CA/LA Smog

[skristedja]

If I bring a car with DME and chassis VIN matching, the ref complains that he can't tell the DME is that of the M3's because of the non-M VIN. If I bring a car with VIN mismatched, he complains that all numbers should be matching... They love dicking me around but they do need the latter to compare with whatever they have in their system, and it has to be a perfect match.

None of that should concern you though. You'll be fine. Plenty of M3s with small tweaks (eg. smg to manual) passing smog.

That's ridiculous! I'm really curious as to where they are getting the software version they use as the benchmark for the comparison (and exactly what that comparison entails) since BMW was never obligated to provide software for the e46 to the CARB. It would make sense that the state ref has a more stringent process that includes the checksum comparison, I just don't see when or where they could reliably obtain the benchmark software.

Hope you're able to get your swaps passed! Too bad going back to stock isn't really an option, I guess there's always Arizona! 😅

[Maxima SE]

What’s the best way for flashing back to OEM DME?

also do you guys know if DME updates at the dealer would erase existing custom tunes ?

[kaiv]

Thanks for the data point Kevin! Any idea if it could have been simply due the VIN reading from the ECU not matching the vehicle VIN? My CSL boxed (and CSL software on MSS54hp conversion) car is due for a smog soon. Since I still haven't seen a good solution to get the CSL software to pass emissions, I'm going to try and pass with somewhat stock MSS54 software running an alpha-n tune on my original DME with the CSL box still installed. I've had luck with smog guys not even popping the hood.

All my previous smogs have been on 100% stock software so this should be a good test. If they recorded the data and compare it to the alpha-n tune, it should fail. If they decide to record it now, I'll at least have an easier tune to revert to for future smogs (won't need to fully swap in MAF and stock box). I'll share my results soon.

If I bring a car with DME and chassis VIN matching, the ref complains that he can't tell the DME is that of the M3's because of the non-M VIN. If I bring a car with VIN mismatched, he complains that all numbers should be matching... They love dicking me around but they do need the latter to compare with whatever they have in their system, and it has to be a perfect match.

None of that should concern you though. You'll be fine. Plenty of M3s with small tweaks (eg. smg to manual) passing smog.

[ATB88]

@ the OP, I just got my stock engine/exhaust but lowered M3 smogged in Pasadena last week. The shop only checked under the hood visual quick and basic, nothing probed under the car with mirrors etc like my last experience elsewhere. I made the comment to the nice older guy (owner I think) who was the only staff there that he probably rarely sees a stock one and he said no, because if it’s modded it “won’t pass the computer check anyway”. The shop is Vista Test Only Center on Colorado Blvd. I went on a Friday morning. He did say the computer prompted him to reverify the mileage for suspected fraud because it only has 44k! He quizzed me a bit about that. They also had a coupon on Smogtips.com, even better!

Thanks for the data point! I'll probably go see this guy, it sounds like he's unlikely to notice/complain about my OEM euro headers + cats, as they look OE to anyone not in the know.

Life has made it such that I haven't had a chance to install my SS stuff yet, and I'm now within the window to get my smog done for this year's registration, making my situation simpler.

So my plan now is to:

1. Revert back to stock airbox/DME
2. Smog
3. Re-install CSL airbox/DME, install SSV1s + cats, TUUUUUNE

Stoked to finally get to the good stuff!!

[skristedja]

They are literally doing this.

I took an E46 S54 conversion to the state ref for engine swap certification, with the only software tweak being EWS delete. They were quite cryptic about why they were failing it but it was software "mismatch". The donor was a CA car, registered and smogged here, and it turned out they had previously recorded the data...

Thanks for the data point Kevin! Any idea if it could have been simply due the VIN reading from the ECU not matching the vehicle VIN? My CSL boxed (and CSL software on MSS54hp conversion) car is due for a smog soon. Since I still haven't seen a good solution to get the CSL software to pass emissions, I'm going to try and pass with somewhat stock MSS54 software running an alpha-n tune on my original DME with the CSL box still installed. I've had luck with smog guys not even popping the hood.

All my previous smogs have been on 100% stock software so this should be a good test. If they recorded the data and compare it to the alpha-n tune, it should fail. If they decide to record it now, I'll at least have an easier tune to revert to for future smogs (won't need to fully swap in MAF and stock box). I'll share my results soon.

