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Getting a simple tuner and tune is the best value for the money. Search tuner in these forums, there are lots of reviews.
Its a rabbit hole... the bang for the buck, get a SCT tuner, and look for Unleashed, AJP Turbo, Gearhead and many others, stay away from Livernois. The rabbit hole is the addiction of adding more and more performance parts, however having a stock setup, there is more to gain from adjusting the cars performance.
The "best" one: https://www.ecopowerparts.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=159
You have questions.....Here are some answers.
shoforum.com
Hi, I'm wondering which of the upgrade items will work in CA for my 2015 PP Deep Impact Blue SHO for smog purposes. I'm adding a 2018 PP Burgundy Velv. soon as well as 2013 PP Gem Green Met. I can get past smog test on the magnaflow with cats but not sure on the rest to pass smog. I gather I can reset to factory from the SCT tune once they all go in for a smog tests? I'm looking to add about 100+HP to all my Gen 4s.
I guess my main concern is smog for appearances. Here in CA, as I'm sure some other states now too, just seeing something visually that's not stock can get you a failed smog test. The guy I use for smog will pass my SHO's for any exhaust that's aftermarket as long as I have cats on them! If the tune doesn't matter I think it'll be ok. I just re-tune them back to factory spec for smog & re-tune again after I get home for my HP gains! I may have to ask a person who owns a SHO in CA what they do for smog if they gave upgrades that may visually fail a smog test, if there are any.
Mufflers are not a regulated item, getting away from a baffled muffler system like corsa or any cat back exhaust will not fail you. Backpressure is a killer to the turbo performance. I can tell you this - my car IS MUCH more responsive without any true restrictions. how many horses - I dont care about. That's a kids game - but not allowing the engine in turbo or supercharged engines breath reduce performance. Replacing your cats wont fail you unless you fail the test after replacing them. On our car there is a 3rd cat attached to the resonator. replacing that by cutting it out might fail you. manufacturers do that to MAKE sure the car will pass smog - HOWEVER - the third cat is NOT monitored by the car, thus can be removed if you wish to roll the dice.
California is a whole different ball game. They have much stricter laws. For exhaust, 95 dbA is the maximum limit. Deleting components like resonators or third cat, or replacing cats or mufflers with high flow components may push you over that limit. They also have smog checks. First they get a visual inspection of all emissions equipment (third cat delete is a no-no). Then they get a tailpipe test. When they plug into the car, it must be running factory software or a CARB approved ECU tune. They check the Calibration ID (CalID) and Calibration Verification Number (CVN). All of your modifications that involve emissions have to have a CARB EO #. So if you put an intake on, it has to be tested and certified. Tuner, same. Exhaust/Cats, same. They are getting worse every year. They are banning small gas engines after 2024, all cars, SUVs, and pickups have to be zero emission after 2035, and all large diesel truck sales will be banned in 2036 with existing trucks having to be zero emissions by 2042.
Well well yeah - for that reason alone I am glad I am not in CA - not a stupid political ideology, I LOVE CA, especially northern CA - I already live in S FLA for 25+ years and tired of palm trees and hot days. The benefit of no inspections here in FL - I have to say makes me smile. @Ta2dResqr thanks for assisting in answering this. BTW was missing your forum inactivity too, just assumed bogged down with work.
