Hello,

First post here, hope this is the right spot for this.

Will a front mount intercooler pass smog here in California or is this just asking to be sent to a ref station?

Thanks,
Derek

 

for a reg smog it would work but a smog ref will not pass you.. atleast thats what i hear..
i passed a smog with my FMIC though

 

yeah, the car is a 2006 so it will be due for its first smog next year, just trying to figure out it it will make it through the visual of a regular smog. I am glad to hear that yours passed, makes me think I might be okay.

 

for 2006 i dont think you have to smog it for 2013. 05 and up arent due for smog for 6 years. thats what dmv said last time i read it.

 

so when am i supose to smog my 2004 wrx? i havent gotten a notice yet but i have gone to the state ref within the past year to get smogged for a ticket does that count as getting smogged?

 

are you the original owner? That would make my day if I have a couple years. I have a few things to track down to pass when the time comes.

 

I don't see why a front mount would make a difference as far as emissions go. All it does is cool down the intake charge. Its not an actual emissions device.

 

I believe any modifications to the intake/exhaust system is not "legal"

 

I found something on this topic on another thread so I looked at the bar.ca.gov website and found Appendix I states:

"For the purposes of a Smog Check inspection, the following parts and emission control changes are acceptable provided that all of the required emission controls are connected and functioning. When conduction a Smog check inspection, it is not necessary to check for a CARB Executive Order for the following:"

Lists several things and then the 11th item down states

*"Intercoolers for OEM turbochargers;"

The link is:

http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource...heck_Guide.pdf

 

Cool, thanks for the info...I used to be a smog tech and don't remember hearing anything in class about front mount intercoolers.

 

yeah i would like to know as well. i went to state ref to get smogged last year. do i still have to get smogged in 2011? (mines is 05 btw)

 

still illegal, if going to state ref to get inspected. Hell, aftermarket boost gauges are illegal as well, according to the state ref.

As for regular smog, don't think the smog techs care much.

 

What is wrong with this state??? An aftermarket boost gauge illegal? I wish that a car would pass smog as long as it passes the sniff test. I mean really, that should be all that matters...

I will probably go back to a TMIC so I don't have to deal with this problem. I only have a VF39, it is too small for the front mount.