Failed smog :(

[kvvikdrawmcgraw]

was 25 hc over on the 2500 rpm and failed visual cause I had a spectre cone filter (not my 1st choice). Ran around today, got some new spark plugs, some of that guaranteed to pass fuel additive, and been looking for a CARB approved cone filter, havent found one yet, anyone know of any? Or any other ways of lowering hcs?

*EDIT* O'reilly's gave me Autolite 64? Copper core? Didnt think twice about it and walked out. Got home and looked at them, dawned on me that it probably wasnt the smartest buy. Whats a good spark plug for m20s?

[TurboJake]

There is only one CARB approved cone filter. The HKS racing suction, but only when it's sold as a system. What you need is a CARB approved induction system such as stock, stock with a K&N Filter, or a K&N FIPK.

What you CAN do is buy a FIPK, grab the sticker out of it, and use that with your filter and hope they don't notice. But that's shifty.

And copper core plugs are fine.

[kvvikdrawmcgraw]

I dont understand... Am I right in understanding the only way to not have a stock airbox is to get a FIPK kit and use the sticker with a k&n filter?

[jlevie]

Since there is no advantage of a cone filter (and possible disadvantages) over the stock airbox and a fresh filter, go to a salvage yard and get those parts. If the engine is an M20B25 the best plugs would be NGK ZGR5A plugs.

But plugs alone are unlikely to solve the emissions failure. Replace the plugs, ignition wires, distributor cap and rotor, adjust the valves, and if of unknown age or if it has more than 100k replace the O2 sensor. Have a smoke test run and fix the leaks it turns up and then see if the car will pass. If it fails again for high HC and NOx is also high, replace the catalytic converters.

[TurboJake]

I dont understand... Am I right in understanding the only way to not have a stock airbox is to get a FIPK kit and use the sticker with a k&n filter?

The stock filter box K&N filter comes with a CARB sticker IIRC.

But, if you want to use a filter on the end of your AFM, you can pick up a stock airbox K&N, or a FIPK kit, and just use the sticker.

But that's shifty, and if they check the BAR number they'll probably notice if you use some random FIPK kit.

[kvvikdrawmcgraw]

The closest salvage yard to me would be too far id imagine. Might have to order one or find someone local and borrow it. I had asked the smog tech about my cat cause i had been smelling sulfur after drives, he had said there wasnt a problem. Would I really need plugs, wires, cap & rotor, valve adjust, O2 sensor and a smoke test just to pass? Seems a tad overkill for only 25 over. I do need a valve adjustment though, been hearing them clicking

[MoreMayhem]

A quick Google search turned up a place called Mission Auto Wrecking in Goleta.

As for valves, you may still hear clicking after adjusting. Many do.

When I got my E30, it too failed CA smog by a small margin on the 2500rpm HC. After doing everything on that list, except the smoke test, it still failed. Solution for me was a new cat.

[kvvikdrawmcgraw]

lets hope it doesn't come down to a new cat. Mission auto wrecking must have slipped my mind, thanks MoreMayhem.

[Cha Ching]

I had asked the smog tech about my cat cause i had been smelling sulfur after drives, he had said there wasnt a problem. Would I really need plugs, wires, cap & rotor, valve adjust, O2 sensor and a smoke test just to pass? Seems a tad overkill for only 25 over. I do need a valve adjustment though, been hearing them clicking

From my own experiences failing smog, most of your problems will be cured by a good tune, new catalytic and 02 sensor. Sorry to say the dreaded "c" word, but your car probably needs it after 20+ years.

Shop around, I had my new, CA-approved cat installed for $250.

[MoreMayhem]

$250 is a great price. I didn't shop around enough! I paid a bit over $400, and did the install myself.