Smog help!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 945
Likes: 24
From: NORTHRIDGE CALIFORNIA
Smog help!
I have owned my 95 ZR-1 for over 11 years, smogged it every 2 years and passed.
Now, with the same sniffer number results, it didn't pass because
the limits have been lowered (made tougher). I am working on cleaning it up
even more, but.........
anyone know of a "friend" who can help? Wink , Wink.
wSFV area.
Thanks, and you can email me
tfed11@earthlink.net
PS Has to be "TEST ONLY" station
Now, with the same sniffer number results, it didn't pass because
the limits have been lowered (made tougher). I am working on cleaning it up
even more, but.........
anyone know of a "friend" who can help? Wink , Wink.
wSFV area.
Thanks, and you can email me
tfed11@earthlink.net
PS Has to be "TEST ONLY" station
Last edited by 95ZR1; Dec 15, 2011 at 10:34 PM. Reason: Wanted 2
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
Who told you they've changed the limits?
"Older cars have looser standards than n ewer ones. No vehicle is ever held to a standard intended for a car which is newer or technologically more advanced, and allowance is made for normal wear and tear in a vehicle's emissions control system as it ages
http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource...ns_Part_2.html
"Older cars have looser standards than n ewer ones. No vehicle is ever held to a standard intended for a car which is newer or technologically more advanced, and allowance is made for normal wear and tear in a vehicle's emissions control system as it ages
http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource...ns_Part_2.html
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 945
Likes: 24
From: NORTHRIDGE CALIFORNIA
Who told you they've changed the limits?
"Older cars have looser standards than n ewer ones. No vehicle is ever held to a standard intended for a car which is newer or technologically more advanced, and allowance is made for normal wear and tear in a vehicle's emissions control system as it ages
http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource...ns_Part_2.html
"Older cars have looser standards than n ewer ones. No vehicle is ever held to a standard intended for a car which is newer or technologically more advanced, and allowance is made for normal wear and tear in a vehicle's emissions control system as it ages
http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource...ns_Part_2.html
EVERY PARAMETER IS LOWER
just one example:
25 mph max NO (2011) 494
25 mph max NO (2009) 706
PS I am not saying you are wrong- I read the reference and either it is old (2010?) and things have changed or something
else is going on. The limit numbers ARE tougher now for the exact same car
Last edited by 95ZR1; Dec 13, 2011 at 11:55 PM. Reason: Wanted 2
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 35,874
Likes: 1,601
From: Honolulu HI
Make sure the car is is completely warmed up...go for a long drive prior to the test, and keep the car running while you're waiting for them to hook you up to the machine. Those cats need to be as hot as possible to work at their best. If that didn't work, I'd just replace the cats...they'll be the newest technology available (2011 cats better than 95 cats), and should easily get your car to conform to the newer guidlines. 
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
"Smoggies" smog shop in Ventura CA is sketchy as hell. I dont own anything that needs smog so I have no personal experience with them on my cars, but they do our cars at work for a great price, and the place screams shady.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,774
Likes: 66
From: SoCal
I know what you mean. I had to smog my 90 ZR-1 earlier this year. Saw the same thing with the numbers. They are trying to get the older cars off the road. Mine did pass but not as much room to pass as last time. But you do need to get those CATS hot. You do have CATS right? If not you will fail for sure. Headers with CATS have a hard time passing as well. Take it for a good drive before taking it in. Don't let it sit for a long period of time before hitting the rollers.
Your car has an EGR valve, so you can get a tune to turn on the EGR sooner. That will help with it passing as well. Not an option on my 90 (No EGR). Hopefully you do not have any bad injectors. Stock ones are known to go bad and cause issues.
What did you fail on BTW?
Greg
Your car has an EGR valve, so you can get a tune to turn on the EGR sooner. That will help with it passing as well. Not an option on my 90 (No EGR). Hopefully you do not have any bad injectors. Stock ones are known to go bad and cause issues.
What did you fail on BTW?
Greg
Last edited by RedRiderZR1; Dec 14, 2011 at 04:39 AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
To be almost forced to buy another car as in new is BS!!
What 95ZR1 posted is true they have tightened up.
My former ZR1 always passed with flying colors failed this yr.
Put new cats on and even in perfect tune STILL baaaarely passed!
Its BS. Hope someone can help this guy out hes a standup member
What 95ZR1 posted is true they have tightened up.
My former ZR1 always passed with flying colors failed this yr.
