phreakypat

My dad tells me that if your car is 1998 and up you are exempt
from the dreaded California smog check. If this is the case does this theoretically mean I can put a Buschur Downpipe and NOS
in my Lancer as long as I don't get pulled over? In other words,
I can pretty much mod my car to whatever crazy horsepower levels without getting caught?

StreetLancer

That sounds too crazy to be true.

HobieKopek

iTrader: (8)

Regardless of your smog regulations, tampering with catalytic converters is still a FEDERAL (not state) offense. I wouldn't bank on it. Maybe you won't have to get smog tested randomly for 5 years, but you'll still have to do it every year when your car is inspected I'm pretty sure.

If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.

pjal84

B00lsheet. Older cars are what are going to exempt from smog restrictions since they were developed previous to whatever smog regulations are in effect. It's the exact opposite for newer cars: the newer the car, the more rules it must adhere to.

cleofis

iTrader: (1)

i think that because a lot of older cars dont even have cats, they dont have to adhere to many smog conditons. but nowadays we have to have all of our cats or else we get tickets..

Link286XT

iTrader: (3)

a brand new car is smog exempt for 4 years from the point of sale from the dealer, if you transfer ownership (sell it) you have to smog it. if you never sell it after the first 4 years you have to smog it, if you fail smog it will show up on your carfax and you have to smog that car every year.

Link

phreakypat

"B00lsheet. Older cars are what are going to exempt from smog restrictions since they were developed previous to whatever smog regulations are in effect. It's the exact opposite for newer cars: the newer the car, the more rules it must adhere to. "


That especially makes sense if a newer law was passed that all new cars made by a certain date will have to follow the governed law. I know there was one such rule, but I totally forget the details.
Basically, this issue is important for me because I either
will:

A.) Mod my Lancer
B.) Keep my Lancer (under warranty) stock and purchase/mod
a second hand car like a 93' DSM

I'm trying to get the most horsepower with sorta a small mod budget ($2000.00 max including mod installations) without breaking the law, but I would think that's irrelevant to the smog issue at hand and I should address this to the DSM boards.]
Thanks for the input guys! Your input really help me a lot.