More "CARB" BS from CA fed's

cae93 · 07-15-2021, 02:14 PM

So it seems from various reports on the web that CA is just about to start including a check on "non CARB compliant" ECU tunes as part of the smog check.

This seems like a BS move, if the tune doesn't cause an increase in emissions (which they are supposed to be checking) then why would it be a problem?

Anyway, does anyone know how they will detect this, and if there is a way to mask the fact that non factory software mods are made?

jp1984 · 07-15-2021, 02:41 PM

i think i only heard you have to "hot swap" back to oem tune.

they will decline you for any non oem tune, so you HAVE to revert for an approval.

Longboarder · 07-15-2021, 03:15 PM

I failed in 2020 for a stock car except stage 1 tune. "O2 Readiness" isnt enabled on any of the stg1 tunes from what I understand. So this has been an issue for a while.

youngtimer55 · 07-16-2021, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longboarder

I failed in 2020 for a stock car except stage 1 tune. "O2 Readiness" isnt enabled on any of the stg1 tunes from what I understand. So this has been an issue for a while.

^This. Smog checks for OBDII cars are just O2 readiness tests, and possibly visual if you're unlucky. So best to play it safe and have your stock file saved somewhere so you can reflash when the time comes around.

aus · 07-18-2021, 04:13 AM

I and a friend have Evolve tune and both passed the last couple months with installing the stock X-pipe, but the new checks will be effective this month.
No idea if Evolve will pass future checks.
.

Scharbag · 07-18-2021, 09:16 AM

Pretty easy to revert back to a stick tune for CARB testing. Not sure if why people are making a big deal about this.

SCREAM3R · 07-18-2021, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scharbag

Pretty easy to revert back to a stick tune for CARB testing. Not sure if why people are making a big deal about this.

Honestly I feel like I am missing something. I already swap to the stock tune for smog anyways. Relative to swapping exhaust the tune is cake.

Jerezblack.m3 · 07-18-2021, 04:55 PM

And it only takes about 5 mins to switch back to stock. But i have a question, do we still need to drive the car certain amount of miles or cycles for it to be “smog ready”?

nrubenstein · 07-18-2021, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerezblack.m3

And it only takes about 5 mins to switch back to stock. But i have a question, do we still need to drive the car certain amount of miles or cycles for it to be “smog ready”?

Yes. You have to drive cycle the car.

Jerezblack.m3 · 07-18-2021, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrubenstein

Yes. You have to drive cycle the car.

You know the process? I need to smog in 2 weeks and i just switched back to stock yesterday. I barely drive the car.

youngtimer55 · 07-18-2021, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerezblack.m3

You know the process? I need to smog in 2 weeks and i just switched back to stock yesterday. I barely drive the car.

Put about 50 miles on the car until the check engine light goes away. Once that happens, you should be good to go

Hoost · 07-18-2021, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerezblack.m3

You know the process? I need to smog in 2 weeks and i just switched back to stock yesterday. I barely drive the car.

This worked for me.

roastbeef · 07-18-2021, 10:53 PM

i didn't have to to any of that drive cycle. i just drove it to work and back for about three days and it showed ready. normal commute driving will do it in about 100 miles. just can't take it to 8k or something.

Melbourn3 · 07-19-2021, 01:26 AM

I passed ca smog with an evolve xpipe and a tune back in September 2020. No CEL or anything, guy was surprised too. This on the other hand is a huge high kill for most car enthusiasts.

duk · 07-19-2021, 10:33 AM

OBD readiness is the sticky part

oem tune is needed

PandaM3 · 07-20-2021, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roastbeef

i didn't have to to any of that drive cycle. i just drove it to work and back for about three days and it showed ready. normal commute driving will do it in about 100 miles. just can't take it to 8k or something.

3 days without taking it to 8k rpm is torture!!!

dpaul · 07-21-2021, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cae93

So it seems from various reports on the web that CA is just about to start including a check on "non CARB compliant" ECU tunes as part of the smog check.

This seems like a BS move, if the tune doesn't cause an increase in emissions (which they are supposed to be checking) then why would it be a problem?

Anyway, does anyone know how they will detect this, and if there is a way to mask the fact that non factory software mods are made?

My guess is that they will start checking the $CVN - calibration verification number - which is written to the DME when flashed. This is a checksum unique to each software revision and is available using a standard OBDII call via Mode $09. You can read this number with many simple scanners ( "Vehicle Information").

