Crawford Plenum: Not CARB Approved

[OCG35]

Originally Posted by Jeff92se

Just a guess here. But do they even open the hood to look in Ca? And would they even be able to tell the difference? Reason why I state this as newer obdII equipped cars don't even go thought the smog sniffer anymore. The inspection place just places an OBDII scanner and reads if the ecu is "ready" ie.. not been reset for xxx miles and sees if there are any codes.

Yes, they open the hood... and to the post above you - some will know and some won't. The only thing to really worry about is the sniffer since it is linked directly to the DMV's database. You should be able to find a tester that will turn a blind eye during the visual.

[Jeff92se]

Is the visual inspection different than a "smog check"? I could be mistaken but I understand if you own a car that's 6 years old or less, one is exempt from the smog test. I'll assume that exempts you from your car being put on the "sniffer".

http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/StdPage....ck/doineed.htm

Not all vehicles must get a Smog Check. Additionally, some vehicles only need a Smog Check when they are being sold or being registered in California after previously being registered in another state. Whether or not a vehicle needs a Smog Check depends on the type of vehicle, the model-year, and the area in which the vehicle is registered.

Some vehicles are exempt from the Smog Check program

Legislation enacted during 2004 made several changes in motor vehicle Smog Check exemptions that will become effective next year. Following is a summary of the revised exemptions and the effective date of each change:

Beginning January 1, 2005, vehicles 6 or less model-years old will be exempt from the biennial Smog Check inspection requirement. For vehicles with registration renewals due in the 2005 calendar year, this exemption includes model-years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Beginning January 1, 2005, vehicles 4 or less model-years old will be exempt from the Smog Check inspection requirement upon change of ownership and transfer of title transactions with DMV. In 2005, this exemption includes model-years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Originally Posted by OCG35

Yes, they open the hood... and to the post above you - some will know and some won't. The only thing to really worry about is the sniffer since it is linked directly to the DMV's database. You should be able to find a tester that will turn a blind eye during the visual.

[OCG35]

^^^ my post was regarding what they do - not when they do it.

I never said anything about having to smog before 6 years. But when it does come time for a smog test - YES they WILL open your hood, look under your car, in ADDITION to the sniffer test.

The guys question was "do they even look under your hood" during a smog test. The answer is "YES".

[c35]

My Crawford plenum and Crawford cats are sitting in my office here at work. Now only if I could install them in the parking lot...

[MechEE]

Originally Posted by c35

Hey folks,

For my next mod (I have had my car for 6 weeks now after all), I was looking to go with a Crawford Plenum--which definitely receives a lot of praise on this site. Today, I emailed the folks there, and I learned that the Crawford Plenum is not CARB approved (AKA, smog legal in the People's Republic of California).

Do the folks in Cali have an issue in passing smog with a Crawford Plenum? Getting that nice bump in horsepower would be nice, but I'm not sure it would be worth the hassle of having to replace the plenum with the stock unit every time I needed to get it smogged.

Thoughts and feedback are appreciated!

They will never notice it in a visual inspection. No worries, unless it's a moral issue.

And don't expect Crawford to EVER seek CARB approval. The process is too expensive to be worth their while.