California Scion tC Modification Thread

[Soulbane]

Hey guys, I'm creating this thread for tuners, and tC owners alike who are currently residing in California.

For those of you outside of California (Be thankful for that) what has happened in California is that crack downs on heavy polluters is getting stronger and the SMOG Emissions laws are taking a change.

California Highway Policemen and Patrol Units in the Sheriff's department now carry infrared scanners that can detect law-breaking levels of exhaust. They wont pull you over, but you may get a $500 fix-it ticket in the mail.

Also SMOG Checks for performance vehicles are now controlled by the Sheriff's Department. Your vehicle is required to pass the three following tests:

1. Visual Inspection of the Exhaust system and engine bay.
2. OBD2 Unit and Sensor Check
3. The Sniffer (A prod placed in the exhaust to measure levels of emissions.)
4. The optional fourth is a decibel check for systems that are "too loud."

Failure to meet any or a combination of the required parameters above can result from a warning, a no-cost fix it ticket, fix-it ticket and fine that can reach $2,500 or impounding.


So........ With that out of the way, let's contribute to this thread. Modifications that focus on CARB legal, street legal, and STEALTH mode modifications.

Anyone with mods that make the under carriage, exhaust, engine bay or anything for that matter look more stealth, please contribute to this thread.

Common sense please nothing screams, "Scan me!" like a 4inch can sticking out of your rear bumper that screams louder than a jet engine.


-Soulbane

(Navy, sticky if you could)

[navylife59]

Good topic. Consider yourself "stucked". This will be redirected under the performance thread.

[Soulbane]

Thank you, Borla stealth exhausts have been known for their great stealth looks.

TRD also, completely CARB legal.

Same with GReddy SP2.

Just need to get some links up here now.

[thaipnoy]

When I got pulled over and I had everything in the car, h/e turbo the cop checked my car and I had to go to the ref. I took everything out but kept my pulley lol that sucked but they didn't notice it and I had to buy a stock exaust set up from the junk yard worst day ever

[Soulbane]

It's time to go with the TRD S/C, but I'm really tired of hearing all the damned problems people are having with it.

TRD used to be famous for reliability, what happened?!

[navylife59]

Yep, mine just started leaking oil at the horseshoe bracket. It has a new seal. If the shaft is not lined up properly, it will cause that seal to fail. My plans are to pass this on to my Son and install a direct drive Rotrex.
Fighting belt slip that is killing me 5K. Guess it is like a built in rev limiter for 14.5PSI.

[Mengsta]

Ok first of all cops having infrared scanners that can check law breaking levels of exhaust? Please show some proof, i highly doubt that is the case. Now they do have scanners that can check DB levels. So it really doesnt matter what exhaust you have because ALL axlebacks or exhausts are considered carb legal. Only thing that will make u fail smog is if its too loud or you removed 1 of the 2 catalytic converters. So basically saying TRD, hks, tanabe, all of them are legal. So as far as smog checks go, all you really need are the 2 cats intact on the exhaust

Now for the visual inspection which is very big in CALI. All you really have to do is reinstall the stock parts. EG: intake, header, and so on. Becuase as far as i know, no intakes are CARB legal in cali. Maybe the trd one will be soon.

Also there are many sleeper parts that cops and smog stations cant really get you for. Parts like a pulley or any exhaust that doesnt delete the cats (unless your exhaust is loud as hell). For those of you who also live in cali suspension upgrades are also always welcome.

[navylife59]

Fort Worth, Texas uses a remote smog check that consists of hydrocarbon sniffers, some type of video sensor (maybe infrared) and a camera to record your license plate for violation. It is ran automatically from a panel truck that they setup on certain freeway entrance ramps. This is done randomly so that you bever know when or where. I just know to avoid entrance ramps with white panel trucks parked on the side.

I do believe that the major players in the intake market have CARB legal products, especially TRD. AEM states this on their website ...
All AEM Cold Air systems are either 50-state legal or pending (excluding "Off Road" and "Hybrid" systems),

[frc19]

haha man im so lucky, i live and go to school in cali, but my residency is in nevada so i get to keep my nevada plates and liscence and i dont think the cops can do anything as long as im nevada legal.....i think....right???

[Mengsta]

cops can still give you a ticket for anything illegal like too loud of an exhaust, but for smog laws, i think you go by whatever nevada goes by.

[frc19]

cool, thx

ya i learned the hard day about the other illegal things in Cali that arnt in Nevada, like my tint for example. I have 5% tint all the way around and ive gotten caught twice aleady for it. $120 fine each time....ouch

[Mengsta]

lol holy **** 5 percent, yeah u gotta be careful in cali with that.

[Redneck4csa]

You'd have to be careful with that anywhere...

[frc19]

lol ya no tint on the front windows at all in cali, and in nevada only 35%....so im kinda stretchin the limit with what i got hahaha

[Soulbane]

Ok first of all cops having infrared scanners that can check law breaking levels of exhaust? Please show some proof, i highly doubt that is the case. Now they do have scanners that can check DB levels. So it really doesnt matter what exhaust you have because ALL axlebacks or exhausts are considered carb legal. Only thing that will make u fail smog is if its too loud or you removed 1 of the 2 catalytic converters. So basically saying TRD, hks, tanabe, all of them are legal. So as far as smog checks go, all you really need are the 2 cats intact on the exhaust

Now for the visual inspection which is very big in CALI. All you really have to do is reinstall the stock parts. EG: intake, header, and so on. Becuase as far as i know, no intakes are CARB legal in cali. Maybe the trd one will be soon.

