Reply to "new smog law in california"

Ha,ha Mark is always watching...good job, help keep us all civilized.

As I understand it, when you go to get smogged, it is not all about just clean exhaust. Things are different now than in the old days: (1) now the tests are more difficult on the dyno, (2) if you fail (or for any other reason "they" feel necessary), you need to go to the state referee (lots of fun), (3) the engine & devices must meet specs, and (4) you can't just throw more cash at your local smog buddy like before to pass you...things are high tech now.

When I took my Maserati Biturbo in for the required smog about a year ago, I had to go back to the referee about 4 times, until he liked the way the engine was set up. It didn't matter that the exhaust passed "clean" on all the tests. It was the engine set up that they frowned on (and this was a factory engine with no mods). If you have anything highly modified, you may as well keep it in the garage as a trophy if this thing passes. Or if you still have a stock 351 laying around, you may want to hang onto it for those special occasions when needed.

Also, I would think that maybe this bill has a good chance of passing, as CA govt is really hurting for money right now. I am not sure how the money trail follows with the smog tests, but a certain portion probably goes back to the state government, and they are looking for any source of revenue right now (money is the priority over everything right now). Any one know if smogs tests are revenue generating for the state?