CA/LA Smog

[EthanolTurbo]

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.

[jet_dogg]

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

I've never heard of that in all my years either. You wouldn't get the tag as you said.

[Bay Area M]

You won't know you're flagged until later on. They most likely would send a letter in the mail.

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

[EthanolTurbo]

I was able to pass my M3 with a non-stock tune. I have the Euro headers and cats and the Evolve tune installed, and I surprisingly had no issues. Honestly, I did not expect to pass but I had to get the test because my registration was expiring the following week. Not sure why I wasn't flagged.

You won't know you're flagged until later on. They most likely would send a letter in the mail.

[jet_dogg]

Thanks for the data point.

[Bay Area M]

I was able to pass my M3 with a non-stock tune. I have the Euro headers and cats and the Evolve tune installed, and I surprisingly had no issues. Honestly, I did not expect to pass but I had to get the test because my registration was expiring the following week. Not sure why I wasn't flagged.

[NaM3]

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

This

[Tbonem3]

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

[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

[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.

[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.

[mrgreen387]

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

[NaM3]

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

[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!

[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.