Just thinking worst case scenario when I go to get my car smogged at some point here. With the headers (no CARB EO), non stock cat location (visual fail), CAI (no CARB EO), and tune it might get interesting. The headers are actually weathered enough and the cats hard enough to see that unless the guy goes looking or knows what to look for I might be able to just skate by on the visual with those, I have on more noticeable parts before. Worst case I need some stock exhaust manifolds and a mid pipe. Not too bad but a pain to change. CAI is easy, get a stock one and swap for the day so no biggee.

I was figuring I might be able to sneak by just changing the obviously non stock CAI since with cats and tune I have no doubt it will pass at the pipe. Then someone mentioned that they attach an OBD II scanner to the OBD II port inside the car. Uh oh. The aftermarket tune disables CAGS, which is a smog component, and also the second set of O2 sensors for the headers. The disabled second O2 sensors would be I think the big deal that would stick out like a sore thumb on any smog scan.

So the question is, I keep hearing about O2 emulators, little boxes, that plug in to where the sensors where that feed the stock signal back so the computer doesn't have fits. I have actually seen pictures in some C5 books of them so I know they exist. Since these are obviously illegal I have never seen any for sale or have any idea how to get my hands on them or what they would cost, does anyone?

Also if you put them in and re enabled the secondary O2 sensors in the tune, I have LS1 Edit, does it work ok? I would rather put some emulators in there and turn them back on and the CAGS and put a emulator/plug thing in there and try to get that to pass before returning it all to stock. Thoughts on this or where I might get more information on the emulators or where to get them would be great. Thanks guys.

 

The O2 simulators were outlawed by the Feds about a year ago. You'll have to look on some auction sites to find them. I don't know about Kalifornia, but here in NJ it's legal to shut off the rear sensors and just run the fronts, but the car must be retuned properly.

 

First, CAGS has NOTHING to do with smog control, it was put on the car to assist in beating the "fuel mileage" test, thereby avoiding a "gas guzzler" tax when the car was first sold. California (and the feds) have no laws regarding CAGS defeat.

Second, yes, a CA smog test is performed on an OBD2 car by hooking up the test computer to your OBD2 port. You will fail with no rear O2 sensors. You cannot purchase O2 "sims" anymore, they have all been taken off the market .... see ...

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2007/July/07_enrd_490.html

The CA smog test is basically set up to look for a vehicle that has all "stock" parts and "tune". From your description of the car, while you MIGHT pass the visual (most smog stations probably won't care about the CAI, but the LTs will probably be an issue, and they might not notice the cats) you will fail the OBD2 check.

You will need the advice from a "tuner" as to how to set up your car to pass smog ... just remember that under CA law, it is illegal to modify ANY part of the engine intake, engine, engine control, or exhaust system with parts other than original equipment unless the parts have a CARB "sticker" issued for them.

Good luck,