Buying Texas to CA Without Catalytic Converters - How to Pass Smog?

swoops · 11-02-2020, 01:09 AM

Hello everyone. So I am in the process of buying my dream car and joining the 6th gen club, but have one small snag that I hope to receive some advice on.

I found a good deal on a car in Texas that I plan to ship to CA where I live, but the previous owner took off the Catalytic converters. The Texas dealer has informed me they have to replace them before selling the vehicle, but they do not know if the car is going to be eligible to pass California SMOG.

My question for you all is if OEM Catalytic converters get re-installed, will I pass California visual and SMOG? I'm concerned the car won't register in CA if I purchase it.

I am going to request photos of underneath the car tomorrow when they get started on it.

Aaron07 · 11-02-2020, 03:45 AM

I couldn’t imagine why not if the previous owner puts on OEM cats. That being said I don’t know the California laws.

Number 3 · 11-02-2020, 06:32 AM

I’d check if it was recalibrated on top of the catalytic converter removal. That could also impact the test even with cats reinstalled

MrChrisLS3 · 11-02-2020, 06:57 AM

Find a different car. Save yourself the headache.

Highly likely if they removed the cats, they tuned it, and did who knows what else to car.

Petrol Head · 11-02-2020, 07:39 AM

If you really want the car, before you even put a penny down on the car make sure the dealer reinstalls the cats, then hire a local mechanic (obviously not the dealer’s mechanic

) to go down to the dealer and plug in his scan tool for a complete readout. Have him print the report. Shouldn’t cost you more than $100 for a good mechanic to do this. You will then know for sure if it will pass smog, and if it doesn’t you’re just out $100 instead of an entire car.

SJFGTO · 11-02-2020, 07:42 AM

If the cats were removed it is likely the car was tuned, otherwise you would be getting a CEL. A tune might have an impact on emissions testing in CA. I’d be very wary of what I was buying here.

GearheadSS · 11-02-2020, 07:57 AM

Yep. I'd pass on this one cuz there's a good chance you might not be able to pass smog and register the car.

Then your good deal will turn into a horrible deal.

Chutzpah · 11-02-2020, 07:58 AM

Sounds like a huge hassle, with a lot of potential down side for you. If you’re going to buy a dream car, it should come with no strings attached. If it were me, I’d pass on this one.

arpad_m · 11-02-2020, 09:32 AM

The only way I'd buy a modified vehicle (such as mine is now) is when the changes are fully documented, including invoices from any shop that did work on the car, and all the changes reversed if necessary. This also means restoring the original GM tune, which is not invisible, but resets the parameters of the vehicle to ensure safe and emissions compliant operation.

LT4Greg · 11-02-2020, 10:03 AM

I would pass on this car and keep searching.

ST1LE · 11-02-2020, 11:15 AM

Maybe one of the tuners that support the site can chime in on reverting a tuned car back to stock for state emissions reasons. If I were you, I would call a local shop and ask them this tune specific question. Very possible you will have to retune the car, which is not cheap.

If the deal is THAT good, I think it is worth checking a little more to see if this can be rectified. If it isnt the best deal by a long shot, then I too suggest moving on.

HoldMyBeer · 11-02-2020, 01:12 PM

to OP, I purchased a 2015 Mustang GT from Tx dealer due to great price back in 2016 and had same issue you describe. The TX dealer put OEM exhaust with cats on the car prior to shipping it to me. I went to smog it and had 0 issues. They inspect it, and if it is stock, no questions asked. That along with passing OBDII. I was in an out in 10 mins.

Good luck.

swoops · 11-02-2020, 01:48 PM

I am so appreciative of all the responses, thank-you. I never even considered the fact the car could have been tuned so that is eye opening to me and I don't like the sound of that at all.

After some consideration and talking to the dealer and driving down to chat with my local SMOG technician, it does not look good. The technician stated he would need to hook up to the car in order to actually tell me if it was going to pass smog in California. He said there should be no issues with the visual and he can use pictures beforehand to determine that.

I think I will spend a few thousand more and get one without any possible snags. Does not look like the juice is worth the squeeze on this one.

ST1LE · 11-02-2020, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swoops

I am so appreciative of all the responses, thank-you. I never even considered the fact the car could have been tuned so that is eye opening to me and I don't like the sound of that at all.

After some consideration and talking to the dealer and driving down to chat with my local SMOG technician, it does not look good. The technician stated he would need to hook up to the car in order to actually tell me if it was going to pass smog in California. He said there should be no issues with the visual and he can use pictures beforehand to determine that.

I think I will spend a few thousand more and get one without any possible snags. Does not look like the juice is worth the squeeze on this one.

Good choice! Good luck finding another car, look forward to your next thread with pictures of your new car!

11-02-2020, 01:09 AM	#1
swoops Drives: Chrysler 300C Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: California Posts: 6	Buying Texas to CA Without Catalytic Converters - How to Pass Smog? Hello everyone. So I am in the process of buying my dream car and joining the 6th gen club, but have one small snag that I hope to receive some advice on. I found a good deal on a car in Texas that I plan to ship to CA where I live, but the previous owner took off the Catalytic converters. The Texas dealer has informed me they have to replace them before selling the vehicle, but they do not know if the car is going to be eligible to pass California SMOG. My question for you all is if OEM Catalytic converters get re-installed, will I pass California visual and SMOG? I'm concerned the car won't register in CA if I purchase it. I am going to request photos of underneath the car tomorrow when they get started on it.

