CA/LA Smog

[heinzboehmer]

does doing a partial bin dump/write eat up flash slots? i really dont want to deal with that. arggghhh

Yeah but there's like 20-something slots so you'll probably be fine. Worst case scenario, the paid version of MSSFlasher has the ability to reset the flash counter.

[2004LSB]

Hey everyone,

I've been digging through my old files when I got my first canned tune from Randy @ Epic for stock airbox, euro cats and headers configuration and came across this information when I did the preliminary ECU scan for him:

Vehicle Manufacturer Ecu Hardware Number : 7842981
Vehicle Manufacturer Ecu Software Number : 7842979
Vehicle Identification Number :XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

So if I'm interpreting this correctly, I'm assuming the CALID and CVN are pretty much the manufacturer's assigned ECU hardware and software numbers, and are unique to each specific vehicle? Tuners typically won't touch this information unless you request for them to delete or disable emissions related functions correct?

It would be nice if some of the well-known tuners can chime in.

[sev]

Unfortunately, some more digging made me think that's wrong. Probably wise to flash back to stock just to avoid any potential hassle. You can flash your changes back on afterwards.

does doing a partial bin dump/write eat up flash slots? i really dont want to deal with that. arggghhh

[heinzboehmer]

Oh shit this software thing goes into effect Jul 19. I'll do what I can to get my car smogged this week. That will at least buy me two years before I have to get it smogged again.

[heinzboehmer]

man i hope thats the case. I have to smog right now and I have my throttle mapping, shift lights, etc.

Unfortunately, some more digging made me think that's wrong. Probably wise to flash back to stock just to avoid any potential hassle. You can flash your changes back on afterwards.

[sev]

Hmm, sounds like as long as you're not messing with any emissions stuff in software (SAP delete, post cat O2 sensor delete, etc.), you should be fine.

I don't think you'd fail if you did some other software mod, like turning on sports mode memory or the shift lights. At least I hope so, it would suck to get flagged for something stupid like that.

man i hope thats the case. I have to smog right now and I have my throttle mapping, shift lights, etc.

[heinzboehmer]

https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/BAG/20210...d_Software.pdf It's getting more serious guys... well at least it seems like we would get a chance if they don't deem your software as completely off the charts wrong from their expectations.

BTW, my smog is due, so I'm going to revert everything back to stock including my tune and calibration... just to avoid this hassle, don't want to get flagged. I don't recall if my tune included a ews delete, but I'll soon find out.

If the CAL ID and CVN do not align with their database it looks like it will fail according to the attached PDF.

Edit: And the way I interpret this is that the CAL ID is a software version (?) and the CVN is a essentially a checksum. So your software version "XXXX" will generate CVN "YYYYY".

Change engine parameters and the CVN will now differ (as it is calculated) from the what your stock CVN was based off your OE software version.

Damn it, I was hoping the CVN and CAL ID were specific to the emissions stations, but after reading some more about this, I think you guys are right. Looks like those are a checksum and software version.

Well, I guess the internal pressure reading on my DME will be wrong then (it's a converted HP with the non-HP pressure sensor still on there, so I changed the scaling for it in software). Fortunately, it wasn't too far off, but it's a bit ridiculous that even a change to make the DME behave like stock might get you flagged. Hoping that I don't get flagged for having a software version that's newer than what originally came on my car.

It also shouldn't be crazy hard to modify the program to output "stock" CVN and CAL ID values. Although that sounds super illegal and like it'll get you into a ton of trouble if you get caught. Also sounds like that would require someone who enjoys development in assembly to implement the change (not me lol).

[oceansize]

Probably a dumb question, but Does this mean tunes like Hassan's could be flagged?

If the CAL ID and CVN do not align with their database it looks like it will fail according to the attached PDF.

Edit: And the way I interpret this is that the CAL ID is a software version (?) and the CVN is a essentially a checksum. So your software version "XXXX" will generate CVN "YYYYY".

Change engine parameters and the CVN will now differ (as it is calculated) from the what your stock CVN was based off your OE software version.

[ridebikes]

Probably a dumb question, but Does this mean tunes like Hassan's could be flagged?

[Samsonite79]

Hmm, sounds like as long as you're not messing with any emissions stuff in software (SAP delete, post cat O2 sensor delete, etc.), you should be fine.

I don't think you'd fail if you did some other software mod, like turning on sports mode memory or the shift lights. At least I hope so, it would suck to get flagged for something stupid like that.

Based on what I've been reading so far, if the CVN (checksum) numbers don't match your program# and calibration (tune)# for your model year, they'll flag it as "Illegal Software" Prior to this new smog implementation they just check the PID count and (eVIN if applied). Of course this is all new so who knows what else or what data they are mining from us for the past decade.

[heinzboehmer]

Hmm, sounds like as long as you're not messing with any emissions stuff in software (SAP delete, post cat O2 sensor delete, etc.), you should be fine.

I don't think you'd fail if you did some other software mod, like turning on sports mode memory or the shift lights. At least I hope so, it would suck to get flagged for something stupid like that.

[Samsonite79]

https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/BAG/20210...d_Software.pdf It's getting more serious guys... well at least it seems like we would get a chance if they don't deem your software as completely off the charts wrong from their expectations.

BTW, my smog is due, so I'm going to revert everything back to stock including my tune and calibration... just to avoid this hassle, don't want to get flagged. I don't recall if my tune included a ews delete, but I'll soon find out.

[old///MFanatic]

I don't know - I think you're just lucked out. We're in the same Irvine area and every places that I've been to in the last 12yrs+ had looked for the cats. Some even put mirrors under my passenger wheel to inspect it

This has also been my experience. EVERY shop I have been to has done an extensive visual inspection. So much so I bring the Bentley manual to show them where my cats are as they always act like I’ve removed them.
Smog testing shops don’t make a lot of money off the test, it’s from quantity. If they lose/suspend their license from passing an illegal car their business is done. And they have “spotters” that check stations are doing things legitimately.

If your car gets flagged, you’re in for even more hassles.

[Brand.one]

I have taken my M3 to Fast Smog in Costa Mesa and recommend this place to those looking for star-certified smog locations in California. I have passed with several different setups, the most similar to yours would be when my car had CPI headers, E400CAX section 1, and Scorza exhaust. No visual inspection was done underneath the car and there was a brief glance at the engine bay just to make sure nothing was out of the 'ordinary'. It is a small shop, but the perk is that it is located next to a Ferrari repair shop so you'll have some nice cars to look at while you wait. Plenty of nice restaurants around the beach as well if you want to justify the drive down to OC.

[siamkazi]

Subbed, need a smog guy for when my turn comes up