External links now open in a new browser tab - turn this off in your UCP - Read more here.

Any TCD cars smog-legal in Kalifornia?

Discussion pertaining to positive pressure E28s.
Post Reply
LarryM
Posts: 1249
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Any TCD cars smog-legal in Kalifornia?

Post by LarryM »

I've got an '85 635CSiA and am getting a hankerin' for a turbo. The TCD Stage 1 looks like something I'd be very interested in. Are TCD cars passing smog inspections in KA or is this just another good reason to get outta here?
turbodan
Posts: 9246
Joined: Jan 09, 2007 10:19 PM

Post by turbodan »

I dont think the kits are CARB legal, but thats just a matter of paperwork. The actual tailpipe sniff test is no problem, if thats all you have to pass.

I heard that TCD got a turbo 635 to pass emissions in Massachusets without even having a catalytic convertor. Slick.
Jeremy
Beamter
Beamter
Posts: 15844
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Connecticut

Post by Jeremy »

With the size of the catalytic converter on that turbo exhaust, emissions aren't a problem, and a properly tuned m30 can post most emissions inspections even without one.

Dan's right, your real problem is the Kaleefornia Air Resource Board. If you don't have to deal with them, you're golden. Either that or convert a 524td to a gasser and put the turbo on that. Diesels are still emissions exempt there, right? ;)

Jeremy
Brad D.
Beamter
Beamter
Posts: 10735
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: San Antonio, TX
Contact:

Post by Brad D. »

Isn't there are visual inspection. I would think that if someone knew what they were looking at it probably would not pass. However, Im sure it could be tuned to pass the emissions test.
LarryM
Posts: 1249
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Post by LarryM »

Yes, we DO have visual inspections and that's the only part I'm concerned about. A lot of guys out here have late-model Vettes with plenty of performance equipment and yet a lot of them get through; I don't now how they do it but I would think having a good relationship with the right smog shop wouldn't hurt.
Duke
Posts: 9986
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Ormond Beach, FL

Post by Duke »

I would love to see TCD's equipment get CARB certified just to fuck with Dinan.

Here is a great thread that a friend sent to me - Click for lots of Dinan good will...NOT
misha
Posts: 683
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: San Diego, ca
Contact:

Post by misha »

it will never pass the visual part of the test unless you get lucky and have a complete moron check it. The only way of passing an aftermarket turbo system on our cars is use the dinan kit (good luck finding one) or have friends. Most people with heavy mods to their cars use connections to get them to pass. either look the other way or just plain do the test with all the info of your car but hook the machine up to another car entirely. WARNING : this is highly illegal. it happens all the time though.
George
Posts: 2889
Joined: Sep 12, 2007 11:23 PM
Location: Seattle, WA

Post by George »

This is why it helps to have 2 cars that look almost exactly alike. Swap plates for a day and no one will ever know the difference.
///ARINUTS...
Posts: 425
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM

Post by ///ARINUTS... »

thesixerkid wrote:This is why it helps to have 2 cars that look almost exactly alike. Swap plates for a day and no one will ever know the difference.
VIN?
LarryM
Posts: 1249
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Post by LarryM »

///ARINUTS... wrote:
thesixerkid wrote:This is why it helps to have 2 cars that look almost exactly alike. Swap plates for a day and no one will ever know the difference.
VIN?
Nice try, but it won't work. I've watched the smog tech checking my VIN tag in the past.
///ARINUTS...
Posts: 425
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM

Post by ///ARINUTS... »

LarryM wrote:
///ARINUTS... wrote:
thesixerkid wrote:This is why it helps to have 2 cars that look almost exactly alike. Swap plates for a day and no one will ever know the difference.
VIN?
Nice try, but it won't work. I've watched the smog tech checking my VIN tag in the past.
Thats what I figured ;)
George
Posts: 2889
Joined: Sep 12, 2007 11:23 PM
Location: Seattle, WA

Post by George »

LarryM wrote:
///ARINUTS... wrote:
thesixerkid wrote:This is why it helps to have 2 cars that look almost exactly alike. Swap plates for a day and no one will ever know the difference.
VIN?
Nice try, but it won't work. I've watched the smog tech checking my VIN tag in the past.
I've been doing it for 5 years. It does work.
bimmerboy
Posts: 390
Joined: Oct 18, 2006 7:06 PM
Location: United States

Post by bimmerboy »

LOL

And hey its not that hard to swap a VIN either....
turbodan
Posts: 9246
Joined: Jan 09, 2007 10:19 PM

Post by turbodan »

bimmerboy wrote:LOL

And hey its not that hard to swap a VIN either....
That sticker on the B pillar and the stampings on the chassis are pretty hard to swap if you ask me.
Jeremy
Beamter
Beamter
Posts: 15844
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Connecticut

Post by Jeremy »

turbodan wrote:
bimmerboy wrote:LOL

And hey its not that hard to swap a VIN either....
That sticker on the B pillar and the stampings on the chassis are pretty hard to swap if you ask me.
If they looked past the VIN plate on the dash, I'd be amazed.

Jeremy
Corner Carver
Posts: 1166
Joined: Jun 02, 2006 12:44 AM
Location: $6,000,000 Man's Hometown

Post by Corner Carver »

Jeremy wrote: Either that or convert a 524td to a gasser and put the turbo on that. Diesels are still emissions exempt there, right? ;)
Jeremy
Yes, diesel's are still SMOG exempt.

