Passed CA Smog again w cat bypass pipes :-)

[ChrisZang]

Hi,

2nd time in a row I passed CA SMOG with bypass pipes w/o problems.
Not exactly stellar results, but I passed

So there's hope for all of you who are wondering about "test pipes"

[986_c6]

Hmmm...Hey Chris, how many more horses are we talking about gaining here? Does this by pass the first set of cats? Which brand do you recommend without breaking the bank?

Thanks.

[Johnny Danger]

I don't mean to be answering for Chris, but there are very few choices when it comes to aftermarket by-pass pipes . Fabspeed and Schnell are two that come to mind. As far as performance is concerned, deleting the secondary cats will improve exhaust flow and seemingly give a slight "bump" in engine responsiveness. Most importantly, however, it reduces a significant amount of weight from the vehicle.

[vitaminC]

These are definitely on my short list of mods, though to be safe I may just wait until right after my next smog test is due

[Johnny Danger]

Does Nancy Pelosi, Dianne Feinstein or Barbara Boxer stick their finger up your tailpipe or something ?

[healthservices]

I don't know what county you are in but in Orange county you need to pass the visual inspection too....

[walt2810]

Originally Posted by healthservices

I don't know what county you are in but in Orange county you need to pass the visual inspection too....

I'm in LA County & the only inspection the smog places do is look for the sticker in the rear trunk. What inspection are you refering to?

[onaFLYer]

I don't miss being in Cal anymore. All they do here in Reno is plug into OBD2 port and call it good. No visual, no tail pipe. Easy.

[986_c6]

NV is awesome!!! And their gas is a lot better too. Come to think of it, every state has better gas than CA

But it is also 63 degrees and sunny outside today while I look out the window...priceless!

[986_c6]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

I don't mean to be answering for Chris, but there are very few choices when it comes to aftermarket by-pass pipes . Fabspeed and Schnell are two that come to mind. As far as performance is concerned, deleting the secondary cats will improve exhaust flow and seemingly give a slight "bump" in engine responsiveness. Most importantly, however, it reduces a significant amount of weight from the vehicle.

Thanks for the info Johnny...Weight is so important in our little flat 6 cars that I actually notice a difference every time I swap my aftermarket 18 inchers and the oe 17's.

I guess we can always lose 20lbs of body fat and that would make a difference also.

I wonder if my B & B exhaust saved much weight compared to the oe muffler.

[healthservices]

Originally Posted by walt2810

I'm in LA County & the only inspection the smog places do is look for the sticker in the rear trunk. What inspection are you refering to?

The visual includes opening the engine cover to see if the air pump, related hoses are there, and there is a general inspection that all items are connected....


Like 4 o2 sensors, 4 cats, factory air intake or BAR approved replacement, etc.

Some inspection stations are lazy some are real strict about looking at what you got and will even charge you extra to get to the engine compartment.

[ChrisZang]

Originally Posted by healthservices

I don't know what county you are in but in Orange county you need to pass the visual inspection too....

The only way I could fail the visual inspection would be to take the car on a lift and have someone have a look who would know what should be there...

OK, I happened to choose an inspection station which has no lift and my car is so low that it barely made it onto the dyno. We didn't open the engine cover as i told the guy (who had no clue about Porsches) it would take ~30 minutes to get there....

I just wanted to post this thread as encouragement to all who consider this mod and are worried about not passing smog.
I believe CA has one of the strictest smog laws and I guess that inspired Frank Sinatra to his famous song: " Smog Check ":

.... if you can make it there, you make it anywhere,
it's up to you Smog check, Sm-o-o-g check"