aftermarket cams

[Doug Waschenko]

Does anyone know if reprograming the processor for new performance cams will clean up the emissions enough to pass?
Is it better to have a TEST ONLY processor and an everday except test processor?

 

[luigisho]

Doug I don't have the specific answer to your question. However, if you find this indeed will work, Diablo chips have a 2 and I think 3 program chip. A little switch on the chip itself so you can change it at will. I believe the guys at http://www.fordchip.com use these for custom programming.

 

[Yamaha V6]

Doug, you asked this during the last thread. Call SHO Shop, (714) 894-8415, and ASK TOM, the guy who sells the majority of aftermarket cams to us. He may not be able to give you a specific answer. However, with Beth getting Stage 1's in the next few weeks, and Hayden alreayd having Stage 2's perhaps you could have Tom burn a chip for whichever cam profile you were interested in, and send it to either of those two, to do emissions testing on their cars. I'm sure if you paid for the tests, they'd get you an answer on what these cars run.

Again, most people putting "OFF-ROAD USE ONLY" parts on their cars either a) don't expect to or need their car to pass emissions, b) make arrangements to "get" a sticker or c) plan on stripping the car back down to stock to pass (like I'm doing now with my supercharged setup.

I have never heard of anyone other than yourself even asking about the issue in the past 3 years of being online with the SHO, so I'd hazard a guess you're one of if not the first to ask.

A suggestion: contact the chip burners (like Superchip, Diablo, SHO Shop, Ted B, Sean Hyland, etc.) & see if anyone's requested an "emissions passing" chip for the SHO.

I'm fairly certain that you're not going to get a definitive answer on this subject. The horse may not be dead, but it's coughing up blood.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Doug, as I suggested in your since-deleted earlier thread, if you're primary concern with engine mods is going to be increased emissions, I suspect you are going to be disappointed by most if not all of the engine mods available. Heck, just the additional intake mods needed to take full advantage of the cams (like a larger MAF, P&P/EH runners, BBB's, etc.) would probably effect the emissions enough to prevent passing, even before the cams are installed.

There are a number of ways to manipulate emissions to pass most states' tests, but the most important factor again is going to be a well-maintained engine along with a fully operating emissions control system. If you were to buy an LPM from Ted B., you could send it back to him prior to your emissions test for reprogramming and request that he adjust it for maximum reduction in emissions (which I only suspect he'd be able to to -- I don't recall anyone ever mentioning that they'd asked him to do it), and then have it reset back to the performance programming once you've passed the test (Ted reprograms for free). If your car is otherwise well maintained, you might be able to squeak by with the SHO Shop cams without doing anything, or you might find that removing the SPOUT shunt (which defaults the timing to 10 deg. BTDC) accomplishes what you need.

Of course you could just wait until after your next emissions test before making the mods (or get the test done early), then you wouldn't have to worry about it for another year. Worst-case scenario, you could implement your own yearly maintenance cycle which would entail returning the motor to stock configuration for the emissions test, then re-mod the engine after passing. At least you'd have the peace-of-mind that your engine was always in top condition.

 

[Doug Waschenko]

Thanks guys I do appreciate your kind input.
I am kinda surprised about the genersl response including from the manufacturers.
It is certainly significantly different then the aditude one will find with a street 5.0 Mustang and the "legal" approach that Ford Motorsports has taken with thier performance parts.
I would have thought that because of the nature of a Taurus no one was seriously considering racing the car but apparently what do I know? I thought that the attraction to it was that it was a super street sleeper and anything that enhanced that was better.
I got more bad news today from the NY DMV, they will again lower the acceptable emissions level for next year for all vehicles.
The car might have difficulty getting through box stock.
Generally speaking the NOX has been the difficult nuber to obtain since there is nothing to adjust with an EGR valve, it either works or it doesn't.
Knowing the natural nature of hot rodders I do find it very hard to believe that there is no one who has a legal Stage II Califonia car.
I think that at this point I have to tip my hat to the Ford engineers who set up the package.
Apparently the window of performance for any vehicle is a very narrow one and all things considered they put the car right on target.

 

[rangerj]

Doug,

If you think things are bad now there are a few things being proposed by the U.S Congress, and several State Congresses.

1. When an old Car is junked it should be destroyed within a short time. One proposal wants to define an old car as any car 10 years old or older. "A sholt time" would be defined as 30 days.

2. They want the "chips" made "tamper proof", by soldering them in and sealing the case.

3. They want any professional mechanic to report any evidence they find of "tampering", such as the removal of the cats, or gutting of the cats, etc. Tampering is the addition or removal of any part that is not OEM, or does not have an exemption certificate from the EPA.

4. They want to increase the fines and prison term for "tampering".

To date the prosecution for tampering has been limited to professional mechanics. But, if "the law" requires professional mechanics to "turn in a tamperer", then it is possible that individual owners who tamper with their vehicles could, and would, be prosecuted.

Keep in mind that none of this applies to off road use, yet!
And, it is only going to get worse. rangerj

 

[Doug Waschenko]

Hum, of road use? Do you mean I shouldn't drive on the black?

 

[shojuan]

Boy I can't wait for April Fools day to end.

rangerj:
Doug,

If you think things are bad now there are a few things being proposed by the U.S Congress, and several State Congresses.

1. When an old Car is junked it should be destroyed within a short time. One proposal wants to define an old car as any car 10 years old or older. "A sholt time" would be defined as 30 days.

2. They want the "chips" made "tamper proof", by soldering them in and sealing the case.

3. They want any professional mechanic to report any evidence they find of "tampering", such as the removal of the cats, or gutting of the cats, etc. Tampering is the addition or removal of any part that is not OEM, or does not have an exemption certificate from the EPA.

4. They want to increase the fines and prison term for "tampering".

To date the prosecution for tampering has been limited to professional mechanics. But, if "the law" requires professional mechanics to "turn in a tamperer", then it is possible that individual owners who tamper with their vehicles could, and would, be prosecuted.

Keep in mind that none of this applies to off road use, yet!
And, it is only going to get worse. rangerj

 

[rangerj]

SHOJAUN,

I wish it was a joke. rangerj