You can get anything CARB certified, but you must pay and pay and pay and keep paying until you get it right. There are two CARB certification laboratories in CA. One is in Napa, the other is in Santa Ana. I have been preparing my 745 for this. It did not matter that I already had a 745 that was CARB legal from which all of the smog equipment came. The car itself needed to be certified. I have had it sniffed three times and it has had passing levels everytime.

The cert test is three days long and has a price tag of $1600, (that is test only). If it doesn't pass, you must figure out why (more $). Every time you retest it is a fresh pile of 16 Benjamins. This also does not include the cost of emission equipment or the installation of said equipment. As I understand it can be in the neighborhood of $10k when all is said and done. All fine and dandy if you are importing a newer euro spec car. $130k to purchase the car, another $5k to import it; whats another $10k for Carb certification? Not exactly dollar smart for 20 something year old bimmers.

I plan on only doing the test once.(I wonder how many have said that before?) :roll:

My advice? If you live in CA avoid any car that is not already CARB certified.
California Dreamin'
Posts: 691
Joined: Jul 12, 2007 12:28 AM
Location: Californee

Post by California Dreamin' »

Corner Carver wrote:
Jeremy wrote: Either that or convert a 524td to a gasser and put the turbo on that. Diesels are still emissions exempt there, right? ;)
Jeremy
Yes, diesel's are still SMOG exempt.


My advice? If you live in CA avoid any car that is not already CARB certified.
Good advice - start with something that already has a BAR sticker. Even though it means passing by some nice cars.

As for the diesel 'conversion:' Well, it's illegal, right? More to the point, didn't diesels come with different brake boosters that need changing? Fuel system (including tank?) needs changing. I also recall hearing other reasons whey the diesel is not a good hot rod platform. I think it was suspension related.

So it just doesn't seem like a great option. But what do I know? A while back I nearly bought that primer black 524td that had a chevy 350 V8 dropped into it. :alright:
Jeremy
Beamter
Beamter
Posts: 15844
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Connecticut

Post by Jeremy »

California Dreamin' wrote:As for the diesel 'conversion:' Well, it's illegal, right?
So's speeding. It's only illegal if you get caught. 8)
California Dreamin' wrote:More to the point, didn't diesels come with different brake boosters that need changing? Fuel system (including tank?) needs changing. I also recall hearing other reasons whey the diesel is not a good hot rod platform. I think it was suspension related.

So it just doesn't seem like a great option. But what do I know? A while back I nearly bought that primer black 524td that had a chevy 350 V8 dropped into it. :alright:
There's a multitude of "issues" that can be overlooked/forgiven by the benefit of not even having to even THINK about the smog nazis looking over your shoulder. Besides, weren't you going to replace that suspension with sport springs anyway? Gas tanks rot out, so that's not neccessarily a bad thing to buy new. The brake system can be transplanted wholesale from a donor car.

How bad do you want it and what're you willing to do to get it?

Jeremy
roeboat
Posts: 4
Joined: Apr 30, 2006 12:49 PM
Location: California

Post by roeboat »

Corner Carver wrote:
Jeremy wrote: Either that or convert a 524td to a gasser and put the turbo on that. Diesels are still emissions exempt there, right? ;)
Jeremy

You can get anything CARB certified, but you must pay and pay and pay and keep paying until you get it right. There are two CARB certification laboratories in CA. One is in Napa, the other is in Santa Ana. I have been preparing my 745 for this. It did not matter that I already had a 745 that was CARB legal from which all of the smog equipment came. The car itself needed to be certified. I have had it sniffed three times and it has had passing levels everytime.



My advice? If you live in CA avoid any car that is not already CARB certified.

Canyon Carver, does the 745 already have a CA BAR sticker? I would assume if it did, this would be less of a hassle than going through CARB, since that sticker should already make the 745 CA legal. If so, I would expect you should only have to follow BAR procedures for an 'engine change'. That's at least my understanding.
Corner Carver
Posts: 1166
Joined: Jun 02, 2006 12:44 AM
Location: $6,000,000 Man's Hometown

Post by Corner Carver »

roeboat wrote:
Corner Carver wrote:
Jeremy wrote: Either that or convert a 524td to a gasser and put the turbo on that. Diesels are still emissions exempt there, right? ;)
Jeremy

You can get anything CARB certified, but you must pay and pay and pay and keep paying until you get it right. There are two CARB certification laboratories in CA. One is in Napa, the other is in Santa Ana. I have been preparing my 745 for this. It did not matter that I already had a 745 that was CARB legal from which all of the smog equipment came. The car itself needed to be certified. I have had it sniffed three times and it has had passing levels everytime.



My advice? If you live in CA avoid any car that is not already CARB certified.

Canyon Carver, does the 745 already have a CA BAR sticker? I would assume if it did, this would be less of a hassle than going through CARB, since that sticker should already make the 745 CA legal. If so, I would expect you should only have to follow BAR procedures for an 'engine change'. That's at least my understanding.
My '85 745 was federalized in Georgia. It has never had a CARB cert, hence my need to have it certified. The other 745 that I have has the precious CARB sticker. However it is a cancerous rust bucket after having spent its life being parked under Coast Live Oak and Eucalyptus trees.
Post Reply