[Bimmerjeff]

@ the OP, I just got my stock engine/exhaust but lowered M3 smogged in Pasadena last week. The shop only checked under the hood visual quick and basic, nothing probed under the car with mirrors etc like my last experience elsewhere. I made the comment to the nice older guy (owner I think) who was the only staff there that he probably rarely sees a stock one and he said no, because if it’s modded it “won’t pass the computer check anyway”. The shop is Vista Test Only Center on Colorado Blvd. I went on a Friday morning. He did say the computer prompted him to reverify the mileage for suspected fraud because it only has 44k! He quizzed me a bit about that. They also had a coupon on Smogtips.com, even better!

[kaiv]

I'll add that in my experience so far this has only been an issue at the ref. They are constantly adding hurdles to the engine swap cert process.

Smog tests (regular or STAR): no problem with modified parameter files.

[kaiv]

What I haven't been able to find is whether the BAR-OIS software will automatically record your CVN in the event that no manufacturer data was provided and use that as the baseline for future inspections. I don't believe so, but idk. Admin law is a bitch because they basically get to make their own rules and they're usually so poorly managed that you can't even find the rules that they feel like following.

this is what baffles me, do they really plan on crowdsourcing ECU data from whoever comes in for smog checks and the most consistent reads become the new standard?

Sounds like something California would do.

They are literally doing this.

I took an E46 S54 conversion to the state ref for engine swap certification, with the only software tweak being EWS delete. They were quite cryptic about why they were failing it but it was software "mismatch". The donor was a CA car, registered and smogged here, and it turned out they had previously recorded the data...

[Tbonem3]

Awesome! Thanks Raj!

Time to edit some binaries!

[L0okitzRaj]

Hey guys, I wanted to put this out there... I just had my 2004 through smog. I have previously used ECU worx to do add shift lights and a few other things INCLUDING rear o2 sensor delete (while still plugged in) and I was able to PASS. I also had the EVAP monitor not ready (irrelevant for the topic) and I was still able to pass.

So it seems like if you're able to pass visual, and all your monitors are ready, you should still pass with things like post-cat o2 sensor delete (like i did).

Cheers! (i guess it's time to buy some headers)

[jet_dogg]

It being early and a new change it is hard to say what they may do, a lot is possible at this time.

Are you talking about “Test Only Station” stuff or something else like fake smog tests that don’t jive with machines? Could you elaborate on this and what Evo ppl are doing.

Good luck getting anything more than a terse, cryptic response.

[oceansize]

I have an F15 X5d here in CA with a non-stock tune. I'm not expecting it to pass (due early December, so going to find out soon!), and my tuner isn't even sure if he restores the backups if the check number will revert back, or if I'll need the dealer to flash the car before it will clear smog. In the diesel forums other owners with old bimmers shared their understanding that cars prior to some year (I think it was 2007) may not be subject to the same software check because the electronics on many different car models/brands aren't really compatible for it. Sounds like we're seeing a few different things here. I wonder if my small adjustments using the ECU Worx tool would throw it out. For what? My slightly raised idle?

Yes, the checksum would be different regardless of how small we perceive the change to be but to date no one on this forum has been flagged so perhaps our cars are too "old" which is great news.

[JamesSJ1]

I have an F15 X5d here in CA with a non-stock tune. I'm not expecting it to pass (due early December, so going to find out soon!), and my tuner isn't even sure if he restores the backups if the check number will revert back, or if I'll need the dealer to flash the car before it will clear smog. In the diesel forums other owners with old bimmers shared their understanding that cars prior to some year (I think it was 2007) may not be subject to the same software check because the electronics on many different car models/brands aren't really compatible for it. Sounds like we're seeing a few different things here. I wonder if my small adjustments using the ECU Worx tool would throw it out. For what? My slightly raised idle?

[old///MFanatic]

That's what they have done with Evos. Get the wrong smog at the wrong shop and they flag you and send you a letter later. For all we know, they pass it and then ref it later before the next registration.

It being early and a new change it is hard to say what they may do, a lot is possible at this time.

Are you talking about “Test Only Station” stuff or something else like fake smog tests that don’t jive with machines? Could you elaborate on this and what Evo ppl are doing.

[old///MFanatic]

I already received the new registration tag. It sounds odd that they would issue the tag and later flag me. Wait and see.

Agreed, if you fail then you don’t get your certificate and can’t register. Never heard of it done differently. Even if you did get a letter afterwards. You could ignore it for a year if you wanted and pretend you never got a notice.