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      06-17-2019, 05:31 PM   #1
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Anyone have trouble passing smog with aftermarket midpipes?

I'm thinking about getting the Active Autowerke midpipes but I'd rather not have to hang on to the stock pipes to swap in or have to find a shop that'll look the other way. I know this won't set a code but I'm concerned about passing the visual check. Does anyone have this or other midpipe and what has your smog check experience been?
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      06-17-2019, 05:35 PM   #2
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If OBDII readiness shows Ready/Green without the secondary catalytic converters, then just take your car to a non-STAR certified smog station to have the inspection done.

Although, I believe I read somewhere that having the secondary cats removed will put the car in a Not Ready state... this was shared by someone from PA, which I'm sure is less stringent than CA when it comes to emissions compliance.
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      06-17-2019, 06:01 PM   #3
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AA midpipe removes secondary cats - instant fail on visual.
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      06-17-2019, 08:52 PM   #4
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They do visual check on OBD cars in California?
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      06-17-2019, 09:14 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LOW4LYF View Post
They do visual check on OBD cars in California?
I bought a new out of state M3 CS and because it was from out of state I had to do the smog check and yes they did a visual inspection of everything
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      06-17-2019, 09:29 PM   #6
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All you need to do is find a smog place that isn't "by the books." I have been going to a place that doesn't do visual checks. Best to look for an Asian or Hispanic place.
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      06-18-2019, 12:49 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tom @ eas View Post
AA midpipe removes secondary cats - instant fail on visual.
Why do you hate aa so much again?
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      06-18-2019, 03:02 AM   #8
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I posted on this awhile back.

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1616277

Seems like a lot of mixed answers and experiences. Some places just a roller and throw your car on it and do the smog. I don't know if they can really see your secondary cats if your car is super low unless they have a station that allows them to check visually underneath. They might just look at under the hood for visual to see if all is good.

I also learned that secondary cats don't have any sensors so it shouldn't pop up on the computer. The computer might indicate that the VIN has secondary cats equipped but nothing to show that if its still on the car.
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      06-18-2019, 11:01 AM   #9
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Yeah, it definitely won't set a code or cause readiness issues since it's post O2 sensors so the OBD II check will be fine. I guess I'll just have to watch the next time they smog one of my other cars and see if they look underneath the car or just poke around under the hood. I know they don't put cars on a lift; I'll just have to see if they use a mirror to look for any secondary cats.

I also found out while researching this more last night that it actually won't be even a potential problem for longer than I thought. As of January 1 2019, new cars in California only need their first bi-annual smog check starting 8 years after their model year; they just pay a $20 "smog abatement fee" until then.
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      06-18-2019, 03:46 PM   #10
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I'm going to chime in again just as I did on jooooooiiiiiiiii's thread. Anything behind the primary cats with the 4 o2 sensors will not trigger a cel, nor will you realistically have any smog tech go under your car looking for the absence of cats/resonators.
Think of it this way, is there any possible way for exhaust gases which have already passed the cats to double back around to the o2's and subsequently trip a cel? Absolutely not, and with no sensors out back there is just no way.
Your car will pass with aftermarket midpipes in CA. If you want to test this theory go to a pass or don't pay station and you will find that you pass on the first try.
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      06-19-2019, 01:37 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TacoChris View Post
I'm going to chime in again just as I did on jooooooiiiiiiiii's thread. Anything behind the primary cats with the 4 o2 sensors will not trigger a cel, nor will you realistically have any smog tech go under your car looking for the absence of cats/resonators.
Think of it this way, is there any possible way for exhaust gases which have already passed the cats to double back around to the o2's and subsequently trip a cel? Absolutely not, and with no sensors out back there is just no way.
Your car will pass with aftermarket midpipes in CA. If you want to test this theory go to a pass or don't pay station and you will find that you pass on the first try.
Do you know any in San Jose?
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      06-19-2019, 02:23 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LOW4LYF View Post
Do you know any in San Jose?
My guy Norman is at Union Auto Care in SJ area. He is on the up and up. When I go to him I make sure to put stock intakes on, but he will NOT ever look under my car for any reason.
If you need a less than legit deal its another spot in SJ, and those are $300.
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      06-19-2019, 05:59 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TacoChris View Post
My guy Norman is at Union Auto Care in SJ area. He is on the up and up. When I go to him I make sure to put stock intakes on, but he will NOT ever look under my car for any reason.
If you need a less than legit deal its another spot in SJ, and those are $300.
You shouldn't put people on blast on the forums. They can get in trouble by the BAR.

If you want to recommend a shop, PM them.
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      06-19-2019, 07:48 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MXBlueF80 View Post
I bought a new out of state M3 CS and because it was from out of state I had to do the smog check and yes they did a visual inspection of everything
I'm moving from out of state to California with front mount intakes and mid pipe... wonderful...lol
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      06-20-2019, 12:41 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterF80M3 View Post
You shouldn't put people on blast on the forums. They can get in trouble by the BAR.

If you want to recommend a shop, PM them.

I feel like it is probably protocol to NOT look underneath a vehicle during a smog check. Not throwing anybody under the bus, just what I have noticed over the years smogging probably 15-20 vehicles I have owned. I actually made sure to mention on here that I put stuff in the engine bay back to stock for smog, because it is there that a visual inspection is performed.
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      03-26-2020, 03:02 PM   #16
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They don't check

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spun Crankhub View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterF80M3 View Post
You shouldn't put people on blast on the forums. They can get in trouble by the BAR.

If you want to recommend a shop, PM them.

I feel like it is probably protocol to NOT look underneath a vehicle during a smog check. Not throwing anybody under the bus, just what I have noticed over the years smogging probably 15-20 vehicles I have owned. I actually made sure to mention on here that I put stuff in the engine bay back to stock for smog, because it is there that a visual inspection is performed.
I recently bought an out of state Florida M3 ZCP with a Fabsoeed midpipe and M performance exhaust. The smog station here in Los Angeles doesn't go underneath the car. All they do is hook it up to the computer and do a visual check under the hood. That's pretty much it. So you will pass 100%.
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