Infamous SR20 Smog Question (So Cal)

[OneQuickGTR]

Ok well, we all know that the sr will not pass smog. As for many of us thats all we know and we just accept it, but I on the other hand wonder why? Does smog have something to do with power (hp) of an engine? How is it that manufacturers get their 400hp stock vehicles to pass smog while our 200hp sr's wont? What exactly makes it not pass and why is it so hard to modify it so it does? If theres a write-up on this can I have a link to it, I just really want to know how emissions work.

Thanks

[TheTimanator]

Ok well, we all know that the sr will not pass smog. As for many of us thats all we know and we just accept it, but I on the other hand wonder why? Does smog have something to do with power (hp) of an engine? How is it that manufacturers get their 400hp stock vehicles to pass smog while our 200hp sr's wont? What exactly makes it not pass and why is it so hard to modify it so it does? If theres a write-up on this can I have a link to it, I just really want to know how emissions work.

Thanks
SR's can pass emissions...but not a visual inspection. SR20DET's were never sold here in america and therefore never approved by the DOT (from what I understand) They are not a legal swap.

if you would search would already know the answer :)

[OneQuickGTR]

well I know your totally wrong and SR's do not pass emissions (in california, hence the title) from what I remember, seems to me there were SR20DE in the Infiniti G20?

[TheTimanator]

well I know your totally wrong and SR's do not pass emissions (in california, hence the title) from what I remember, seems to me there were SR20DE in the Infiniti G20?
arg, you misunderstood. The SR20DET can pass the "sniffer" test. It cannot however pass a visual inspection which you have in CA.

There are a few cars that have the SR20DE here but no U.S. cars had the turbo version. They're different engines.

again if you searched, this topic was covered recently.
http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=97413&highlight=emissions

[OneQuickGTR]

thanks for your help, but my question was, what are the actual elements that make this engine in a 240sx not pass? we dont have visual inspections in california, all you need is smog and pay registration fees

[Yoshi]

Ok well, we all know that the sr will not pass smog. As for many of us thats all we know and we just accept it, but I on the other hand wonder why? Does smog have something to do with power (hp) of an engine? How is it that manufacturers get their 400hp stock vehicles to pass smog while our 200hp sr's wont? What exactly makes it not pass and why is it so hard to modify it so it does? If theres a write-up on this can I have a link to it, I just really want to know how emissions work.

Thanks

well you started off well, but you ended up asking the same newb question... and knew you were while asking. wtf man. Tim is right. SRs have no prob with the actual nox and such. It's the visual inspection that you'll get stuck on. If you from socal, and you don't already have a hookup for smog (glean from that what you will), then the simple answer is NO SR 4 u. 400hp? u mean like modded STi's? maybe cuz the have 3 cats? There's lots of reasons. At this point any half educated car type (even cops... actually especially chp) knows what a SR looks like on site at this point.

It's as simple as this:
pop hood.
"hmm... that's a JDM engine, you fail."
Thats before u even get to the actual metering ;)

edit: where are u in socal that u don't have visual???
It's been a while since I've lived there, but everyone I know down there still has visual. odd.
If you really don't have a visual, u might get by. It's not like they impound your car for failing.

[ramblux]

edit: where are u in socal that u don't have visual???
It's been a while since I've lived there, but everyone I know down there still has visual. odd.
If you really don't have a visual, u might get by. It's not like they impound your car for failing.

We do have visual inspections.

[Yoshi]

We do have visual inspections.

ok, I thought so, thx ;)
guy was makin me think I was crazy for a sec... either that or my buds down south are gettin bent over :P lol!

[OneQuickGTR]

ok Im really confused, I NEVER got my car visually inspected EVER. Ive had like 3 240's.

1) Buy car, get vehicle transfer papers

2) Go to DMV, pay registration fees and get car smogged

3) Return to DMV with smog and complete registration of the vehicle

4) Wait for your new pink to arrive in the mail

Thats how Ive been registering my cars for the past 2 years? Where did you guys get your cars visually inspected? The only thing I know is that they visually inspect your car if its an out-of-state vehicle. Other than that, no inspecto

Now Im a little more confused, I thought the only reason SR swaps were illegal was because of the smog failure they had?? Can someone please clear this up, thanks

[ramblux]

ok Im really confused, I NEVER got my car visually inspected EVER. Ive had like 3 240's.

