JOE
State referee certification
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
Back to the OP, Dieseldave56 is correct in stating that the referee will not grant an exemption for non-CARB certified components installed on the vehicle that remains registered for street use. The previous owner had to provide an emissions test that indicated passing current vehicle requirements for both visual equipment and exhaust emissions in order for the OP to re-register in his name. Attacking the emissions test station and the previous owner may prove an uphill battle as both can indicate the car was OK prior to the OPs ownership. Besides, I find it chilling that anyone here would advise the OP to consider finger pointing after the fact as the OP was no doubt a bit pleased to have the modifications...all too convenient. The CARB would appreciate nothing more than justification to encourage more CHP underhood checks to start a feeding frenzy against "friendly" testing facilities.
The CHP heavy hand now implicates the current owner as the one who made the modifications thus he is responsible for correcting the problem. The OP may do well to locate a local Corvette shop that will probably have OEM components in storage and work out a swap (temporary or permanent). Yes, it will cost money for labor but that will satisfy the referee and cease additional demands. What the OP does from that point is only limited by his willingness to risk getting caught and going through this all over again. Perhaps if he tames down the after-cat exhaust (OP indicated "loud" vette) he might not draw the attention of the CHP.
Kinda funny how the CHP has not had too much concern enforcing emissions equipment violations until the warm and sunny State once again falls into dire financial conditions. The largest portion of the CHP budget comes from vehicle registration fees and vehicle citations. It is only going to get worse as the Feds add strength to States to enforce forthcoming air quality regulations related to the myth of "global warming" and it's attendent fears. Yeah, it just never ends...
A1
As far as the CHP, my father being a retired officer in the SF Bay area for 25 years, being heavy handed , this I seriously doubt. Other than an individual officer's personal agenda or idiosyncrasy, the history of the CHP has proven their position with fairness in regards to the law and have not been subject to changing political pressures. CHP funding is NOT based on DMV fees or revenue generated by citiations but thru the state's general fund that is voted on by the assy each year.
I do agree that the present owner had to have drawn attention to himself and thus the vehicle inspection.
Last edited by dieseldave56; Dec 23, 2008 at 06:18 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Remember the average response time to a 911 call is over 6 minutes. The average response time of a .357 magnum is 1400 fps.
..............Kinda funny how the CHP has not had too much concern enforcing emissions equipment violations until the warm and sunny State once again falls into dire financial conditions. The largest portion of the CHP budget comes from vehicle registration fees and vehicle citations. It is only going to get worse as the Feds add strength to States to enforce forthcoming air quality regulations related to the myth of "global warming" and it's attendent fears. Yeah, it just never ends...
A1
A1
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 287
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area California
Perhaps I assume ( which we know is the '****** of all f*#kups') that the present owner has receipts for the aftermarket parts or written maintenance history. This has always been a must for any vehicle ( over 300) I've purchased over the past 42 years. Documentation is everything and CARB has files on every time a vehicle is emission tested which is why I refer to civil action or CARB referee to litigate or help resolve ( temperary exemption) the present owners delema. I have had success in both areas.
As far as the CHP, my father being a retired officer in the SF Bay area for 25 years, being heavy handed , this I seriously doubt. Other than an individual officer's personal agenda or idiosyncrasy, the history of the CHP has proven their position with fairness in regards to the law and have not been subject to changing political pressures. CHP funding is NOT based on DMV fees or revenue generated by citiations but thru the state's general fund that is voted on by the assy each year.
I do agree that the present owner had to have drawn attention to himself and thus the vehicle inspection.
As far as the CHP, my father being a retired officer in the SF Bay area for 25 years, being heavy handed , this I seriously doubt. Other than an individual officer's personal agenda or idiosyncrasy, the history of the CHP has proven their position with fairness in regards to the law and have not been subject to changing political pressures. CHP funding is NOT based on DMV fees or revenue generated by citiations but thru the state's general fund that is voted on by the assy each year.
I do agree that the present owner had to have drawn attention to himself and thus the vehicle inspection.