The inspection station with read the $CalID, compare it with a list of $CVN from the manufacturer and if they don't match, you fail.

There is no reason why a tuner or anyone with @Terraphantm's free MSS60 flasher could not set the $CVN to whatever they wished. It is not necessary to know what methodology was used to produce the checksum, you can read it directly from the 0da file for your vehicle (the calibration or 'tune' file used by WinKFP). These files are widely available in the 'datens' which BMW has released (or allowed to be stolen).

If you're interested, you can find the $CVN at the end of the 0da file (these are bin-hex files i.e. you can read them as a text file)

07-15-2021, 02:14 PM	#1
cae93 Second Lieutenant 257 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 2013 E93 M3 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Morgan Hill, CA iTrader: (0)	More "CARB" BS from CA fed's So it seems from various reports on the web that CA is just about to start including a check on "non CARB compliant" ECU tunes as part of the smog check. This seems like a BS move, if the tune doesn't cause an increase in emissions (which they are supposed to be checking) then why would it be a problem? Anyway, does anyone know how they will detect this, and if there is a way to mask the fact that non factory software mods are made? __________________ 2013 E93 DCT, Jerez Black "OEM+" : M359's, MPE V2, AFE filter, Stage 1 Alpine, Auto Tecknic paddles, Pedal Haus, PS4's, Smart Top, Mporium undertray, "VRS" style lip, occasionally RW carbon diffuser
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07-15-2021, 02:41 PM	#2
jp1984 Lieutenant 506 Rep 550 Posts Drives: an E92 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: under the hood again iTrader: (0)	i think i only heard you have to "hot swap" back to oem tune. they will decline you for any non oem tune, so you HAVE to revert for an approval.
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07-15-2021, 03:15 PM	#3
Longboarder Major General 3427 Rep 6,769 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW i8 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Monarch Beach iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW e92 M3 [0.00] 2021 BMW X5M [10.00] 2015 Porsche 991 Tu ... [10.00] 2015 Porsche 991 GT3 [10.00]	I failed in 2020 for a stock car except stage 1 tune. "O2 Readiness" isnt enabled on any of the stg1 tunes from what I understand. So this has been an issue for a while. __________________ Current BMWs: 2022 X5 40i, 2016 X5 50i 2015 Porsche 991 Turbo S 1979 Porsche 911 Turbo a couple others IG: longboarder949; YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT1...eoFBszPIK0gf9w
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07-18-2021, 04:13 AM	#5
aus Major General 890 Rep 9,031 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	I and a friend have Evolve tune and both passed the last couple months with installing the stock X-pipe, but the new checks will be effective this month. No idea if Evolve will pass future checks. . __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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07-18-2021, 09:16 AM	#6
Scharbag Colonel 2619 Rep 2,138 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Victoria iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW E92 M3 [0.00]	Pretty easy to revert back to a stick tune for CARB testing. Not sure if why people are making a big deal about this. __________________ 2011 E92 M3 - 6MT, ZCP, ZF LSD, ESS G1, Some other goodies...
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07-18-2021, 04:55 PM	#8
Jerezblack.m3 First Lieutenant 149 Rep 307 Posts Drives: BMW E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (4)	And it only takes about 5 mins to switch back to stock. But i have a question, do we still need to drive the car certain amount of miles or cycles for it to be “smog ready”?
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07-18-2021, 10:53 PM	#13
roastbeef Lieutenant General 11582 Rep 12,722 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	i didn't have to to any of that drive cycle. i just drove it to work and back for about three days and it showed ready. normal commute driving will do it in about 100 miles. just can't take it to 8k or something. __________________ Instagram; @roastbeefmike
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07-19-2021, 01:26 AM	#14
Melbourn3 First Lieutenant 342 Rep 387 Posts Drives: E90 M3 ZCP STRIPPER Join Date: May 2020 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3)	I passed ca smog with an evolve xpipe and a tune back in September 2020. No CEL or anything, guy was surprised too. This on the other hand is a huge high kill for most car enthusiasts.
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07-19-2021, 10:33 AM	#15
duk ///M 158 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 AW/FR 6MT E92 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	OBD readiness is the sticky part oem tune is needed __________________ 2011.5 AW/FR E92 M3 6MT
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