California Will Start Testing for ECU Tunes During Smog Checks

[old///MFanatic]

Is the Dinan tune worth it at all? That seems like the only fully compliant option right? I assume it would be a mild tune at best

Well it’s very early to see how they will flag still. But if someone did get flagged (and not software savvy) where they were going to have to pay dealership for stock tune. Then I would say buying and installing the Dinan tune instead would be a much better opinion.

[terra]

Highly doubt the Dinan tune will pass if they enforce CVN verification

[old///MFanatic]

Highly doubt the Dinan tune will pass if they enforce CVN verification

True it probably wouldn’t meet that. But it should not have to since it carries a CA Air Resource Board (CARB) E.O. making it exempt/approved. Just like CARB Exempt intakes, superchargers, cats, do not get failed on the visual.
Unless they revoke their current CARB EO number that underwent testing and CA Approved then I don’t see why it would be failed?

[skristedja]

BAR rejected my public records request on the grounds of trade secret protection. That is such horseshit. I might fight this.

[Icecream]

BAR rejected my public records request on the grounds of trade secret protection. That is such horseshit. I might fight this.

You couldn't get data for records CARB is using to tell us what we can and can't do? That does sound like horseshit.

[Samsonite79]

BAR rejected my public records request on the grounds of trade secret protection. That is such horseshit. I might fight this.

that is complete horse shit, some of the records for smog shops who does clean plugging are on court dockets which shows what they're looking for prior to the July19th, the use this evidence to fine or close smog shops who fake their smog results but the fact that they're not releasing to the public is complete lack of transparency...

[Nate047]

My e36 with a Dinan tune is up for smog soon, I figure it should be fine because they pay a shot load of money to get CARB exemption... But I'm gonna leave a but of time incase I have to go back to stock and do a drive cycle.

Is a Dinan tune even worth it for the e46?

[Obioban]

My e36 with a Dinan tune is up for smog soon, I figure it should be fine because they pay a shot load of money to get CARB exemption... But I'm gonna leave a but of time incase I have to go back to stock and do a drive cycle.

Is a Dinan tune even worth it for the e46?

No-- it's worse than stock.

[ridebikes]

No-- it's worse than stock.

This surprises me but considering the source, I'm inclined to believe it. Is it possible to elaborate a little to save this law-fearing CA citizen from plunking down $199 on snake oil?

[Obioban]

This surprises me but considering the source, I'm inclined to believe it. Is it possible to elaborate a little to save this law-fearing CA citizen from plunking down $199 on snake oil?

The underlying issue is that the Dinan tune is from the era before people understood how the MSS54 works. They did their tune in ~2001, and it was on par with what was offered at the time (which was basically changing values in the dark). Since then, most companies have improved their offerings or just don't sell anything anymore. Dinan persists in selling their original tune, pretty much based on brand and CARB legality.

They're lost of the M3forum void now, but every dyno I've seen with the Dinan tune made less power than stock/same hardware.

[usdmej]

My e36 with a Dinan tune is up for smog soon, I figure it should be fine because they pay a shot load of money to get CARB exemption.

Is a Dinan tune even worth it for the e46?

starting with the E46 it seems like DINAN started having too difficult a time finding legal power. this compounded by more and more people being open to mods that were more "tuner" in nature and you can see why their reputation has declined over time

[Nate047]

Gotcha, and there are no other CARB legal tune options, right? Although it sounds like someone got passed with a Build Journal tune...???

[old///MFanatic]

Well for the record I have the AA tune not the Dinan. But I have personally witnessed three different Dinan S54 dyno runs. All those cars achieved gains, although modest. I can only vouch for these I’ve seen first hand.
I completely agree their tune is not an aggressive tune. It’s a street-sport tune. Having driven my neighbors before and after back in 2006 I recall mostly it had just a smoother feel.
There are certainly more aggressive better tunes out now. But if wondering if it’s better than the stock tune it is. You have to remember Dinan was the only BMWUSA dealer installed tune ever. Having to adhere to CARB limited it’s aggressiveness, but working with BMW proprietary tuning files logically they aren’t going to lose power. And then advertise gains.

[CAL M3]

Hi There - I had my smog check done the day it went into effect 07/19/21 - My car has the BuildJournal tune, aside from that its stock (headers, SAP, cats, etc) - I was able to pass smog without any issues. The Tune was recently added (within the last year) - A few things relevant from the smog report:

Smog Check Inspection Station Information - Software Version/OIS ID: 21.1.1227.0/CV003995

My thought here is that its possible that the station software wasn't yet update to the ECU check OR that its possible its just not checking older cars pre-2008.

Hope this info helps!

Thanks for this data point.

I have an evolve tune and sitting on whether I have to revert to stock.

I was going to try to squeeze in smog right before the cutoff date but the guy said don’t bother since the software was already updated on their station. This was on 7/16.

A week later I brought a different vehicle (my completely stock toyota) in for smog. From the smog report:

Smog Check Inspection Station Information - Software Version/OIS ID: 21.1.1227.0/CV015262

The software version matches yours.

So maybe you did pass on the updated software and with a tune on top? Maybe pre 2008 really aren’t checked?

Also weren’t our vehicles subject to a recall campaign where the DME had to be reprogrammed because of emissions and SES light coming on prematurely?

E46 M3 is listed in BAR guide under OIS list of vehicles of interest under table 4

https://www.bar.ca.gov/Industry/OBD_Test_Reference

Anybody else attempt smog recently?

[sev]

Sooooo I passed smog on the 16th with my throttle mapping modified. Obviously before the "deadline" but the smog software version/OIS ID was similar: 21.1.1227.0