California SMOG Question: Downpipes

MinionM3 · 09-07-2012, 03:51 AM

Hi all, the "Panda Bear" is coming along and her next mod is going to be Down Pipes... Before i pull the trigger - In order to pass CA SMOG will I have to get CATTED down pipes, correct? Or can i run CATLESS downpipes and still pass CA SMOG. Anyone on here with experience?

Thanks guys!

b1aze · 09-07-2012, 05:04 AM

Absolutely will not pass smog without cats in your DPs

MinionM3 · 09-07-2012, 10:13 AM

I figured as much... Thanks!

Spoolin Montego · 09-07-2012, 10:34 AM

Wont pass smog in CA even with catted DPs...

ragingpanda · 09-07-2012, 10:56 AM

Best thing to do is to know someone who can pass you if you have downpipes. Otherwise, I would install the OEM downpipes when it comes to inspection.

135Pats · 09-07-2012, 12:12 PM

CA smog is the most stringent in the country, I believe. You won't pass them with any sort of aftermarket downpipes that I know of, a friend of mine who lives in San Diego had his N54 335 fail emissions with high flow race cats a few weeks back. Al Gore & Co hate downpipes apparently. Do the CA guys on the forum just swap back to OEM DPs when its emissions time?

int2str · 09-07-2012, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 135Pats

Do the CA guys on the forum just swap back to OEM DPs when its emissions time?

My car is a "Year one of the 1" 2008 135i. New cars are exempt from smog for 6 years. So nobody had to take their 135i in for smog yet until 2016...

135Pats · 09-07-2012, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by int2str

Quote:

Originally Posted by 135Pats

Do the CA guys on the forum just swap back to OEM DPs when its emissions time?

My car is a "Year one of the 1" 2008 135i. New cars are exempt from smog for 6 years. So nobody had to take their 135i in for smog yet until 2016...

Interesting, though it makes sense. No idea why my friend had to take his in, his car is an 09, but either way he failed and had to go back with the OE downpipes.

infinitekidM2C · 09-07-2012, 05:29 PM

catless or go home..deal with smog when the time comes (do a swap)

MinionM3 · 09-07-2012, 06:13 PM

new cars have a 4 year pass - not 6...

And if Catted & Catless both fail then screw it - go full race no cats lol... Im sure i can find "A guy" who can pass me lol

int2str · 09-07-2012, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MM135

new cars have a 4 year pass - not 6...

Wrong.

DMV FAQ:

"My car is new. Am I still required to get the biennial smog inspection?

...Starting January 1, 2005, owners of vehicles six or less model years old will pay an annual smog abatement fee for the first six registration years instead of being required to provide a biennial smog certification....

MinionM3 · 09-07-2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by int2str

Wrong.

DMV FAQ:

"My car is new. Am I still required to get the biennial smog inspection?

...Starting January 1, 2005, owners of vehicles six or less model years old will pay an annual smog abatement fee for the first six registration years instead of being required to provide a biennial smog certification....

SWEET!!

NihonX · 09-08-2012, 12:23 AM

If your car was originally registered in the state of California, you do not have to smog the vehicle until a few years later. However, if you are coming in from a different state, you must get a smog certificate with a PASS in order to receive California plates.

Catted pipes won't pass in California. I tried with my 135i in 2010.

Visual was good.
OBDII was good.
Emissions were not good.

Everfly · 09-08-2012, 03:51 PM

You can register ur car in some city up way in the mountain which don't require smog

I forgot where but one of my customer has his car register somewhere in CA and doesn't require smog at all. All you need just an address. Probaly some one can google it for us or more knowledgeable than me?

09-07-2012, 03:51 AM	#1
MinionM3 Lieutenant 494 Rep 577 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 // 2020 M2CS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (4)	California SMOG Question: Downpipes Hi all, the "Panda Bear" is coming along and her next mod is going to be Down Pipes... Before i pull the trigger - In order to pass CA SMOG will I have to get CATTED down pipes, correct? Or can i run CATLESS downpipes and still pass CA SMOG. Anyone on here with experience? Thanks guys! __________________ Instagram: @MinionM3 Current Garage: 2012 M3 ZCP, Mineral White, DCT: Track Build 2020 M2CS, Misano Blue, 6MT
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09-07-2012, 05:04 AM	#2
b1aze Just one more taste... 566 Rep 2,011 Posts Drives: 2013 128i 6MT MSport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Uxbridge MA iTrader: (18)	Absolutely will not pass smog without cats in your DPs __________________ My Build Thread: Jet Black 6MT 128i with MSport
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09-07-2012, 10:13 AM	#3
MinionM3 Lieutenant 494 Rep 577 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 // 2020 M2CS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (4)	I figured as much... Thanks! __________________ Instagram: @MinionM3 Current Garage: 2012 M3 ZCP, Mineral White, DCT: Track Build 2020 M2CS, Misano Blue, 6MT
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09-07-2012, 10:34 AM	#4
Spoolin Montego Captain 607 Rep 874 Posts Drives: 16 m3/20 x5m/23 m3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Orange County iTrader: (1)	Wont pass smog in CA even with catted DPs...
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09-07-2012, 10:56 AM	#5
ragingpanda Banned 321 Rep 751 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Best thing to do is to know someone who can pass you if you have downpipes. Otherwise, I would install the OEM downpipes when it comes to inspection.
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09-07-2012, 12:12 PM	#6
135Pats Major General 456 Rep 6,478 Posts Drives: A few BMWs Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (3)	CA smog is the most stringent in the country, I believe. You won't pass them with any sort of aftermarket downpipes that I know of, a friend of mine who lives in San Diego had his N54 335 fail emissions with high flow race cats a few weeks back. Al Gore & Co hate downpipes apparently. Do the CA guys on the forum just swap back to OEM DPs when its emissions time? __________________ E88 N54 Alpinweiss/Coral Red/Motiv HTA 3586r Tial .82AR/Other stuff...652WHP F30 N55 XDrive EBII
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09-07-2012, 05:29 PM	#9
infinitekidM2C Major General 4230 Rep 5,731 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2019 M2 COMPETITION [9.75] 2008 135i (my old car) [7.56]	catless or go home..deal with smog when the time comes (do a swap)
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09-07-2012, 06:13 PM	#10
MinionM3 Lieutenant 494 Rep 577 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 // 2020 M2CS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (4)	new cars have a 4 year pass - not 6... And if Catted & Catless both fail then screw it - go full race no cats lol... Im sure i can find "A guy" who can pass me lol __________________ Instagram: @MinionM3 Current Garage: 2012 M3 ZCP, Mineral White, DCT: Track Build 2020 M2CS, Misano Blue, 6MT
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09-08-2012, 12:23 AM	#13
NihonX Captain 63 Rep 901 Posts Drives: 2011 VO 1M Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Antioch iTrader: (8)	If your car was originally registered in the state of California, you do not have to smog the vehicle until a few years later. However, if you are coming in from a different state, you must get a smog certificate with a PASS in order to receive California plates. Catted pipes won't pass in California. I tried with my 135i in 2010. Visual was good. OBDII was good. Emissions were not good. __________________ 2011 VO 1M
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09-08-2012, 03:51 PM	#14
Everfly Brigadier General 155 Rep 3,143 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (51)	You can register ur car in some city up way in the mountain which don't require smog I forgot where but one of my customer has his car register somewhere in CA and doesn't require smog at all. All you need just an address. Probaly some one can google it for us or more knowledgeable than me?
	Appreciate 0 Quote