Euro headers and smog

[Karl Grau]

I failed smog on Saturday for two reasons. One, my car is emitting double the allowable emissions and two, it has “aftermarket headers”. It passed at the same place two years ago without the headers being an issue. I explained that the headers are BMW and all M5s and M6s came from the factory that way . He said he would need proof so I took him copies of the pics below which he accepted.
I forgot to ask why he was fine with them for the two previous tests.
I'm just curious, has anyone else with Euro headers had any problems at smog time?

[Rich Euro M5]

I doubt the headers have anything to do with you failing. You need to post the results of your failed SMOG test.

[m535is]

I have had problems passing NJ smog with an M88 with headers. This was a pain and I would spend time finding a shop that would let me put the car on the machine and then tune it to pass, then retune it back to where it needed to be after it passed. What a massive pain.

[Philo]

Karl.., most of the guys I've gone to over the years would open the hood and have no idea what they were looking at. I'm really surprised this guy flagged the headers. Do they look really shinny and new or something ?

But when I removed the Motronic ECU and went full programmable I had to find the **Right** shop. One that understood performance mods and as long as the car runs clean we are good.

The last time I got a smog test I failed due to a bad cat. Once that was updated I was all good. And this was with a really aggressive tune. Both at idle and 30mph..

Bottom line, find another shop and hope that this last guy didn't put notes in the state system on your headers. If they can even do that, not sure.

[Karl Grau]

Rich,

Maybe you misread my post. In California there are three parts to the test, a 'Visual test', a "Functional check' and a 'Emissions test'. I failed the emissions and Comprehensive visual test.




If the CARB sticker is not present, then your vehicle will fail under the visual potion of the smog test. The following are just a few examples that are considered aftermarket performance parts and will require a CARB EO sticker to pass the CA smog test:
• Air Filter (cone shaped)
• Performance Air Intake
• Exhaust Headers
• Throttle-Body Spacer
• Hi-Flow Fuel Injectors
• Fuel Pressure Regulator
• Intake Manifold/Carbuerator
• Performance Intake Manifold
• Catalytic Converter(s)
• Performance Ignition Coils

[Philo]

All of these were present on my car, except for the manifold spacer, and again the tech I go to now doesn't care.

Find another shop. Go on S14.net and ask around for a shop in SD area. Or maybe go ask Carl N. and see who he recommends. He's an M savvy guy, is he not ?

[Karl Grau]

Karl.., most of the guys I've gone to over the years would open the hood and have no idea what they were looking at. I'm really surprised this guy flagged the headers. Do they look really shinny and new or something ?

Most of the guys I've gone to over the years don't have a clue either. Two years ago the car was smogged at the same place when the headers had been on the car for two days so they were shiny and new and passed the visual. Maybe these guys got busted or had undercover C.A.R.B. guys at their shop and now they're jumpy.

Bottom line, find another shop and hope that this last guy didn't put notes in the state system on your headers. If they can even do that, not sure.

I explained that the headers are BMW and all M5s and M6s came from the factory that way . He said he would need proof so I took him copies of the pics below which he accepted.

I'm not sure if switching is the best thing to do at this point. I have new Cats and an o2 sensor on the way so I don't forsee any issues with the retest. I definitly won't be taking the Euro e30 there anymore and probably not the M5 after this retest.

Rich,

This is what I was trying to explain in my other post.

[winfred]

i've always loved that crap where you could pass on emissions levels but fail for any other reason

[Nicke28]

I shouldn't have any problems, but then again I know guys that do inspections.

[Retro Rust]

Move to the sticks gentlemen. Outside of metro Atlanta, there are no tests in Georgia, go ahead and run an open exhaust whydontcha?

[Nicke28]

In some states moving out to the sticks makes little to no difference when it comes to emission testing.

[Karl Grau]

Move to the sticks gentlemen. Outside of metro Atlanta, there are no tests in Georgia, go ahead and run an open exhaust whydontcha?

I'm too cosmopolitan for Hooterville so I guess I'll just have to deal with emissions testing.

[wkohler]

Wow. I'm impressed with your special version of RealOEM.



All I see is this:

[Karl Grau]

Premium Edition...

[Karl Grau]

I had high hopes of going in for a retest on Saturday. Too bad they sent me a Cat section for a e34 M5.

[Devinder]

KG,

I keep a cat section on the shelf for use every two years. I can send it down if you need it.

Devinder

[Karl Grau]

Thanks for the offer Devinder but D.E.C. says they're overnighting me the correct converter. We'll see.

[1st 5er]

Good luck.

Next year we'll be 25 here, so no mo' emissions, testing that is.

[Karl Grau]

Well the other converter was on the porch when I got home. Unfortunately it's identical to the one they already sent. I now have two e34 M5 cats sitting on my living room floor.

[wkohler]

Sounds like you need an E34 M5.

[AT8M5]

Order an e34 M5 cat, maybe they'll send you an e28 one? Sorry to hear of your troubles Chas.

Karl

[Karl Grau]

Order an e34 M5 cat, maybe they'll send you an e28 one

That's so crazy, it just might work

[1st 5er]

How much?

[Karl Grau]

I'm up to three e34 M5 converters now. I'm averaging a new one every 48 hours.

[WilNJ]

I'm up to three e34 M5 converters now. I'm averaging a new one every 48 hours.

I'm assuming you're just sending that picture to them with no commentary?

[Karl Grau]

I'm assuming you're just sending that picture to them with no commentary?

This is what I just sent:

Hi Dereck,

FedEx just delivered another wrong converter. When I spoke with Larry yesterday he assured me that he would personally make sure the next one sent would match the picture in your catalog, apparently this didn't happen. I currently have a D.E.C. converter on my 1988 BMW M5 and I've attached a picture of it. PLEASE don't not send me any more converters unless they look like my attached picture.

Regards,

Charles Gray

[Karl Grau]

I took it to my local guy here in Ocean Beach that used to do my 533 back in the day. No mention of headers so SUCK IT Kearny Mesa Smog! He was looking in the Mitchell book and started mumbling something about Check Engine Light and I just told him the book was wrong.

[wkohler]

I don't get it. How did you get it through? Devinder's cat?

I'm glad Dung didn't give you any shit.

[Kyle in NO]

Man, both of those DEC cats look horribly restrictive. I assume you run a delete pipe between tests?

[Karl Grau]

I assume you run a delete pipe between tests?

Out here we call 'em Track Pipes and we only use 'em at the track. I want to have an o2 sensor bung welded into the 'H' pipe before I go back to the track.