How are CA guys passing smog?

[Wh33lhop]

There is a reason I'm going to keep my bay dirty and stock looking for awhile. There's no way I'm going to fit an E34 charcoal canister, airbox and (here's my favorite, as if it matters) retrofit E34 catalysts on my car to pass the BAR.

[surebimmer]

There is a reason I'm going to keep my bay dirty and stock looking for awhile. There's no way I'm going to fit an E34 charcoal canister, airbox and (here's my favorite, as if it matters) retrofit E34 catalysts on my car to pass the BAR.

I used my stock charcoal canister and passed.

[hugh jass]

There is a reason I'm going to keep my bay dirty and stock looking for awhile. There's no way I'm going to fit an E34 charcoal canister, airbox and (here's my favorite, as if it matters) retrofit E34 catalysts on my car to pass the BAR.

you don't need the e34 cats, just cats that are approved for use in CA.
i used my stock charcoal canister, too. and i used a generic $40 k&n cone filter and the referee didn't bat an eye.

[Wh33lhop]

Still, in my case I think it's a bit of a gamble. I've got an M50NV with modified OBD2 manifolds hooked up to a stock (modified to fit) M20 exhaust. If I get some dickhead BAR guys, which I've read some horror stories about, I'll probably get failed for dumb shit that I really can't change.

[SpecM]

He was amazed when I told him that we don't have emissions testing on pre-96 cars in NC.

heck yea, I love it here

pre-OBDII cars, as long as the brakes lights work, the tires hold air, and it has some kind of wipers on it, she passes

[416stroker]

every time i've smogged my e30 (pre- or post-swap) or my e28 m5, the techs will consult their reference material if they are at all unsure about something on the visual inspection. it would take 2 seconds for them to realize that an m50 is not an m20 and pow, you fail.
go ahead and try though, you may get lucky. if you don't, you'll keep paying $40 or $50 a pop until you do.
or, the op can just prepare for the ref process and get through it like the rest of us have. it isn't hard, you just have to be prepared.

you should go vist a beaner shop then they dont care at all.

But HAHA I dont have to smog my car sucks for all you guys:P