M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine management => Topic started by: 91 e30m42 on August 23, 2011, 04:39:38 PM

Title: car needs to be smog any info please??
Post by: 91 e30m42 on August 23, 2011, 04:39:38 PM

yes im due for a smog check in California its the 2nd yrs since the last one (renew Reg.) ... last time it passed with flying colors with all the mods( plug wires,carbon intake and k&n filter, and exhaust) except for the chip was stock ... my question is will it pass with my Mark D 91 octane chip or would i have to put it back to stock chip

Title: car needs to be smog any info please??
Post by: wazzu70 on August 23, 2011, 04:49:39 PM

I dont see why the chip would make much difference. Its generally just ignition advance and shouldn't be a problem in the tested areas.

Any penalty for trying and failing? If not I would just give it a try.

I don't know how CA tests emissions but it is pretty strict here in Seattle and I passed with a decent amount of mods, mark d chip, and about 2/3 of the emission equipment removed. Wasn't even close to failing in any category.

Title: car needs to be smog any info please??
Post by: 91 e30m42 on August 23, 2011, 05:11:24 PM

s far as i know we are the strictest smog state i have a friend that was all stock 2005 bmw and couldnt pass smog... i passed because i had a brand new rebuilt motor with every line and hose replaced,old parts to new  including drive train the only old thing is my icv which i think is going bad but i was gonna do it and see but i just wanted some others input on if it can pass or not... thanks Nick for your input

Title: car needs to be smog any info please??
Post by: bmwman91 on September 17, 2011, 02:17:57 AM

I assume you finished the SMOG test by now. Basically, as long as you do not have huge vacuum leaks, your O2 sensor is functioning properly and there's a marginally functional catalytic converter installed, you should pass.

I had failed once in the past, but I had vacuum leaks, an improperly installed wide-band O2 sensor and a mostly dead catalytic converter (from the first 2 items pushing raw gas into it). A new cat, even with the other problems, made me pass with flying colors (and then the cat was dead again in 2 years...bit I fixed everything before replacing it).

Title: car needs to be smog any info please??
Post by: ryanjv on September 18, 2011, 04:56:47 PM

if you're that worried, why not just put the stock chip back in test it then put it back

Title: car needs to be smog any info please??
Post by: 91 e30m42 on September 19, 2011, 04:16:06 PM

i would if i could but i dont know how the stock chip would react with my MM motor... wither way im going today to get it smogged if i fail i get a free retest anyways so it wouldnt hurt

Title: car needs to be smog any info please??
Post by: bmwman91 on September 20, 2011, 03:07:36 AM

You should be fine with the chip. The only maps that really get adjusted are the full-throttle ones. In closed-loop operation, with a working O2 sensor, you are fine.

Title: car needs to be smog any info please??
Post by: 91 e30m42 on September 20, 2011, 12:29:29 PM

thanks bmwman im sure it will pass the motor has low miles on it and every hose is brand new, and so is every sensor just a modified chip is concern but hey trial and error right and theres always the state referee... i have an appointment today after work so ill seee how it goes

Title: car needs to be smog any info please??
Post by: 91 e30m42 on September 23, 2011, 11:30:38 AM

car passes no problem he did say i may need to change my cat soon any suggestions