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Old 09-04-2020, 04:00 PM   #1
scoobynub650
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Default Pro Tuned getting flagged by Star smog in Cali?

Has anyone recently passed Star Smog in California that's pro tuned? Heard a rumor they can flag you for having a tune and have you go to the state ref. I'm tuned by GST in hayward and used a Cobb AP and I just passed mine after I went back to stock to pass visuals but I kept my pro tune by the way....Is this information reliable or is this something to worry about in the future?
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Old 09-04-2020, 04:28 PM   #2
drewbuah
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It was discussed a bit on this post
https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/sho....php?t=2899865
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Old 09-04-2020, 06:48 PM   #3
NutBucket
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I think there are still too many variables to say for certain what will or will not get flagged.
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Old 09-05-2020, 06:00 PM   #4
subaru_gc8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scoobynub650 View Post
Has anyone recently passed Star Smog in California that's pro tuned? Heard a rumor they can flag you for having a tune and have you go to the state ref. I'm tuned by GST in hayward and used a Cobb AP and I just passed mine after I went back to stock to pass visuals but I kept my pro tune by the way....Is this information reliable or is this something to worry about in the future?
So no body really know how they are getting caught, but I will tell you what a few of my friends are saying. They can tell if you have a tune or not. if you think that when you get a smog test that it only checks things you are wrong. there is about 20 pages of info that is taken off your ecu when it is plugged in for a smog test. is it something to worry about? that is really up to you but ill tell you it is getting harder and harder to get passed the checks and once you get red flagged, its almost like that car will always have a mark against it.

I would go befreind a smog tech guy and just talk with him to see what he says. the state is really getting creative on how they are catching shops what I would do is get a pre obd2 car and put all my stuff in it. that way there is no way for them to tell cause it doesnt plug into your obd2 port
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Old 09-06-2020, 11:57 AM   #5
OUScooby
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Quote:
Originally Posted by subaru_gc8 View Post
So no body really know how they are getting caught, but I will tell you what a few of my friends are saying. They can tell if you have a tune or not. if you think that when you get a smog test that it only checks things you are wrong. there is about 20 pages of info that is taken off your ecu when it is plugged in for a smog test. is it something to worry about? that is really up to you but ill tell you it is getting harder and harder to get passed the checks and once you get red flagged, its almost like that car will always have a mark against it.

I would go befreind a smog tech guy and just talk with him to see what he says. the state is really getting creative on how they are catching shops what I would do is get a pre obd2 car and put all my stuff in it. that way there is no way for them to tell cause it doesnt plug into your obd2 port
You may go to take your smog and find out you've already been flagged for the ref based on your last smog test. That's what happened to me in June, I went to smog my car to complete my registration and I didn't even get to take the smog test. As soon as he scanned my registration renewal it popped up on the screen I had been flagged and I can't take a smog test until I'm signed off by the ref. I've had the car registered non op since then.
The state has amassed a database of vehicle ECU data from the manufactures, they know what the information coming from a car of your year make and model should look like. Even though you passed your last smog if there was enough of a deviation between what was coming off your car then and whats in the database you may find you've already been flagged too when you go to do your smog.

As he said above, no one really knows what gets you flagged, some people speculate its forcing readiness of the obdii monitors, other suggested it is having CELs disabled in the tune, still others think it's a higher check sum value on the ecu indicating its been reflashed. Again this is all entirely speculation.
On the chance that you are not already flagged from you last smog check I would address those things in your tune, turn off the forced readiness and makes sure no cels are disabled, and put on your stock downpipe and airbox. If you are not already flagged that may be you best chance of not getting flagged for your next smog in two years.

Good luck.
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Old 09-06-2020, 01:23 PM   #6
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California can’t deliver consistent electricity to its residents, but can plug you car in and snoop on your cars entire history.

I was worried about leaving California but it was the best thing I’ve ever done. Even NY is less constricting of your activities.
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Old 09-06-2020, 06:19 PM   #7
drewbuah
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I had an issue with my Tundra last year with getting star certified only. Because the previous smog(2 years before) the smog tech failed me visually for having a boost/vacuum gauge in my A pillar. It was a TRD part, but since it was attached to a manifold vacuum line, he considered it a modification and failed me. I literally unplugged the vacuum line in the parking lot and capped the line. He then passed me. So fast forward to this past years smog, I got star certified again because I had failed the previous time. So even your previous smog attempts are looked at by the state. I guess if you get flagged for any modifications previously, they want you re-inspected the next time.
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Old 09-06-2020, 07:25 PM   #8
murrdogg24
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man the car scene is dead in CA, the leftist killed it. Enjoy your liberal wonderland....
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Old 09-07-2020, 10:39 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drewbuah View Post
I had an issue with my Tundra last year with getting star certified only. Because the previous smog(2 years before) the smog tech failed me visually for having a boost/vacuum gauge in my A pillar. It was a TRD part, but since it was attached to a manifold vacuum line, he considered it a modification and failed me. I literally unplugged the vacuum line in the parking lot and capped the line. He then passed me. So fast forward to this past years smog, I got star certified again because I had failed the previous time. So even your previous smog attempts are looked at by the state. I guess if you get flagged for any modifications previously, they want you re-inspected the next time.
if the smog tech fails you and you dont feel like you should have been you can call the BAR to tell them and they will go investigate the guy for not doing his job properly
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Old 09-08-2020, 07:24 PM   #10
drewbuah
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It was something trivial that I didnt wish to force an issue on, plus most places offer a free re-test. Since It was just the visual and a quick fix, I didnt really care. He knows Im not coming back, so he looses on repeat business. I also understand what pressure the smog shops are under here in Cali, with all the requirements for specialized equipment, so they really dont want to take a chance on not noting an item that may possibly cause them a fine or there license. So I will just find another shop next year in the area, plenty to choose from.
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Old 09-08-2020, 10:30 PM   #11
subaru_gc8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drewbuah View Post
It was something trivial that I didnt wish to force an issue on, plus most places offer a free re-test. Since It was just the visual and a quick fix, I didnt really care. He knows Im not coming back, so he looses on repeat business. I also understand what pressure the smog shops are under here in Cali, with all the requirements for specialized equipment, so they really dont want to take a chance on not noting an item that may possibly cause them a fine or there license. So I will just find another shop next year in the area, plenty to choose from.
yeah there was a story about an undercover car that was pretty known by the smog techs and one day the state decided to fix the problems and send it back out. So it ended up going to a shop and tech knew that it was a certain undercover car and he decided not to check and sent it away, The BAR ended up coming down on him for not doing his job, lol I thought that was pretty funny
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Old 09-09-2020, 02:25 PM   #12
scoobynub650
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I have TGV deletes and don't have the oem ones, how much are the oem ones new or used? I see a lot of them on ebay with bad sensors. My car throws CEL when I go back to stock because of the TGV deletes
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