1) Buy car, get vehicle transfer papers

2) Go to DMV, pay registration fees and get car smogged

3) Return to DMV with smog and complete registration of the vehicle

4) Wait for your new pink to arrive in the mail

Thats how Ive been registering my cars for the past 2 years? Where did you guys get your cars visually inspected? The only thing I know is that they visually inspect your car if its an out-of-state vehicle. Other than that, no inspecto

Now Im a little more confused, I thought the only reason SR swaps were illegal was because of the smog failure they had?? Can someone please clear this up, thanks

They are inspected by the smog technician before he does the dyno test.

[Phlip]

ok Im really confused, I NEVER got my car visually inspected EVER. Ive had like 3 240's.

1) Buy car, get vehicle transfer papers

2) Go to DMV, pay registration fees and get car smogged

3) Return to DMV with smog and complete registration of the vehicle

4) Wait for your new pink to arrive in the mail

Thats how Ive been registering my cars for the past 2 years? Where did you guys get your cars visually inspected? The only thing I know is that they visually inspect your car if its an out-of-state vehicle. Other than that, no inspecto

Now Im a little more confused, I thought the only reason SR swaps were illegal was because of the smog failure they had?? Can someone please clear this up, thanks
you got your answer, twice in fact. And one actually included a link:
http://www.zilvia.net/f/showpost.php?p=914578&postcount=2
http://www.zilvia.net/f/showpost.php?p=914639&postcount=4
and then confirmation comes from an ex-SoCal'er:
http://www.zilvia.net/f/showpost.php?p=914666&postcount=6

[OneQuickGTR]

Oh ok so as long as you have all your emissions equipment on the vehicle it will pass smog. But that doesnt explain why the car's Ive registered have never been visually inspected, why is that?

And in the end, the legalities of a SR arent with smog complications but with the engine itself, having it not being dot approved?

[OneQuickGTR]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(SLAPS HIMSELF TWICE, THEN TWICE AGAIN)

THEY VISUALLY INSPECT WHEN THEY SMOG!!!! lol.... oh ok, well.... now i know why, please close this thread, lol

By the way, my roommate was the one who told me how the visually inspect =P

[kazuo]

You're also fired for not searching, and therein finding your answer, which has been discussed numerous times.

Also, the visual inspection in CA is not the biggest reason why the SR20DET in a 240SX won't pass the smog test -- its that the JDM RWD SR20DET motor is illegal to have in *any* vehicle made after 1975 in California, and whatever the cutoff year is in other states that have emissions testing.

Period.

[andrewmp6]

heres a simple answer move or pay some one off to pass you or dont tag it and call it a show car

[nrg]

JDM sr20det are ILLEGAL; Enough said. Plus the engine passes smog fine if all the smog equipment are INSTALLED.
When installing the sr20det engine into a LHD car. the AIV would get removed (hits steering), hense removing a smog legal equipment, this is ONE reason why your car will fail a smog test.

[OneQuickGTR]

thanks for the info all of u

[midnite_180]

i passed my SR20 here in san diego CA with 2 new cats on a full stock catback. you just need to go to one of the ghetto shops that dont care about the look of the motor and the fact that it dont have EGR, sparkplug wires, and its turbo.

[BigVinnie]

ok Im really confused, I NEVER got my car visually inspected EVER. Ive had like 3 240's.

1) Buy car, get vehicle transfer papers

2) Go to DMV, pay registration fees and get car smogged

3) Return to DMV with smog and complete registration of the vehicle

4) Wait for your new pink to arrive in the mail

Thats how Ive been registering my cars for the past 2 years? Where did you guys get your cars visually inspected? The only thing I know is that they visually inspect your car if its an out-of-state vehicle. Other than that, no inspecto

Now Im a little more confused, I thought the only reason SR swaps were illegal was because of the smog failure they had?? Can someone please clear this up, thanks

What planet are you from????? All cars in Cali must be visually inspected, unless you live in the boonies of northern Cali........
A smog tech inspects to make shure that all vacuum lines follow the diagram for smog inspection( which the particular engine was approved by the EPA and DOT). You must have carb E.O's on all bolt on equipment in order to get the visual to pass.
Then the smog tech runs you on the rollers and a sniffer. An electrical diagnostic is also done to make shure tat the engine does not exceed it's factory BTDC for advancement or retarding.
Visual inspections are used to simplify problems for smog technicians at test only stations. No pass, no go. If you have gone through 3 240's you should of figured this out by now......

[wootwoot]

Jesus fucking Christ........

[OneQuickGTR]

Lol yes I know my question was answered like 3 posts up, stop posting please