Also there are many sleeper parts that cops and smog stations cant really get you for. Parts like a pulley or any exhaust that doesnt delete the cats (unless your exhaust is loud as hell). For those of you who also live in cali suspension upgrades are also always welcome.

You'll have to take my word on it for now. In the mean time I'll search for the article in the state legislation (which is not fun btw)

Many INJEN and AEM intakes are CARB compliant and 50 states legal.

Now for California SMOG, i know this first hand, because I've been through it THREE times. You must pass the following.

1. Visual test.
2. OBD II check
3. Sniffer test.
4. In rare case, an idle or decibel check.

While removing cats will definitely fail you on the sniffer test, other mods, such as piggy back units that modify A/F ratios, or timing, will definitely FAIL you your OBD2 test. If you've got hi-flow cats that still allow you to pass the sniffer, you may still throw a cel due to whack readings from your o2 sensors.

If you get caught with a electrical or mechanical CEL fix, you're boned with a beautiful $50 fix it ticket. These add up, fast.

Right now, I'm more leaned towards heading to a turbo-charged set up. Now, there's nothing better than actually being low profile and actually avoiding attention altogether.

So, "STEALTH" mod recommendations would be cool as well.

[Mengsta]

ok where to start...
Injen is not carb legal for tc.. that i know.

and the shops that ive been to have not charged me for a fix it ticket just because i have a CEL, they just give me 3 free retests, for whenever i do come back with a fixed CEL.

and THIRD. Why the hell are you talking about smog laws but still get a turbo? lol Thats going to fail for sure. Unless you know a homie at a smog station that will hook you up.

And yes i kno how it is to be sleeper or what the new people call now, "stealth". Very nice to never have cops pull you over.

I am in no way trying to argue, lol just dont want people to be misled. IE: buying an INjen because they think its legal, when its not. Although its not a bigdeal because it takes about 15 minutes to reinstall the OEM intake before a test.

Anyway please do find that article on cops having a scanner that can scan "law breaking" exhausts... no rush. I would be very amazed. PEace

[navylife59]

It is true, these intakes are not CARB legal. I verified this with Ken at TRDSparks.Com; a very trusted resource. I was shocked myself as I thought the AEM/TRD piece was. I believe they were at one time or was in the process of filing for compliance but that got pulled.

Sorry guys, but screw Kali on this one. An aftermarket intake usually makes an engine "breathe" better. This makes more power, thus uses more fuel. Now on some vehicles, like ours, the ECM can adjust for this new airflow efficiency and adjust the fuel curve accordingly. Extra MPG can only be realized at prolonged highway travel where engine speed is near constant.

One thing that is on the side of piggyback controllers is the ability to "de-tune" any parameter. Scaling back sensor inputs can bring a slightly modded car back into specs. Talk to your tuner about building an "emissions" map. Of course, highly modified engines with big injectors would near impossible to do this safely. Just cutting fuel won't do.

Here are my recommendations for those living stringent emission standards. They may or not work for each individual situation:

1. Always retain OEM parts.
2. Never alter or modify your vehicle to the point that you cannot take it back to stock.
3. Install some form of air/fuel controller. Have a separate map tuned for emissions output.
4. Instead of up sizing your injectors, consider running secondary injectors. The "emissions" map can deactivate the secondaries. This will not be needed as your car is checked at a constant speed at idle and between 2-4K RPM (depending on the test equipment).
5. Get a pocket code scanner that can clear DTC's. Just aas you are pulling in the parking lot of the testing facility, clear all codes (including pending codes). Do not turn off your car, leave it running. Toyota ECM's employ 2 trip logic detection. Unless you have a hard fault (catastrophic), this means no MIL as the 2 trip logic function will not be fulfilled. One issue that will cause a fail is if they scan for pending codes. These will not cause a MIL to illuminate. If the tester does not shut-off your car, chances are there will be no pending codes.
6. There are some fuel additives on the market that claim the ability to help older cars with failing emissions equipment pass inspections. As I cannot attest to these products from empirical data, there does lie the possibility to chemically alter NoX and Hydrocarbon emissions from a fuel additive. Of course, each car's emission is unique based on good working order and age of components. Also, the blend of gas that you are running could change the effectiveness of this product.
7. Ethanol blended gas may or may not be available in your area. Ethanol is considered an oxygenate as it combines with O2 to form CO2+water+heat. C2H6O + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O + heat. This Wiki Article provides a great viewpoint to understanding this. Ethanol fuel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
8. In some states, not all counties fall within the stringent emission standards. Consider "moving" to a family or friend's house to become a "resident" of that area. That means you will have to move your vehicle registration to that county.
9. You could build yourself a doppleganger car. If they don't check VIN then you could just swap the plates, get your sticker, then transfer it over to your hot rod. D:

[Mengsta]

hmm a dopleganger car? LOL nvr thought of that one. Seems like it should work.

[navylife59]

That is only if they don't check VIN's. If they do then you are toast.

[Soulbane]

Toast for sure.

The biggest problem, and advantage, for California is just the population.

Being apart of the Evo and Scooby club for so long, everyone's willing to take the risk for their mods, however, the best shot, as always is simply not get caught, or have a daily driver.

Mengsta to your question, why would I get a turbo with stringent smog laws? Here's the way it works:

If I need to smog, for renewal or title change, I can go to any SMOG check/test station and get it checked out. We have an automotive friend who passes buddies in smog.

Now in Orange County, California, if you get a fix it ticket for a smog violation, or you get pulled over and they deem you need to smog, then the SHERIFF'S Department Smogs your vehicle.

That's the way it works down here.

It's a risk, but I think the point of this thread is support more, sleeper style modifications.

Not necessarily "legal"