To your second comment and with all due respect to your father and other CHP officers, the comment used was "heavy hand" not "heavy handed"; two entirely different meanings. CHP involvement in any violation cannot be taken lightly which was the intent of my comment. Further, NO the funding for the CHP is not derived from any State General Fund support. CHP budgets for many years have been funded almost entirely by DMV motor vehicle registration fees/license fees (MVA) and State Highway Account (gasoline tax) revenue.
Taken from the LAO analysis: http://www.lao.ca.gov/analysis_2008/..._anl08007.aspx
"Most of CHP’s budget is funded from the Motor Vehicle Account (MVA), which derives its revenues primarily from vehicle registration and driver license fees. For 2008–09, MVA funds would comprise nearly 90 percent of CHP’s support costs."
And, taken from 2008 budget site: http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/pdf/Govern.../2000/2720.pdf
FUNDING 2006-07* 2007-08* 2008-09*
0042 State Highway Account, State Transportation Fund $53,713 $59,680 $60,254
0044 Motor Vehicle Account, State Transportation Fund 1,442,322 1,687,690 1,731,399
0293 Motor Carriers Safety Improvement Fund 1,489 2,430 2,489
0840 California Motorcyclist Safety Fund 1,426 1,450 1,454
0890 Federal Trust Fund 14,102 16,024 17,546
0942 Special Deposit Fund 634 2,261 2,314
0974 California Peace Officer Memorial Foundation Fund 171 400 400
0995 Reimbursements 90,174 110,102 113,274
TOTALS, EXPENDITURES, ALL FUNDS $1,604,031 $1,880,037 $1,929,1300042 State Highway Account, State Transportation Fund $53,713 $59,680 $60,254
0044 Motor Vehicle Account, State Transportation Fund 1,442,322 1,687,690 1,731,399
0293 Motor Carriers Safety Improvement Fund 1,489 2,430 2,489
0840 California Motorcyclist Safety Fund 1,426 1,450 1,454
0890 Federal Trust Fund 14,102 16,024 17,546
0942 Special Deposit Fund 634 2,261 2,314
0974 California Peace Officer Memorial Foundation Fund 171 400 400
0995 Reimbursements 90,174 110,102 113,274
For El Zappo, I stand corrected with this exception. All County citations (CHP issued) for motor vehicle violations resulting in court fines necessitate collection of mandated "State Penalty Assessment Funds" and "State Surcharge" fees which are directly sent to the State for re-distribution. Although these funding sources may not directly go towards an annual budget, they do fund ancillary functions specifically the POST program potentially offsetting considerable officer training budget costs for the CHP. Again, best of luck to the OP however he proceeds...
A1
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 297
Likes: 26
From: San Jose California
common sense
I know of several heavily modified Corvettes that have no problem getting a smog certificate. One of my friends (a chemical engineer) has a completely homemade advanced fuel injection system on his '02. His trick is to not advertise that his car is modded (His car has a moderate exhaust) and he did a professional job with the plumbing. As long as the exhaust and the computer meet spec, you shouldn't have a problem.
Common sense says that you should clean up any obvious mods, and if your exhaust sounds very loud, you should replace it with something closer to stock. It may have been the loud exhaust that won you the smog evaluation in the first place.
Common sense says that you should clean up any obvious mods, and if your exhaust sounds very loud, you should replace it with something closer to stock. It may have been the loud exhaust that won you the smog evaluation in the first place.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Here was my experience with a SMOG Referee.
Note- this was many years ago, but I believe they have gotten stricter.
I did a V6 engine swap into a mini pick-up BEFORE the bi-annual SMOG checks and before all the mini truck manufacturers starting making V6 models. They were all four cylinder engines. (circa 1983ish)
The SWAP involved a Mercury V6 with headers, 4barrel carb, manifold, and a healthy cam. It was stripped of all SMOG parts. I put it in a Chevy Luv pick-up that ran incredible!!!
The Bi-annual SMOG checks started and being much younger and less experienced, I took the advice of a SMOG shop. He said he would have to fail it, send me to a referee.... then they would give me a "grandfather clause" exemption... I was an idiot!!!
