?
     
162. Glenn N (Zilvia, ?) 90, Black
163. Glenn N (Zilvia, ?) 93, Red
164. Chris S (Zilvia, icedoutsoulja13) 91, ?
165. Jimmy Mc (?,?) (3, ?
166. Steve T (Zilvia, Turkey22) 91, Red
167. ? (FA, tricorp) 98, ? [OBDII]
168. Mike D (Zilvia, bullitt4110) 89, ?
169. Noah S (?, ?) ?, ?
170. Darren O (Zilvia, DoriftoPnoy) 97, S14 [OBDII]
     

[Flybert]

Of course people are interested and yes, SR's use a charcoal canister. Just start listing prices and what kind of parts people would have to run to make it legal. Would you have to run stock injectors, MAFS, BOV, ECU or would you have to have a stock SR because that's no fun. Or is it solely based off of passing a smog test and the parts don't matter? There are people around the country that pass smog with SR's so I'm sure it's possible.

[tknbkthrsdy4anfg]

Well I know people around the country do, but I am talking about a CARB executive order.
I dont know what its going to take, I am just trying to guage interest and to have facts and not opinions to give to him.
thanks for replying though

[pablo180]

This is one of the main reasons why I sold my SR powered S13.
Out of curiosity, which emissions lab do you work for?

Also, have any exective orders been issued in the past? If so, for what cars?

Pablo

[soreballz]

I've heard of SR's passing the sniffer test with no cat. Not sure how true that is, though.
And yes, I'm sure LOTS of people would be interested in this just so long as its 100% legit (rather than some loophole that won't be open for much longer like the propane idea).

[TheTimanator]

Originally Posted by tknbkthrsdy4anfg

1. Has anyone taken their car to a smog station and had it sniffed? If so, how close is it? do you have any numbers?

not in california, but I've pasted mine in TN so have many others.
Our standards aren't quite as strict but there have been a few people on the boards that said the sniffer test just fine...but only failed when they popped the hood.

[wootwoot]

Lets just try and get e85 going as well. 105 octane for the streets and easily passing sniffer would be nice. Ive never understood the visual test. If you pass the sniffer and have all the other required equipment, why the f does it matter?

[tknbkthrsdy4anfg]

Well in california there is alot of extra laws the other states dont have I dont know all of the specifics but I do know
You cannot have a breather,
if you modify the engine such as an intake, exhaust, chip, ignition parts etc, it has to have a CARB sticker.
the evaporative system must be intact.
you cant have any disconnected vacuum lines.
your timing has to be within a tolerance of factory spec
your gascap has to hold pressure...
um thats all I can think of.

The cars we have issued E.O's for are
Porsche 959's (mostly)
McLaren F1's
various ferraris and lambos
A few different non-diesel mercedes and BMW's
and alot of different smaller Harley Davidson manufacturers as well as chinese, thai, korean, italian and indian scooter manufacturers.
and also aftermarket companies such as nology.
It would be 100% legit, CARB E.O. in hand if it works out, the biggest factor right now I think is getting enough people in California interested.

[GSXRJJordan]

the biggest problem isn't interest... it's the fact that since SRs arent legal anyway, NOBODY has a stock SR with all the emissions crap intact (yes, we all know some lame guy with a stock SR, its just a generalization). Also, no SR parts have CARB stickers because the SR isnt CARB legal - that comes later. It's an excellent first step, and once we start talking numbers I think a lot of people will get on board, but a bunch of us will still be dodgin those vis inspections.

[zugoi]

im sure if theres an easy way to make their SR carb legal with eo numbers all sr owners will be interested.

[WilloW]

I would like to know more about this.

[dirtdiggler666]

it kinda makes me wonder ok my car is not sr its stock ka. but when i bought it to change ownership you have to smog it, and i had to go to a test only gov station and yes im in cali. well i took it their it passed with no problems, so i took it have and started to take it apart to build it. and noticed that it dident have a stock muffler it was a stright thru pipe type of muffler then i took off the cat and their was no hunnycomb shit it was stright thru. hummmmm that just makes me wonder

[sr20drifter1]

I live in VA and I have a '98 blacktop S13 Sr20det. I took it to a gas station to have it inspected. It failed the first time.When they changed the O2 sensor, it passed without any problem. I always take my car to the same guys to have it inspected.I'm completly street legal.

[Cashizslick]

^ Thats the thing - California is where the problems for SR owners are . . .


In most other parts of the country, if it says Nissan on the motor, its considered legal.

[steve shadows]

Originally Posted by Cashizslick

^ Thats the thing - California is where the problems for SR owners are . . .


In most other parts of the country, if it says Nissan on the motor, its considered legal.

Technically According to FEDERAL EPA standards it is not legal anywhere.

CA is just overactive, like really hyper about smog regulations and have their own dedicated beuracracies for it.

[xrockoutx]

Though it doesn't help much, my blacktop passed the sniffer test with flying colours in Reno, Nevada.

[projectRDM]

Problem is, you're dealing with a community of very limited funds and very high ignorance. I'd say 75% of current 240SX owners don't care to spend the money for something tangible, and don't understand the benefits or the pitfalls of failing/passing legally when they can just throw change at a dirtball emissions tester and forget about it. These kids simply do not care about the fact that an SR swap of any kind is still illegal, no matter how cool it is. I think you're going to have a hard time proving that it's a viable option for an EO number and that it will benefit those drivers in the long run, especially since they'll have sold their cars or stuffed them into a tree and moved on to the next thing when you finally have something solid formed. Good luck but don't get your hopes up too high.

