CA/LA Smog

[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.

[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]

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?

[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.

[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?

[Nate047]

Imagine narcing on your smog guy by posting their names publicly

[Samsonite79]

I meant with respect to passing smog

the number of flashes doesn't show up in the generic OBDII pid or mode 9 data, at least from what I can see. But INPA does show the # of flashes, and also the flash # increases if you modify the AIF data (rewriting the vin#) with tool32 too... so it's an artificial # like every mentioned.

[heinzboehmer]

Pretty sure the checksum is generated from the 64kb partial (or tune as it's sometimes called too). The flash counter is stored in another part of memory, so no, resetting it would not pose an issue.

[Tbonem3]

I meant with respect to passing smog

[heinzboehmer]

Yes, and I wonder what if resetting the counter causes a problem?

Nah it's just an artificial limit set by BMW. The chips themselves can probably be written to on the order of 100k+ times.

Skimmed the datasheet and found that they're guaranteed to be able to be erased 1,000,000 times, but not sure under what circumstances or whatever. Point is, you don't really have to worry about that.

[Tbonem3]

the dilemma is you have limited flashes... of course unless you buy mssflasher

Yes, and I wonder what if resetting the counter causes a problem?

[Samsonite79]

Pardon my ignorance on coding and tuning, but hypothetically if one were to reflash canned tunes back to the factory / default tune, this shouldn't create any issues with the CVN / checksum data correct? How about swapping ECUs with a virgin one?

Don't forget your eVIN has the match too, they use that to check if you are hot plugging or clean plugging.

[heinzboehmer]

I think people are more concerned about running any sort of change on their tune, not just performance/emissions related ones.

In my case, I have to run a couple changes to the tune to get my car to work correctly (I originally had a non-HP which I converted part of the hardware to HP spec so some software changes are required). Also it's just a bit ridiculous that changing something like the temp at which your tach lights go off will make you fail smog.

[old///MFanatic]

Pardon my ignorance on coding and tuning, but hypothetically if one were to reflash canned tunes back to the factory / default tune, this shouldn't create any issues with the CVN / checksum data correct?

That's basically what CARB wants you to do. It's really not that huge an issue. People should be more worried about headers and no cats than this. Heck Dinan's tune is CARB approved so they're in the clear. And those with the Conforti Shark tune can just swap it in, back and forth. Which makes me wonder if tuners are going to start offering it like the "Shark Injector" for this reason. I'm sure more coding qualified people can answer that question.

"Beginning July 19, 2021, vehicles with software not provided by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or approved through a California Air Resources Board (CARB) Executive Order (EO) will fail Smog Check.

Before your vehicle will pass a Smog Check, you must have the vehicle’s software restored to the OEM software version. Once the software is restored, have your vehicle reinspected by a licensed Smog Check station".

[sev]

Flashing back to your original factory file should be fine. BAR even said so, I think I remember reading in one of the posted links.

the dilemma is you have limited flashes... of course unless you buy mssflasher