Have an '01 Turbo that is stock except for two EVOMS diverted valves that I put on getting ready for a flash. Had to have it smog checked (every 2 years here I the great Republic of CA) and while it PASSED all instrumented tests the facility failed it as TAMPERED. They said the diverters need an EO number from the state.

Wtf? On a 991 there would be no way to even see that. I could just put the stock diverters back but that's a PITA. Anyone know of a friendly smog place in the Sacramento region?

 

I'm yet to get my car inspected where the inspector can even find the engine. They always open the hood, see the empty frunk, close it, and give up.

 

The state is getting worse as of this year. The Star Program. They are clamping down on the smog techs big time. I doubt you will find better. The only thing that might help is to paint the bits semi gloss black so they will blend in better and cross your fingers.
Good luck and be careful! [BTW, your best bet is a place that doesn't know too much about the cars. However they are now supplying the techs with a lot more images of what various cars are supposed to look like, so it isn't going to get any better.]

 

What does diverters have to do with smog? Thats just stupid. Lol thats like telling a ricer hey take off your stupid bumble bee exhaust when passing your smog.

 

Trying plasti-dip the diverter valve for the test and afterwards you can peel off the layer. Just remember to spray enough for the layer to be thick enough to peel

 

Yeah - I've been in CA since '95 and have had my fill. If it wasn't for my wife's family being here I'd have gone somewhere more sane by now.

Not good news that they are arming techs with more info - the guy that caught this was giddy about it. I'm going to take the car to a couple of places on Monday and ask them about it before the test. Don't want to be out another $50. It's just such a PITA to remove and reinstall the diverters.

Regarding the plasti-dip: is this viable for making the EVO diverters look more like stock? Is this a long term solution or will that stuff come off? I don't want to have to do it every 2 years!

 

The car is probably in the computer system as a fail. When you show up at a new shop the alarms will go off.

 

Plasti dip although not a permanent solution is pretty good, depending on how much heat you expose it to like all rubber coating will flake eventually

 

my car has been "tampered" with extensively and it passes every time. as long as the codes are all set to "ready". i did have issues with readiness codes, but learned the "reset" protocol.

you picked a lousy test station but i agree the car is probably now in the system as failed. or perhaps it's time sensitive. i know that when i failed i couldn't test the car same day, but went back next day with codes all "ready" and all was ok.

 

Yes, you failed the visual. Changes of having a tester who knows the car is slim to none. What smog shop did you take it to?

 

Your kidding me on OBDII cars they are going to do a code read and inspection now. No more tailpipe sniffer. Opens up cams and headwork on a ton of cars that in the past would never be able pass before.

Though in all honesty they should just sniff the car and if if blows clean let it pass irrespective of the modifications.

Viable mods are basically a instant fail now though, they flag my Viper for non factory air filters, not a intake just the filters.

 

assuming you mean "visual"?! holy cr*p.

 

Smog 'n Go in Folsom. I hadn't considered being in the computer as failed. Guess that makes sense so I'll just take the time to put the originals back. Maybe I can do just the outside one, the back one is a pain.

It's really BS that they do this visual as with the 991 and other cars there is no way to see the engine. I asked him that and he said they are only required to look at what can be seen without taking anything apart. Ridiculous.

 

The tech at the shop told me the sniff test is too short a duration of time, according to the state, to be fully accurate so a visual inspection is needed as well. It's bullsh1t and a result of a system that rewards people for simply writing laws and regulations regardless of how viable they are. And CARB is one of the worst offenders of this.

Regarding air filters - are they going to start flagging even K&Ns then (and only if you have a sticker saying its a K&N since they said they don't disassemble anything)?

 

The reason for the visual inspection has nothing to do with keeping our air clean even though this is what they would have you believe. The state of CA wants to force manufacturers of aftermarket parts to pay a fee to CARB to get their stamp of approval. That's all they are interested in doing is collecting fees. Makes things a pain in the *** for all of us trying to get through a smog inspection with cars that already have clean emissions coming out the tail pipe but no certification from CARB for aftermarket parts.