Put new cats on and even in perfect tune STILL baaaarely passed!
Its BS. Hope someone can help this guy out hes a standup member
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Hmm These are bad news...
If your stock Z is not passing SMOG, my 96 will never pass.
If your stock Z is not passing SMOG, my 96 will never pass.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,253
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley CA
Same story here. I bought some used low mileage cats off a forum member and barely passed. I immediately took those cats off so they wouldn't degrade any furthor until the next BS smog check.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,774
Likes: 66
From: SoCal
Ted,
Thanks for sending your Smog Scans. You can really tell in 2011 they dropped the values for NOx and HC. If you have some new CATs coming that should help. I got a used set with around 20 miles on them. Guy drove car home from dealership and took them off. Got really lucky there. Anyways, took mine in for a smog test after the swap and it ran real clean. So should help you out. Also check vacuum lines for leaks and EGR operation. And of course usual tune up stuff.
Good Luck.
Greg
Thanks for sending your Smog Scans. You can really tell in 2011 they dropped the values for NOx and HC. If you have some new CATs coming that should help. I got a used set with around 20 miles on them. Guy drove car home from dealership and took them off. Got really lucky there. Anyways, took mine in for a smog test after the swap and it ran real clean. So should help you out. Also check vacuum lines for leaks and EGR operation. And of course usual tune up stuff.
Good Luck.
Greg
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,534
Likes: 118
From: Columbia, SC
Who told you they've changed the limits?
"Older cars have looser standards than n ewer ones. No vehicle is ever held to a standard intended for a car which is newer or technologically more advanced, and allowance is made for normal wear and tear in a vehicle's emissions control system as it ages
http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource...ns_Part_2.html
"Older cars have looser standards than n ewer ones. No vehicle is ever held to a standard intended for a car which is newer or technologically more advanced, and allowance is made for normal wear and tear in a vehicle's emissions control system as it ages
http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource...ns_Part_2.html
Are you kidding me? Absolute BS.
EVERY PARAMETER IS LOWER
just one example:
25 mph max NO (2011) 494
25 mph max NO (2009) 706
PS I am not saying you are wrong- I read the reference and either it is old (2010?) and things have changed or something
else is going on. The limit numbers ARE tougher now for the exact same car
EVERY PARAMETER IS LOWER
just one example:
25 mph max NO (2011) 494
25 mph max NO (2009) 706
PS I am not saying you are wrong- I read the reference and either it is old (2010?) and things have changed or something
else is going on. The limit numbers ARE tougher now for the exact same car
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Id def take it in front of the ref if need be this just doesnt seem right..to be forced to sell a perfectly good running car in tune. 
Not everyone wants to drive a brand new car let alone pay for one.
Freedom of choice!!!
Not everyone wants to drive a brand new car let alone pay for one.
Freedom of choice!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 137
From: SoCal CA
Yup, they lowered all the parameters on the test by about half for older cars. It really sucks because theyre working hard to get old cars off the road. Idk if its enough to help you but I have had great results using the addative "Guarenteed to Pass". I just pour a bottle in half a tank and drive for about an hour or so before the smog test. You can find it and any auto parts store. It really lowers nox and Co2. Just an idea, hope it helps.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 830
Likes: 2
From: 6000' up in the mountains CA
OK, I'm no expert at all on smog requirements, but something smells here...
how is it possible for a car to pass smog tests for 15 yrs & then w/ the same test results someone says, "We just changed the requirements, u now failed"
either I've misread this thread or 25 yr experience w/ Calif. law is now worthless...
how is it possible for a car to pass smog tests for 15 yrs & then w/ the same test results someone says, "We just changed the requirements, u now failed"
either I've misread this thread or 25 yr experience w/ Calif. law is now worthless...
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 10
From: Simi Valley CA
I post this up every time there's a thread about not passing smog.
If you failed the sniffer, you can add a 15-20% mix of xylene to your gas. It will clean it right up. After the test, fill up with some good gas.
My 944 failed miserably. When I ran the xylene, it was a "raised eyebrow" because it was so clean. (technically, it went from 1200 ppm, to 80 ppm... passing was 750 ish)
If you failed the sniffer, you can add a 15-20% mix of xylene to your gas. It will clean it right up. After the test, fill up with some good gas.
My 944 failed miserably. When I ran the xylene, it was a "raised eyebrow" because it was so clean. (technically, it went from 1200 ppm, to 80 ppm... passing was 750 ish)