birk1

I am moving to houston from Oklahoma (where we dont have any emmissions tests)

I have a question: My car is an 08 LS3 with headers / no cats / and a procharger with 10lbs of boost --- and a Speed Density Tune.

what is it going to take to pass emmissions in houston? I read that SD tunes make it tough since it turns off the MAF... I know I will need to install some cats, but what about the tune when they plug in the computer to read codes?

help please!

Ryan

0Andrew6@TheDoubleAA

I usually send my wife to get the tags but if memory fails me correctly all they do now is plug into your OBDII and check for codes. I am not sure if they actually measure anything any more.

birk1

the problem with that is I have 2 of my O2 sensors turned off...so that will throw a code...and I also dont have a MAF...so that will throw a code.

got code problems...

Slow Z06

you are allowed 1 not ready via OBDII DTCs dont matter

birk1

well would the SD tune give me 1?

or will the turned off O2 sensors give me 1?

just wondering how many I have already - I guess I need to find a shop when I hit town and have it checked along with my cats installed before I take it in for a new tag etc...

do I need cats or can I get away without having them?

One Bad Vette

If your tune has turned off the rear o2 sensors and you are not seeing a check engine light on the dash your fine. No light, no trouble codes.

Slow Z06

not necessarliy you can turn the ses light off in a tune yet still have the code. SD tunes will have a P0101 and p0102 code present but no light

birk1

p0101 and p0102 code = the MAF is not working properly.

will this be an emissions test killer? what is the work around? I guess I will ask my local tuner to see what he can do?

Slow Z06

it will not affect the emissions test here. the maf MUST be failed and those codes set to truly be in SD.

birk1

My MAF is dead...only using it for IAT's...so it sounds like I should be good to go.

do they do a sniffer test? meaning will I need to install CATs?

Slow Z06

no sniffer, just OBDII

birk1

so it actually sounds like my car would pass as is from what I understand?

they will just read the OBDII for codes (which I should have none since my SES light is off, but will have checked anyways)...what will they check for? I have no rear O2 sensors. What else do I need to know? I really appreciate your help, I was worried it was going to cost me a fortune to get my car ready for houston living (which I will only be driving on weekends anyways)

Slow Z06

they check for emission systems "not ready" Each time the battery is disconnected or the car tune is re-flashed then a drive cycle must be completed for the computer to determine if the car is "ready". If you or you tuner have HPTuners you can plug it in and read whats not ready.

birk1

car was tuned with HPtuners...so I will head out to the shop and make sure all the emission systems are "ready"

thanks! hope to see you sometime when I get to Htown

Ryan

0Andrew6@TheDoubleAA

when you moving to Houston?

birk1

I will be there in about 4 weeks

Mez

Its best if you read up on the testing procedure because it will help you understand exactly what they are looking for.

They look at the PCM for both MIL codes and "ready" status which may or may not trigger a check engine light.

Here is the extract from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Department of Public Safety website

Ready or Not

Setting the Record Straight on Readiness Monitors and On-Board Diagnostics (OBDII) Inspections

* Readiness Monitor Status
* What does "Ready" vs. "Not Ready" status mean?
* What is the most common reason monitors are "Not Ready"?
* Where is Readiness Monitor Status on the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR)?
* Changing the monitor(s) to "Ready"
* If the vehicle has DTC's stored, and the MIL is commanded on:
* IMPORTANT!

Readiness Monitor Status
Readiness Monitor Status is NOT the same as Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's). Readiness represents whether or not the emissions control system in question has been evaluated. This evaluation tests for system functionality and, if a problem is detected, a DTC will be stored in the on-board computer.


What does "Ready" vs. "Not Ready" status mean?

* Ready - the OBDII system has checked this emissions control system.
* Not Ready - the OBDII system has NOT checked this emissions control system.
* N/A or N/S - the OBDII system is not required to check this emissions control system.


Disconnecting the battery is the most common reason why monitors are "Not Ready"
Some reasons for disconnecting the battery are:

* tune-ups and other engine repairs
* dead battery replacement
* car radio installations
* car alarm installations


Where is Readiness Monitor Status on the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR)?
The Emissions Tests Results section of the VIR shows the status of each readiness monitor.

Remember Effective October 15, 2008:
For vehicles year model 2001 and newer, we allow one (1) non-continuous monitor to be Not Ready and still pass the test, but two (2) or more Not Ready's will cause the vehicle to fail.
For vehicles year model 1996 – 2000, we allow two (2) non-continuous monitors to be Not Ready and still pass the test, but three (3) or more Not Ready's will cause the vehicle to fail.
Emissions Test Results
MIL CMND Status: OFF Misfire: Ready Heated Cat: N/S 02Sensor Not Ready
Fuel Sys: Ready Evap: Ready 02 Sensor Htr: Ready
MIL Engine On: PASS Comp Cmpnt: Ready 2nd Sys: Ready EGR Sys: Not Ready
MIL Engine Off: PASS Catalyst: Not Ready Air Cond: N/S
Overall Result - FAIL



Changing the monitor(s) to "READY"

* In order to get the OBDII system to set the monitors to "Ready", the vehicle needs to be driven through a drive cycle/drive trace.
* If you don't have access to drive cycles/drive traces, they should be available from a qualified service technician or dealership.
* With a generic OBDII scan tool*, verify the monitors are "READY" before returning the vehicle to the customer.

*Vehicle manufacturer specific scan tools must be in the global OBDII or generic OBDII mode to display readiness monitor status.


If the vehicle has DTC's stored, and the MIL is commanded on:

* The vehicle will need repairs to correct the malfunction before it will pass the OBDII inspection.
* If you've cleared the DTC's (using a scan tool or disconnecting the battery), monitors will reset to "NOT READY".
* Driving the vehicle through the drive cycle/drive trace will set the monitors back to "Ready" and verify that the repairs were effective.
* With a generic OBDII scan tool, verify the monitors are "READY" before returning the vehicle to the customer.


IMPORTANT!!!
Automobile repair technicians need to check for service and recall bulletins that may apply to certain vehicles with readiness issues.

birk1

awesome !!! Thanks so much for the help!

Ryan

Mez

Tell your tuner you need to pass the Texas OBDII tests as listed above. They may be able to "help" the PCM to give a "Ready" status.

Stickboy97

Or you can always go to a small gas station outside of Houston, say in Montgomery County in say the Cleveland area (N I-59) and get your stickers. Some of these shops don't even plug your car in or charge a little extra if you fail. Not that I have ever done it.