I have a 2004 RX-8, not originally from California. I'm moving there in a month or so, and need to know if I'm going to have issues passing emissions when I get there? Any one have issues with this?

 

make sure you have your stock cat on!

 

Don't worry the state is to broke to enforce emissions. A little info might help? Is your car stock?

 

I've heard talk of a special cat just for California.

 

And yes it is stock.

 

there is no special CAT.

but I believe the firmware is different.

and for the "the state is too broke to do anything", I dont think so. yea the state is so broke thats true, thats why they wanna ticket every single car they can find ... just like what that ****** Bloomberg doing to NYC people.

 

+1 on NYCGPS's comments.

If the car has over 7500 miles and the emmission's label doesn't show California compliance, you will have to have it tested at a referee station before you can register it. After that it's a reinspection every 2 years based on your VIN (odd or even).

 

California = THE STRICTEST emissions laws in the Country.
Who says Communism is dead???

 

ive been running catless for a couple of months now

 

I'd take it to a CA Mazda dealer and make sure it's up-to-date with all updates. There was an emissions recall awhile back, iirc, that was required for registration -- meaning you had to have the documentation that it was performed.

It it's mechanically sound and no major mods, I wouldn't think you'd have a problem.

Hey, it's not as insane as it was when I moved here with my 1990 Miata, in '92. I had to pay $300 "smog abatement fee" (on top of the already-expensive registration) simply because it didn't have a "California Sticker". No matter that the Miata was mechanically identical in all 50 states and tested just fine. About 9 years later, the courts finally decided that little bit of extortion was unconstitutional and I got my money back plus interest!

 

Hey, at least you got your money back. it ONLY took 19 years ~~

 

that would never happen today... CA is out of money so if you overpay THEM, you'll NEVER get it back.

seriously...

 

Also check if your car is 50 state emissions legal. Back in 1995 I registered a bone stock 1991 Prelude that was originally purchased in Oregon that was not 50 state legal. I forget what I had to do to get it registered but I remember it costing me money.

 

Dont worry, NY state is getting close.

You're NOT alone

there is a spot in downtown manhattan that I pass by almost everyday, there are "2" dedicated NYPD Traffic "********" there from 8am to 5pm monday thru saturday. what are they doing there ? they always hide behind the corner so they can give people a ticket. How ?

That block is really short with weird traffic light signal, so very often the last car will be somewhere in the intersection. if your *** is in the white box, they gonna walk out and "beep/scan" your registration first, BAM !! ticket + 2 points.

yea sure they blocked it, but I really hate these shady ****. Im about to put a sign up there that saids "LOOK TO YOUR RIGHT, there are NYPD TRAFFIC WATCHING YOU! DO NOT stay in the BOX !!!! NYC WANTS YOUR MONEY!"

 

sometimes I really LOVE living in LA....Lower Alabama...

:D

 

Ok....to the OP,

I've just had a whole fiasco with a "modified emissions" ticket here in California. That's what I get for running a standalone EMS (MSPNP), Individual Throttle Bodies (RS Aizawa), Port & Polished Head, Integral Stage 2 Cams, 11.0:1 Wiseco Pistons, Mazda Comp Test Pipe, and a RSR Exmag GTII exhaust (quite possibly one of the loudest exhausts available for a Miata).

The catalytic converter change DID take effect as of February 2009 I believe. This means you can't go out and buy a regular OTS cat anymore. Muffler shops here in Cali don't even sell them anymore. You HAVE to purchase a California-spec catalytic converter (3 stage cat = more expensive).

Although a regular smog station is not going to check the serial numbers (which designate if they are for California or not), if you get busted by Police for running illegal modifications on a car - the smog referee WILL check the serial numbers.

A generic catalytic converter from Magnaflow was about $100 (OBD I and 49 state legal). The same California-legal catalytic converter was almost $200.

If you're moving from a different state and have all your OEM parts with no alterations to the cat and other emissions-related parts....I wouldn't worry.

If you have modifications such as an intake (that is not CARB approved), just be careful! Our cops here are a bit strict and they'll bust you for an intake or even an exhaust out here.

 

Also.....

My experience was with a OBD I cat for my Miata (1993). OBD II cats are VERY expensive and ones for the RX8 reach the $1000 range.

 

the easiest way to avoid getting busted for emission laws in CA. is this....





















































keep it stock

 

^yes!...or just get it tested stock then on your way home from the testing facitlty stop get a case of beer and change it all back to "not so stock" haha

 

Hello everyone.

Sorry for my ignorance, I really need help. I was confused if the magnaflow catalytic converter is pretty good?and also where to buy? I do some searched, inguiry and I tried it here Magnaflow Catalytic Converter . Anyone tried it here.? Any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.

 

Lawl! I've been cat less for 2 weeks now today on the way to school I passed 4 cop cars in 2 blocks. every single one of them looked at me and I didn't get pulled over. Cops are busting down tho. Cali sucks but you've got to play it cool and know when to have fun at the right time and not get caught.

 

haha luckily for us we have clean running cars. as long as ur car is stock it will pass. if you decide to do ANYTHING aftermarket to the engine make sure it is "CARB" legal which is saying its CA legal with emissions.

 

I.O.U.

Signed,

Arnie