[suprfly]

I thought I'd share my experience smogging my modified car in Los Angeles, CA. I hope that some users on this forum will find this thread useful.

I purchased my car completely stock in early 2021 and quickly began modding it since I didn't have to worry about a smog check until 2024.

Mods:

MST intake
AWE cat-back exhaust
CG Precision DS-1 hi-flow race catted downpipe
bootmod3 stage 2 tune
x-hp stage 2 transmission tune

I don't run the car on any E85 blends - just an OTS Stage 2 map w/ 91 ACN fuel.

I flashed the car back to stock and re-locked the DME via bootmod3. I drove it for approximately 60 miles and went straight to a smog place that I called ahead of time to see if they performed 'pre-tests'. Pre-tests, for anyone that doesn't know, is when the smog tech tests the car without the results being sent to the DMV. In this case, he hooked up an OBD scanner/tool to the car and scanned everything to see if all the systems were ready or not.

I passed the pre-test and decided to proceed with the official test. I was pretty nervous because here in CA if you fail the smog check you can be referred to the state referee which isn't fun.

Anyways, I passed. He did ask me if I had any aftermarket parts on the car and I said no. I did not witness the tech go around my car with a mirror to look under the vehicle which was a relief - I assume my reply to his question was sufficient for him.

I hope this helps someone out

[nosam1g]

looks about right , pass with high flow cat , exhaust , and intake. Cat less will not pass/if they inspect for carb etc

[DreamerJoe]

I usually find a place to slip $150 and they make it pass. Only thing is last friend I sent to my spot, where I paid $150 3 years ago, charged him over $300. With the whole smog abatement thing my 8 years is up next year. Thank you for the post 🙏 I’m catless though so screwed.

[4coupe440i]

Originally Posted by suprfly

I called ahead of time to see if they performed 'pre-tests'.

Just do the pre-test yourself! Use your BM3 adapter to check the EOBD sensor readiness state.

[SpoolinAddict]

Originally Posted by 4coupe440i

Just do the pre-test yourself! Use your BM3 adapter to check the EOBD sensor readiness state.

You check this through BM3 app?

can you check through bimmerlink?

I only have a veapeak bluetooth adapter and a enet adapter

[4coupe440i]

MHD can show it so I assume BM3 can do the same...

View post on imgur.com

[XxThe_RemedyXx]

Catless passes for me no issues with spacer. Flashed back to stock tune, no locking DME. Pre-test done myself until all green and go to shop. No issues.

[SpoolinAddict]

Originally Posted by 4coupe440i

MHD can show it so I assume BM3 can do the same...

View post on imgur.com

do you have to have a license or can any android user just download it and check readiness. I'm on bm3

[DreamerJoe]

Originally Posted by XxThe_RemedyXx

Catless passes for me no issues with spacer. Flashed back to stock tune, no locking DME. Pre-test done myself until all green and go to shop. No issues.

Really? I’m in California and curious if that would work for me as well. Do different states allow for different levels of emmisions? What draws the lines? I know some states just don’t give a F, like texas, and can problem drive a nascar if it had lights and blinkers

[pauli18c]

Originally Posted by DreamerJoe

Really? I’m in California and curious if that would work for me as well. Do different states allow for different levels of emmisions? What draws the lines? I know some states just don’t give a F, like texas, and can problem drive a nascar if it had lights and blinkers

In Illinois as long as there's no check engine light, (Aka all the readiness monitors are set, or turned off via a tuner) you will pass. They don't actually smog test the tailpipe anymore.

[SpoolinAddict]

Originally Posted by DreamerJoe

Really? I’m in California and curious if that would work for me as well. Do different states allow for different levels of emmisions? What draws the lines? I know some states just don’t give a F, like texas, and can problem drive a nascar if it had lights and blinkers

You won't pass with catless unless you know the smog tech. You won't pass visual and readiness monitor. They also check for tunes

Originally Posted by pauli18c

In Illinois as long as there's no check engine light, (Aka all the readiness monitors are set, or turned off via a tuner) you will pass. They don't actually smog test the tailpipe anymore.

I think most states are similar but CA is more strict