CA/LA Smog

[Nate047]

Imagine narcing on your smog guy by posting their names publicly

[frenzy757]

QQ - might be stupid, but if I am doing an SMG to manual swap, I think there is a coding element there too...will that cause SMOG issues in CA?

[heinzboehmer]

QQ - might be stupid, but if I am doing an SMG to manual swap, I think there is a coding element there too...will that cause SMOG issues in CA?

Not if you're running a factory manual tune. You can flash the DME with WinKFP to get full factory software.

[old///MFanatic]

Are we getting reports of E46s failing CA Smog from all aftermarket tunes at this point?

Or was the assumed criteria to fail because of tunes changing overall “checksums” premature?

[ridebikes]

I have a dumb question: if CA owners have traditionally run cat-less headers on E46 M3s and eliminated CELs with a tune to pass, wouldn't the new requirement to flashback to "full factory software" effectively eliminate the ability to pass smog without OE catted headers? Or else you'd have a CEL every time I'd think.

[old///MFanatic]

I have a dumb question: if CA owners have traditionally run cat-less headers on E46 M3s and eliminated CELs with a tune to pass, wouldn't the new requirement to flashback to "full factory software" effectively eliminate the ability to pass smog without OE catted headers? Or else you'd have a CEL every time I'd think.

If I’m understanding your question correctly. Cat-less headers are illegal. (It’s technically illegal in all the USA to change stock government smog equipment from original configuration). States vary on what they mandate.
So the tune isn’t the biggest glaring issue there, the moved cats would fail in CA.

[EthanolTurbo]

I have a dumb question: if CA owners have traditionally run cat-less headers on E46 M3s and eliminated CELs with a tune to pass, wouldn't the new requirement to flashback to "full factory software" effectively eliminate the ability to pass smog without OE catted headers? Or else you'd have a CEL every time I'd think.

No because you can put the post o2 sensors in section 1 with cats and it shouldn't cause any CEL. The only issue would be with visual.

[ridebikes]

No because you can put the post o2 sensors in section 1 with cats and it shouldn't cause any CEL. The only issue would be with visual.

Got it! Thank you, that makes sense.

But if that's the case, and you can "always go back to stock" without a CEL, why so much worry about this new CA law?

If passing is always a laptop reflash away, doesn't "the visual" become the bigger concern if you're running catless headers?

That said, I've read there is a limit to the number of times the ECU can be flashed, so that's definitely a drawback.

Great info in this post so far!

[NaM3]

Have anyone in CA passed smog with a non OEM tune since they enforced the ECU law?

[mrgreen387]

If I was you, ask someone who has heavy modified car with no cat. They will tell you.

[jet_dogg]

Have anyone in CA passed smog with a non OEM tune since they enforced the ECU law?

This is the million dollar question.

[shibui]

Think I'll fail with a TTFS CSL SMG flash? That's all I have. Did it years ago and never had any problem with smog, so ridiculous to get punished for it now.

[zzyzx85]

Somewhat a moot point but I was able to pass smog after swapping my OE ECU and stock intake back on. I still have OE Euro headers and cats on my car.

Took some effort to get my catalyst monitor to go "ready" (damn hard to keep it under 60mph and 3k rpm in this thing lol).

With that out of the way, need to make some time to throw the Karbonius intake back on

[Tbonem3]

So that's a stock tune? We're looking for feedback from people with a tune, passing the OBD2 test.

[NaM3]

So that's a stock tune? We're looking for feedback from people with a tune, passing the OBD2 test.

This