terrydennis

Digital Disaster mentioned in this thread http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-z...iled-smog.html post #33 that he had success passing smog using denatured alcohol.

I too am having problems with nox on my CA 1991 ZR-1. I have run two tank fulls of gas with octane boost and replaced my spark plugs. nox was still too high. I am having it checked for exhaust leaks upstream of the high flow cats. The smog tech thinks my cats may just be too small now that the state has lowered the allowable nox amount. I also have long tube headers so I really don't think I should go to a referee station.

I too may replace my O2 sensors but they only have around 4,000 miles on them. Haibec installed them when he installed the headers.

I have been reading up on denatured alcohol. What I get so far is to run the fuel down to 1/4 tank or less, add a quart of alcohol and immediately drive to smog test. It should pass clean. Upon completing the test immediately fill tank with gas to dilute alcohol.

Some concerns are the engine getting too hot and that the alcohol may destroy plastic or rubber.

Does anyone have any facts about this whole procedure and the pros and cons?

It's really horrible that the state can just change the rules in the middle of the game on a 21 year old car.

Sorry so long.

Thanks!

FU

What chip are you running when the car is being tested Terry ? How far out of line are your numbers ?

terrydennis

Marc Haibec did the WOT calibration with a laptop I believe, so it's not really a stock calibration but not just an aftermarket chip either. I do not have a stock chip any more.

15 MPH HC Max= 78 Measured= 67 CO Max= 0.72 Measured= 0.07
NOx Max= 545 Measured= 699

25 MPH HC Max= 61 Measured= 23 CO Max= 0.60 Measured= 0.05
NOx Max= 502 Measured= 572

terrydennis

no exhaust leaks were detected.

Coupe89

Mine was high at NOx. Then realized I didn't have the stock MEMCAL for the transfer of title.
I had JR burn me a chip.

I would try to get a stock chip to get it tested.
You many need just the chip itself instead of the MEMCAL chip

cv67

Supposedly those sniffers can tell if the charge is diluted not sure Id waste time with the alochol. Seen many guys in C4 gen do it and still fail.

FU

Marc worked on your car and installed header's and high flow cat's chip . Did he do anything else ? What year is the car ?

Stock chip with 1-4 skip shift works well for starters.

terrydennis

It is a 1991 car with a 1992 LT-5 that has had Marc's $10k 500HP package.
The 510 HP 350

- Full porting, sized for a 350 cubic inch engine.

- Long tube headers

- Fidanza aluminum flywheel

- Stock camshafts, smooth idle.

Custom tune

It has random technology high flow cats.

FU

Have you tried calling Marc ? He will probably suggest a using a stock chip. One thing to also consider is the RT cat's don't last long.
A ported 350 with stock cam's should pass with no problem.

mike100

You need to go back to a stock-ish tune. at least stock to about 2500 rpm which is the range the test is run at. It would be a LOT easier if you put back the factory manifolds- it is still not that hard to pass with healthy catalysts.

Kris_K

I've used denaturred alcohol just as you described and my Z passed cleaner than a Prius.

I have SW Headers w/EGR and bullet cats and at the time I only had a Performance Chip.

I failed pretty badly before trying the alcohol.

Good Luck.

terrydennis

Just got of the phone with Marc. He is programming me an adapter to use during emissions testing.

Thanks for all the replies!

MRDZR1

CA rules are just plain stupid! And you know what I might go through the same BS here in Quebec in 2014. They want to follow CA rules because we have a bunch of stupid politician that have no brains and decide for a population of 8 millions people that mainly drive's Honda's and Toyota's !!! HELP ME!!!!

lol!

Z51JEFF

I cant agree with you more on the above statement,I know of about 7 cars here in the state that have had issues passing the test.Dont know how you are getting by with the headers.My car with 18,000 miles bone stock failed twice before I had to take it to a referee.After replacing the 02 sensors it passed.When I first had problems I heard about alcohol,acetone you name it.What I did do was use 5 gallons of E85 and 5 gallons of 93 octane.

DRM500RUBYZR-1

As bad as most else is in the left leaning state of New Jersey, although it is improving under Chris "get the hell off the beach" Christie, I must say it has become VERY collector car friendly.
You have two choices.
First is Historic Vehicle, which must be 25 years or older. Usage limitations apply, no late night or commuter use, but in exchange there is NO Inspection at all, including Emissions!
Second choice is Collector Vehicle Status. This requires the car to be "collectable" or in limited production. You must carry Collectors Insurance. You cannot log more than 3,000 miles per year, and they actaully record and check that as well as that the odometer works, once every two years when you show up for that mileage check only.
In exchange, there is no inspection, and yes that includes no emission check. Unlike historic, you can use the car anytime, just no more thna the 3,000 miles per year.
We have had very active AACA and other organizational support for many years, and some of the higher ups at DMV simply understood the car hobby, and realized it's minimal impact on the environment. While we might pollute a tad, the cars are not added to scrap, and are usually very well maintained.
I still cannot believe how freindly the State is to the car collector.
They do not even tax us excessively via fees on these cars, as most are quite reasonable.
This is also the state where the State Police somehow escorted a group of high end performance cars down the Garden State Parkway at speeds purportedly well over 100 mph in March.(google NJ death race 2012)
Now some heads will likely roll over letting a bunch of rich guys, and an NFL player tape over their plates and fly to Atlantic City with a SP escort.
The public is a bit annoyed over that one, but back to collector cars, the State is darn friendly.
Just make sure the front plate is on the Vette, as they tend to enforce that even on collector cars, but I am not complaining.
This could lead to a high concentration of collector cars here in Nj as the years roll by.
Sorry to hear that other states just act silly over such a small number of cars.

Marty
1FUNZR1(NJ)
NCRSZR1(NJ)

cv67

Ca recently tightened up the sniffer requirements so many of these cars that always passed (My former one included with room to spare) are now failing. Its BS!!!!
Not everyone wants to drive a brand new car or can afford one these days.

Currently looking for smog equiptment for the 67 they are cracking down on these, too. No testing yet but the cops and CHP can pull you over pop your hood and check. If it isnt in place they impound it on the spot. You wont want it back when the yard gets done raping all theparts off it I lived that one many yrs ago.

Probably be the first 600hp musclecar with a smog pump on it. LOL

FU

So much for "Land of the free"

atc104

I have been reading up on denatured alcohol. What I get so far is to run the fuel down to 1/4 tank or less, add a quart of alcohol and immediately drive to smog test. It should pass clean. Upon completing the test immediately fill tank with gas to dilute alcohol.

Some concerns are the engine getting too hot and that the alcohol may destroy plastic or rubber.




Hi
So what happened?

Did you try 10:1 ratio?
Did it pass?
If you tried it, did it affect performance of your car?

Thank you

Mike

terrydennis

Old thread.
I did not use the alcohol. I installed the program provided by Haibec (He includes instructions) It retard timing across the board. The car passed that year.

The next smog year I was not so lucky. The random technology Hi-flow cats were no longer doing their job. I had new cats installed and it passed again.

I am now looking at smog this month. I will be reinstalling the program and hoping for the best.

atc104

Thank you

Got it

, but did you learn something more about using E85 mixture?
, which would address my previous questions?

Thank again
Mike