Hey guys this info will be good for anyone in Cali that has JWT popcharger or HR OEM exhaust manifolds on their G35.

First smog shop wouldn't smog my g35 because he says it looks modified. He explained There shouldn't be a hole there for the ducting. He showed me a picture he pulled up and surely it was a JWT popcharger... but for a 350z. I explained to him his findings but he just wont have it. So I left thinking to myself.... how can a idiot not tell the difference from a G35 popcharger and 350z popcharger when pulled up side by side. Called Ben at JWT and ordered the missing rubber pieces as mine are gone. Explained to him the situation and assured me that I should pass no issues and I shouldn't return to that shop.

Went to another shop and that shop was shady as hell. He popped my hood and said looks good. Ran the test and then afterwards said I failed. WTF!!!!!!!!! He told me I failed cause my headers are aftermarket. I told him that they are OEM. OEM off these years cars ( i have 370z/HR exhaust manifolds). He said no it has to be G35 only (And i have the factory heat shields on). Frustrated I payed for the scam and left. Called BAR and they assured me as long as its OEM ( from a newer car) i'm good to go. This is coming from BAR.


So my conclusion is find a honest smog tech who knows his stuff. Seems like The smog tech has a say on the final decision. If he is an *** he can fail you even if you pass visually and functionally. I want to report my findings to BBB and BAR but seems unnecessary at the moment. Just thought I share with you guys in here.

 

There's more information posted on other threads about CA. smog checks with the new STAR system. They'll fail you for having a pop charger too unless you have a CARB sticker. Any excuse to take your $$ and hope you don't come back within the time allowed. Bill (butkiss) removed/replaced his ART pipes and headers so he could pass. It's getting tough here on the left coast!
Gary

 

Apparently when you're going to these "shady" smog techs you're not offering the expected amount of graft to secure a pass.

 

I meant to say shady after the test and finding out his scam ( was my first time there). The place was just recently opened and very clean and had an in ground dyno. Sorry if not clarifying. Although not all shops have adopted the new practice yet, I did pass with a new smog shop using the old and new testing procedure ( combined tailpipe and OBD2 scan). This was of course done at a STAR test only station. He noticed my exhaust manifolds were coated, but said they are oem "no problem".

The JWT popcharger had the old CARB O.E number and Ben was more then helpful by sending me a new one. The newest CARB O.E ends with an 8. The smog technician said it was fine as long as the new plate is on the way. So far I have been happy with this new smog station. The guy knows what he is doing and can tell apart aftermarket and OEM. But above all... very honest and helpful. TWO thumbs up for that shop.

I can only go to in ground smog stations, as i'm too lazy to raise the G. Limits me to certain places only.

 

You sure are right on that part. BTW unmarrying the Osiris tune was piece of cake. Although I read that the stealership can tell if the ECU has been flashed or tampered with by plugging in their diagnostic tool, the smog station didn't. I was worried about that part too.

Now I just got to do more data logs and fix a new map for the cats.

 

I believe as long as you're not throwing error codes, pass the sniffer test and have CARB stickers for your mods getting thru CA. new STAR smog checks are doable! I didn't make changes to my Osiris tune prior to passing my test. It is important when swapping your OE cats back on, to drive your G for about 25 miles so they heat up!
Gary