The referee met me at the car with a fairly thick stack of books. He inspected the vehicle and engine referencing every vehicle and engine number he found. He then made the following decision;
The engine was newer than the car, so I had to meet ALL the SMOG requirements of the engine year.
The headers, carb, and manifold had to be returned to stock. (He missed the cam)
All applicable SMOG gear for that year (pumps, hoses, valves, etc) must be added to the engine.
The conversion kit moved engine accessories around on custom brackets. The referee said I would have to: move the alternator and power steering to the original positions to attached the appropriate SMOG pump, or I would have to pay a fabricator to custom fit & make custom brackets to add SMOG gear.
His investigation/decision was final. I could not get a current registration without a referee signing off on my work. AND, even back then, the car made it into a computer database......
The fix would have cost me way more than the truck was worth, if all that stuff could have been fit onto the engine at all......
Luckily I owned the truck and had a pink slip, so all I could do was sell it to a guy in Arizona. He had no problem registering the truck, but I took a big hit.
Bottom line: You will need to see a referee to conform with the ticket. The referee WILL check the books and know what is allowed with your car and what is not. You will HAVE to return it to stock, or at least any part the referee flags.
I believe it's too late to find a friendly SMOG shop, the Genie has left the bottle........ I understand your pain my friend.....
That is why I will not make a mod without a CARB EO# again.
If the car was sold to you in California, as a California registered car, you do have recourse against the prior owner. The vehicle code clearly states the SMOG cert. is the owners responsibilty when selling the car.
Good luck to you....
Note- this was many years ago, but I believe they have gotten stricter.
I did a V6 engine swap into a mini pick-up BEFORE the bi-annual SMOG checks and before all the mini truck manufacturers starting making V6 models. They were all four cylinder engines. (circa 1983ish)
The SWAP involved a Mercury V6 with headers, 4barrel carb, manifold, and a healthy cam. It was stripped of all SMOG parts. I put it in a Chevy Luv pick-up that ran incredible!!!
The Bi-annual SMOG checks started and being much younger and less experienced, I took the advice of a SMOG shop. He said he would have to fail it, send me to a referee.... then they would give me a "grandfather clause" exemption... I was an idiot!!!
The referee met me at the car with a fairly thick stack of books. He inspected the vehicle and engine referencing every vehicle and engine number he found. He then made the following decision;
The engine was newer than the car, so I had to meet ALL the SMOG requirements of the engine year.
The headers, carb, and manifold had to be returned to stock. (He missed the cam)
All applicable SMOG gear for that year (pumps, hoses, valves, etc) must be added to the engine.
The conversion kit moved engine accessories around on custom brackets. The referee said I would have to: move the alternator and power steering to the original positions to attached the appropriate SMOG pump, or I would have to pay a fabricator to custom fit & make custom brackets to add SMOG gear.
His investigation/decision was final. I could not get a current registration without a referee signing off on my work. AND, even back then, the car made it into a computer database......
The fix would have cost me way more than the truck was worth, if all that stuff could have been fit onto the engine at all......
Luckily I owned the truck and had a pink slip, so all I could do was sell it to a guy in Arizona. He had no problem registering the truck, but I took a big hit.
Bottom line: You will need to see a referee to conform with the ticket. The referee WILL check the books and know what is allowed with your car and what is not. You will HAVE to return it to stock, or at least any part the referee flags.
I believe it's too late to find a friendly SMOG shop, the Genie has left the bottle........ I understand your pain my friend.....
That is why I will not make a mod without a CARB EO# again.
If the car was sold to you in California, as a California registered car, you do have recourse against the prior owner. The vehicle code clearly states the SMOG cert. is the owners responsibilty when selling the car.
Good luck to you....
We can all thank the greenies for this crap^. I am afraid that our soon to be new president who is indebted to these nut jobs will let their friends in Congress try to spread this across the country. Get ready cause its comming to a town and state near you. By 2025 we'll all be driving 4 cylinder econ-o-boxes
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 2
I have shortys with a CARB EO number no problem, what kinda worries me is the duel cone intakes which is how I bought the car from the dealer and of course smog certified. Is my dual cones OK to have? I see OEM putting them on Rustangs.
