Smoggg Issues, Dammit California

[davidayeee]

Purchased an E30 a couple of days ago and like it so far :ohsnap:
Its a 91 318iS.

Car didn't pass the 15 mph smog test but the 25mph test passed very closely.
Here are the results:

15 MPH - HC (PPM): Max: 124 , GP: 298, MEAS: 271
CO (%) : MAX: 0.78, GP: 2.28, MEAS: 0.71
NO (PPM): Max: 815, GP: 2026, MEAS: 2494

25 MPH - HC (PPM): Max: 98 , GP: 248, MEAS: 92
CO (%) : MAX: 0.66, GP: 2.16, MEAS: 0.25
NO (PPM): Max: 754, GP: 1826, MEAS:716

Looks like the catalytic converter was previously replaced with a not so good one. The guy that did the smog inspection said the same thing, that it looked crapy. So i guess I'm going to replace it.

The car doesn't puff out smoke, no gas smell, perfect idle.

Would there be anything else I should replace to pass smog in CA, or would replacing the catalytic converter solve my issue.

What type of cat converter do you CA guys have/would recommend.

Would this be an easy DIY job or should i get it done at a shop.

Still looking for an E30/bmw shop in the OC area. If you guys know some good places, let me know :D

Thanks R3v

[funcrew]

1. Find a friend with a turbo E30.
2. Go to the same smog guy they go to.
3. Tip the smog guy appropriately for how bad of an offender you are.
4. Wait a year.
5. Repeat step 2 and following.

or

6. Move to Nevada and get Classic Rod plates.

[KIRIEIW]

If I'm not mistaken, its California law that every car has a stock catalytic converter. One of the main things I looked for when buying a car was if it had a stock cat. Find someone parting out a car locally, you can get one for about $100-$200 on Craigslist. I sold my spare "e" OEM cat for $75. Make sure to ask them for smog paper work to see if the parts car passed recently!

[wilholl]

If I'm not mistaken, its California law that every car has a stock catalytic converter. One of the main things I looked for when buying a car was if it had a stock cat. Find someone parting out a car locally, you can get one for about $100-$200 on Craigslist. I sold my spare "e" OEM cat for $75. Make sure to ask them for smog paper work to see if the parts car passed recently!

California law is that the catalytic convertor has to be a CARB approved convertor! It does not have to be OEM or stock. Just specific approval for installation on the vehicle for use in the great and wonderful state of California!

[36brua]

what he said ^^

[KIRIEIW]

ahh, ok. I've heard stories of smog testers not passing the "visual test" because it wasn't stock. Either way CA sucks for smog! GL OP

[rommaster2]

You should also double check for any vacuum leaks. Air that is not metered by the VAM can cause the engine to run lean increasing combustion temperatures (higher nox) and can also cause a lean miss which would increase HC. Either way though with those numbers that close I would suspect just the cat will make it pass.

[davidayeee]

Any recommendations on what type of converter to put in this bad boy.
OEM one is too expensive sooooo I guess that isn't happening. Saw some magna flows for cheaper. Just wondering if anyone has any advice on what to put in

[Liquidity]

I don't know how you guys do it out there in cali. It's hard enough here in ny. My goal is to move to florida where I don't have to deal with any of this.

[nando]

yeah, fuck smog laws. this shit is way better:

[mr.vang]

Go to any muffler shop and they can get an approved aftermarket cat weld in for you for around $200. They can not sell you any non approved CA cat. Most likely it's the cat if everything is fuctioning as it should.