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Keeping it Legal in CA.

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Old 08-11-2006, 10:42 AM
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Default Keeping it Legal in CA.

I've got a couple questions regarding the laws of CA smog (visual and sniffer). I want to make about 400whp yet maintain completely legal modifications. The car is currently stock, as I have not yet picked this one up.

I'm mostly concerned about exhaust upgrades. This is the area where CA seems to care the most.

If I could get some help regarding CA legal modifications to reach my goal, I would appreciate it very much.

-Kyle
Old 08-11-2006, 10:54 AM
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We just released our smog legal cam package. What part of Califonia are you in?

Please give Jason a call for what the package includes.

Chad
Old 08-11-2006, 11:20 AM
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I live in the Sacramento Region. Thanks for the information.
Old 08-11-2006, 02:08 PM
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i'd pick up an STS kit and call it a day. 400rwhp will be no problem and its got a CARB number. staying N/A you'll spend about the same if not more to make the same power.
Old 08-11-2006, 02:10 PM
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Procharger P1SC is CARB legal (that's what I have) and is a good option, so is the STS as mentioned above.

You could also add a little nitrous, which is easily removed at smog time.

Rob (Bad30th)
Old 08-11-2006, 02:40 PM
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I read about the STS kit. Thanks a bunch. I'll be sure to keep you guys posted on that situation. I would very much like to know what I should do about exhaust how-ever. are shorties really my only option as far as headers?
Old 08-11-2006, 03:44 PM
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shorties are the only 'legal' option. the fi kits are very nice. a tr224 114 will get you close with supporting bolt-on's. thats a california legal cam. the exhaust cannot relocate cats, so a nice cat-back will do. i also live in california. it sucks. no fun.
Old 08-11-2006, 09:29 PM
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When I checked with STS their turbo kits didnt get carb approved. They told me only their GTO was carb legal. Is that true?
Old 08-11-2006, 09:47 PM
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you can go with multiple aftermarket cams and heads and pass smog while still making +400rwhp ...and it will cost you about $2000 less than going with the STS

the visual is whats ***** you... shorties are the only way to pass while keeping the cats in the stock locations (although most shops are pretty leanent with that)
Old 08-11-2006, 10:14 PM
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No modifications are legal in California unless you can show a CARB number for it. Very few aftermarket F-body parts have CARB numbers. If you want 400rwhp while being 100% legal, this will be VERY difficult. The Procharger may be your only option. However, if you are willing to "bend" the rules, 400rwhp is extremely easy to attain, even without a supercharger, and you will still be able to pass smog anywhere.
Old 08-11-2006, 10:29 PM
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Can you not just take the stuff off at inspection time...would be some work but if your tight on money it seems it would be cheaper that way
Old 08-12-2006, 01:02 AM
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im gonna have the same problem

Im also looking into the STS, sucks that its gonna run 4-5000 with a tune
Old 08-12-2006, 10:32 AM
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STS is NOT CARB legal on F-bod's.. only the 04 GTO got the CARB certification... even though when you call... they will still try and push it on you and say " oh well uh... its not carb legal... but it will be pretty soon".. then they dont give you a date when..

what ever you do DO NOT BUY AN STS TUNE FROM THEM!!!! its way on the lean side, and its not very good at all..trust me
Old 08-12-2006, 01:05 PM
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Check into Magnaflo shorty headers. they are a nice piece of work, going on my car.

I am going with the lingenfelter gt2-3 cam very smooth (like stock)

Maby a set of edelbrock's new heads.

warren
Old 08-12-2006, 02:27 PM
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Who ever said that "no modifications are legal in CA." is right to an extent. We're all screwed out here. You need a CARB number for literally everything now. I personally don't think that you or any of us can hit that RWHP number "legally" in CA. unless your squeez'n or go'n the super-forced induction route(supercharger or turbo).

If you just want to be quick as ****,..... look into gears, shift-kits, suspention and handeling upgrades, tires, ECU reprograming and less weight. You know where im go'n with this. Too bad you got rid of the 2000 Z28 with the A4 cuz I would have said a TC if you wanted a rocket on a take-off!

Good luck though.
Old 08-13-2006, 03:32 AM
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I would love to get this car to hook properly to. Bassically I want a fun car to drive, but still drive it everyday, 400whp now that I think about it is prolly to much.

350-360 seems a little more realistic.

I sold the A4 because the car seemed like a lemon to me. I would fix one problem and 3 more would develop. Before I sold it, I had everything fixed. 3 days before it was officially sold it sprung a new oil leak.

Besides, manuals are a HUGE comfort thing with me.
Old 08-13-2006, 03:36 AM
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^your sig is going to get deleted... you need to resize it

anyways like i said earlier you can easily accomplish +400rwhp with H/C swap that will still pass smog. probably the cheapest way to accomplish that mark
Old 08-13-2006, 10:41 AM
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The problem is heads and cam are not CA legal, unless they carry a CARB number. I personally haven't seen any heads or cams that have a CARB number, I'm curious if there are any. The thing is... when the smog people inpect your car, they won't be able to see inside your engine to tell if you have a cam. Also, most ported heads look stock. The only clue would be the lope of the cam, but that could just be due to a "poor idle" or the exhaust or something, whatever you want to tell them. So again, this begs the question, how legal do you really want to be?
Old 08-13-2006, 12:58 PM
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You'd be FINE with heads and a cam. They won't be able to tell the difference. Just get a cam w/ a small lope. Or you can take your car back to stock every two years. OR you can always pay an inspector a little $ to pass you




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