11-02-2020, 06:32 AM	#3
Number 3 Hail to the King baby! Drives: '19 XT4 2.0T & '22 VW Atlas 2.0T Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 12,170 View My Garage	I’d check if it was recalibrated on top of the catalytic converter removal. That could also impact the test even with cats reinstalled __________________ "Speed, it seems to me, provides the one genuinely modern pleasure." - Aldous Huxley

11-02-2020, 07:42 AM	#6
SJFGTO Oh Oh it's Friday Night! Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Nightfall Gray Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Walton Woods Posts: 1,061	If the cats were removed it is likely the car was tuned, otherwise you would be getting a CEL. A tune might have an impact on emissions testing in CA. I’d be very wary of what I was buying here. __________________ 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE NFG; ARH 2” headers, catless mids, ARH full exhaust, Lingenfelter 18% lower pulley, ATI Harmonic Balancer, Roto-fab CAI, EE-catch can, TM ported TB, NX Lid, BMR strut tower brace. Aeroforce dual pod interceptor gauges. Tuned by Vengeance Racing!!! 644 HP @ 6250 rpm / 689 trq @ 3660 rpm Four that wanna own me Two that wanna stone me One says she's a friend of mine...

11-02-2020, 09:32 AM	#9
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,605 View My Garage	The only way I'd buy a modified vehicle (such as mine is now) is when the changes are fully documented, including invoices from any shop that did work on the car, and all the changes reversed if necessary. This also means restoring the original GM tune, which is not invisible, but resets the parameters of the vehicle to ensure safe and emissions compliant operation. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

11-02-2020, 10:03 AM	#10
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,813	I would pass on this car and keep searching. __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

11-02-2020, 03:45 AM	#2
Aaron07 Drives: 2017 2SS F1FTY Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 347	I couldn’t imagine why not if the previous owner puts on OEM cats. That being said I don’t know the California laws.

11-02-2020, 06:57 AM	#4
MrChrisLS3 Drives: 2018 1SS M6 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Houston Posts: 2,617	Find a different car. Save yourself the headache. Highly likely if they removed the cats, they tuned it, and did who knows what else to car.

11-02-2020, 07:39 AM	#5
Petrol Head Account Suspended Drives: Fast if no one's looking Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,794	If you really want the car, before you even put a penny down on the car make sure the dealer reinstalls the cats, then hire a local mechanic (obviously not the dealer’s mechanic ) to go down to the dealer and plug in his scan tool for a complete readout. Have him print the report. Shouldn’t cost you more than $100 for a good mechanic to do this. You will then know for sure if it will pass smog, and if it doesn’t you’re just out $100 instead of an entire car.

11-02-2020, 07:57 AM	#7
GearheadSS Drives: 23 LT1/22 Colorado TB/69 Chevelle Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greenville, Tx Posts: 4,969 View My Garage	Yep. I'd pass on this one cuz there's a good chance you might not be able to pass smog and register the car. Then your good deal will turn into a horrible deal.

11-02-2020, 07:58 AM	#8
Chutzpah Drives: Wild Cherry LT1 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,925	Sounds like a huge hassle, with a lot of potential down side for you. If you’re going to buy a dream car, it should come with no strings attached. If it were me, I’d pass on this one.

11-02-2020, 11:15 AM	#11
ST1LE Drives: E92 BMW M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 4,496	Maybe one of the tuners that support the site can chime in on reverting a tuned car back to stock for state emissions reasons. If I were you, I would call a local shop and ask them this tune specific question. Very possible you will have to retune the car, which is not cheap. If the deal is THAT good, I think it is worth checking a little more to see if this can be rectified. If it isnt the best deal by a long shot, then I too suggest moving on. __________________ SOLD - 2013 1LE - Pat G Spec'd Cam, NPP with 1 7/8" Long Tube Headers with High Flow Cats, Intake w/scoop, Ported Throttle Body, and Apex 1.25" Lowering Springs. J-Rod Built and Matt@FSP Tuned

11-02-2020, 01:12 PM	#12
HoldMyBeer Drives: 2017 ZL1(Silver) - A10, Stock Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: SoCal Posts: 65	to OP, I purchased a 2015 Mustang GT from Tx dealer due to great price back in 2016 and had same issue you describe. The TX dealer put OEM exhaust with cats on the car prior to shipping it to me. I went to smog it and had 0 issues. They inspect it, and if it is stock, no questions asked. That along with passing OBDII. I was in an out in 10 mins. Good luck. __________________ 2017 ZL1(Silver) A10

11-02-2020, 01:48 PM	#13
swoops Drives: Chrysler 300C Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: California Posts: 6	I am so appreciative of all the responses, thank-you. I never even considered the fact the car could have been tuned so that is eye opening to me and I don't like the sound of that at all. After some consideration and talking to the dealer and driving down to chat with my local SMOG technician, it does not look good. The technician stated he would need to hook up to the car in order to actually tell me if it was going to pass smog in California. He said there should be no issues with the visual and he can use pictures beforehand to determine that. I think I will spend a few thousand more and get one without any possible snags. Does not look like the juice is worth the squeeze on this one.

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