Just Failed CA Smog. Now what?

[Okiedoke]

Originally Posted by glkuntz

I'm curious how the smog guy got away with using Federal instead of California certification. It's a Ca car is it not? The 49 state Federal standards are no doubt less strict than Ca. which is potentialil why the Max limits were higher, about what they used to be in Ca.

I sure hope you actually get your registration and that I can convince a local guy to do the same.

Gary

There was some text written in the engine bay by the air intake. There's supposedly a difference between a car build for CA vs a car than can be legally sold in CA. I would need to do a search to see if I can find it again, but I remember reading a post in these forums that said all the ZR-1s were the same. There were no special ones made specifically for CA. Maybe others with more knowledge in this area can shed more light on this topic.

[mike100]

Maybe in the 70's the CA car was quite different, but these days the certification thing is mostly a bribe to the state to be able to sell cars here. Many manufacturers choose to have two types to save on that fee while others with less complex distribution channels often just make the cars 50 states and pay the fee for every single one. Remember some NE states adopt CA regs... but anyways... it isn't important to this discussion because the federal vs CA status on the CA smog check system doesn't matter. Mine came up as a federal car and got the low limits.

It would seem more likely that the model designation 'ZR1' is more important to the limits as it had an extra 100hp and low production count which deserves the higher limits imo.

[mike100]

I'm going to check my certs later when I return home. When I bought it from the last owner, he lived in an unenhanced zip code. This would be the other reason for higher limits... but maybe not- maybe these guys aren't selecting the proper sub-model if what you say is true. You didn't change your mailing address in the last couple of weeks did you?

[mike100]

Another point: look at the test weight- 3500 lbs vs 4000 lbs. That will elevate the NOx so they adjusted the numbers. more resistance on the rollers basically. probably included full tank of fuel and passengers (gcwr probably).

This is an awesome find for CA ZR-1 owners

[Okiedoke]

Originally Posted by mike100

You didn't change your mailing address in the last couple of weeks did you?

LOL. No.

[Okiedoke]

Originally Posted by mike100

Another point: look at the test weight- 3500 lbs vs 4000 lbs. That will elevate the NOx so they adjusted the numbers. more resistance on the rollers basically. probably included full tank of fuel and passengers (gcwr probably).

This is an awesome find for CA ZR-1 owners

I did happen to have a fairly full tank of gas. I also had my second top in the trunk. I had the second top for the failed smog too.

Or could the state have just happened to change the limits in between the two tests?

[mike100]

Originally Posted by Okiedoke

I did happen to have a fairly full tank of gas. I also had my second top in the trunk. I had the second top for the failed smog too.

Or could the state have just happened to change the limits in between the two tests?

They don't weigh your car- the weight designation comes from their vehicle database and affects how much resistance the dyno provides the rollers. Basically makes the car have to push what it weighs. The ZR-1 is heavier and it seems that they have a special set of parameters for these cars that would be in our favor if you can bring it to the attention of the smog guy before he starts the test.

[Corvettes White]

After having lived here since I could drive.

The State tests cars to the manufacturer's certificate. Not the fact that the car just happens to be in the State. Now all the parts the car came with must be there and working in addition to passing the tail pipe test. And they can be sticklers about the parts. The cut off for smog testing is ’75, pre cat cars do not get tested (except maybe upon transfer.) As for the test levels having been reduced, I have a hard time believing this, unless it is related to the fact that we use oxygenated fuel, not available when older cars were built, and there is an adjustment for that fact.

As a practical matter, no one doing tests is likely to know what a Z even looks like. So if it looks stock, it will likely pass the visual test. I run a C5R in the ’99. It passes. And I looked up ’89 Z’s for my engine swap. The motor is listed in the CARB books for ’89 so a legal swap.

What I cannot legally do is go off the Las Vegas and buy a car to register it in California unless it is certified for California. They will not give me plates. But they will give me a ticket for keeping it in California without California plates. If I bought the car for my girlfriends use then brought it into California after 6 months it is now a used car and they will let it in.

What we do not have is yearly operational tests nor traffic cameras on the freeways in the middle of nowhere. There are not a lot of toll roads. The roads in most places are well maintained. On the freeways, the highway patrol officers are usually good natured. There is a lot of traffic in the main cities, no doubt. But when there is no traffic in Orange County, I commonly drive just under 80 and that is the flow of traffic. It is a big state with a lot of cars, unless you drive like a jerk, an idiot, or are talking on your cell phone without a seat belt, you are not likely to be pulled over for much of anything.

It is also interesting to note that driving styles change from community to community. LA I would rate as third world. Most of Orange County as civilized except around Newport Beach. In Newport I do not use my blinkers because the BMW’s and MB’s speed up to cut you off. San Francisco itself is a carnival. Most of the rest of the Bay Area people drive rather slow compared to SoCal. In the farm land a lot of hard working people. Most drive carefully, no extra money to pay for a ticket. As for the way north region where the marijuana grows, never been there but can imagine like a Cheech & Chong movie. Where I have constantly looked over my shoulder the most are in the states of Arizona and Ohio.

And the smog levels are very much reduced. So a tradeoff.

George

[tf95ZR1]

Congrats, Okiedoke!
I know how great it feels to finally pass.
Plus, hopefully now your Z will run even better
with new O2 sensors, etc.
And you don't have to pucker up for another 2 years!
Ted

PS And yes, I have old smog test sheets from years ago
for the exact same car (my Z) that prove the limits for
all parameters have been LOWERED. Same car, harder
to pass. Welcome to California!

[WARP TEN]

Originally Posted by Okiedoke

There was some text written in the engine bay by the air intake. There's supposedly a difference between a car build for CA vs a car than can be legally sold in CA. I would need to do a search to see if I can find it again, but I remember reading a post in these forums that said all the ZR-1s were the same. There were no special ones made specifically for CA. Maybe others with more knowledge in this area can shed more light on this topic.

The window sticker on my '95 lists "California Emissions Requirements" at $100, just below the Roof Package at $950. I believe the CAR was primarily an A.I.R system (which for me in Illinois is now in a box). --Bob