[Wei240]

this thing is analogous to legalizing/importing jdm stuff like skylines,
most people would want it, yes, but most are broke/cheap
unlike those mclaren, lambo, porsche, harley owners

but go for it, see what you can find/do, maybe this thing can work out...

there was a couple people here that works for emissions/smog centers, they should have alot of numbers for you... if they're willing to share...

[PhilthyS13]

I really don't think an SR will pass CA emissions, cat or not. I don't think sr's have an egr, which is one reason the visual component is required on a test. I don't think any jdm cars have an egr for that matter. The egr lowers CO2 levels, so when my car was on the sniffer (with a cat), the CO2 was off the scale. Plus, every 240 I know of is getting those damned Test Only notices. Maybe you can weld two cats together (some cars come with two).

On a side note - I was reading the uk sr20 fsm and I think the UK sr's have an egr, which might make passing easier. It might be easier starting from there.

Just register the car in an area where smog is not required (except when selling the car). That would be in a gray area on this map:

http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/ftp/pdfdocs/program_map.pdf

I thought about doing that, but it still won't stop some overzealous law enforcement officer from ruining my day with a ref ticket. I keep hearing that they're going to change this law, but it hasn't happened yet.

As far as legalizing the sr20 - I don't think it's gonna happen any time soon. We're all too poor to shell out the cash for that. And if I had that kind of cash, I'd have a BMW.

[irax]

if you want I have a friend with a completely stock SR with emissions on it, ill direct him to this link.

[sileighty83]

I had a semi stock SR and exhaust... passed in Oregon and thats at a GOV. run station they are strict to cause they r all tree huggin hippes and evironmentalists but im hella interested in legalization! long story short... car was stolen wth motor going to get another SR

[Tenchuu]

Originally Posted by sileighty83

I had a semi stock SR and exhaust... passed in Oregon and thats at a GOV. run station they are strict to cause they r all tree huggin hippes and evironmentalists but im hella interested in legalization! long story short... car was stolen wth motor going to get another SR

depends what part of OR it is in. only two counties have emmissions. all the rest of the state falls under the "must not obstruct the view of other motorisit" emmissions law.

[coreansurfer]

my rb25 passes the sniffer with flying colors, but fails the visual, i live in oc

[tknbkthrsdy4anfg]

This pretty much only applies to people living in Cali, you guys in the other states pretty much get away with whatever.

R240- I think you hit the nail on the head, seems like people dont care if they can find a way around the law.

The reason I want this done is to be able to have a legit SR20DET powered 240sx. I dont want to have to look over my shoulder all the time and worry about getting reffed. I also dont want to have to pay someone to pass my car illegally. My goal is to get this cert around $300- 400 per car for the life of the car. Not upwards of $150 bucks every time smog rolls around (what I have heard it costs). Not to mention having the comfort of if I do get reffed having the paperwork saying that my car is legit.

Philthy- An EGR is just one means Nissan used to cut emissions, just like a catalyst or air injection. Under a CARB e.o., if the car passes tail pipe emissions it will not need it. There are plenty of cars without Exhaust Gas Recirculation that will pass smog.

My bottom line is, is anyone interested in paying around $300-400 to have a certified SR or RB or CA powered 240?

[tknbkthrsdy4anfg]

Originally Posted by coreansurfer

my rb25 passes the sniffer with flying colors, but fails the visual, i live in oc

And you're not alone I know of a few people that have RB series motors that will pass sniffer and not visual

[coreansurfer]

if you could legalize my rb id give you more than 400

[PhilthyS13]

Originally Posted by tknbkthrsdy4anfg

Philthy- An EGR is just one means Nissan used to cut emissions, just like a catalyst or air injection. Under a CARB e.o., if the car passes tail pipe emissions it will not need it. There are plenty of cars without Exhaust Gas Recirculation that will pass smog.

My bottom line is, is anyone interested in paying around $300-400 to have a certified SR or RB or CA powered 240?

I think it's required, which is why all the above mentioned engines won't pass visual. If it wasn't required, why would egr inspection be the first step in the visual component? If your egr is modified in any way, you fail - which is why I think it's an essential component.

From: http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/StdPage....y-May_1996.htm

"EGR Functional: During the Smog Check inspection, the technician performs a functional test of the EGR system per the vehicle manufacturer's instructions. This ensures the EGR system is operating as designed.

EGR Visual: As part of the Smog Check inspection, the technician performs a visual inspection of all emission components the vehicle is equipped with, including the EGR system. The technician visually inspects the EGR valve and associated plumbing for defects or modifications. The technician will either pass or fail the EGR visual test based on observations made during the test."


But please sign me up for the legalization. I'm in.

[tknbkthrsdy4anfg]

Philthy- This refers to vehicles that were equipped with an EGR. if you look in the wording,
"As part of the Smog Check inspection, the technician performs a visual inspection of all emission components the vehicle is equipped with, including the EGR system. The technician visually inspects the EGR valve and associated plumbing for defects or modifications. The technician will either pass or fail the EGR visual test based on observations made during the test."

To my knowledge no JDM engines are equipped with EGR's because it is probably the most barbaric way of emission reduction possible and robs you of alot of horsepower. Therefore under the certificate an EGR would not be required.

[Vatche]

for anyone who passes smog , thats great but you will not pass a test only station with an SR. and the visual part is bullshit, my car passed sniffer with no cat. no egr, with upgraded fuel pump. no charcoal canister, no egr. just visual that gets us.

[tknbkthrsdy4anfg]

Ok wow, this is the point of getting it a certificate, sure it will pass a sniffer, we gotta work on gettin a cert to be legal