03-09-2019, 06:23 PM | #1 |
Drives: ´18 ZL1 A10 Red Hot 😍 Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Madrid, SPAIN
Posts: 347
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Help with mods, totally newbie + smog handicap!
Hello all,
Well, it´s time to do some mods to my 2018 ZL1 (6k miles)... First, let me tell you: I am in Madrid, Spain, and here we have state inspections very similar to California, as I´ve read here, and the big problem is they include a smog test. Too, our gas is your 91 or 93 oct, no way to find (and use) E85, Meth, Racing fuel... What I mean about the smog test? Well, there´s no option to remove cats or axle back (this one can be replaced, not removed), and the police can "escort" you at any time to pass an extra inspection if they have suspicion you removed smog parts... so no way to use the car without cats (e.g.) thinking to add them just to pass the programmed inspection (we pass them first after 4 years, next twice each 2 years and lastly each year). I´ve read a lot of mod threads, but quite all talk about packages who include lot of thinks I can´t do to my car, so knowing all that I told you before, I need advice about... - what I am (quite) sure we can do:
- what I am NOT sure we can/need to do:
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First ZL1 in Spain (Madrid)! Red Hot, A10, PDR, carbon fiber hood & grounds effects...
Last edited by Akura; 03-10-2019 at 08:01 PM. |
03-10-2019, 07:42 AM | #2 |
Drives: ´18 ZL1 A10 Red Hot 😍 Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Madrid, SPAIN
Posts: 347
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80 reads, 0 replies, great members...
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First ZL1 in Spain (Madrid)! Red Hot, A10, PDR, carbon fiber hood & grounds effects...
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03-10-2019, 07:51 AM | #3 |
Drives: Zl1 Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: CA
Posts: 86
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Do you have to pass a visual or just emissions test? In my gt500 it would still pass California smog with a pulley, intake, throttle body and tune. Just make sure whoever's doing your tuning does not turn off your rear o2 sensors.
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03-10-2019, 11:07 AM | #4 | |
AXLERODZL1
Drives: 2019 Riverside blue ZL1 Camaro Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Carrollton, VA
Posts: 205
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Quote:
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'19 ZL1 A10 Riverside Blue PDR/Nav/Sunroof
Kong ported blower/snout Roto-Fab Big gulp 103 TB Lingenfelter Lower Pulley(9.17) 1 7/8 ARH headers and Exhaust Meth injection(single nozzle) 733whp/788tq Last edited by 2ltrgsr; 03-10-2019 at 02:24 PM. |
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03-10-2019, 11:27 AM | #5 |
Drives: ZL1/335i Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Santa Barbara
Posts: 870
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In all honesty, I think only you can answer this. Smog laws differ drastically by state here in the US, so I feel we can only guess as to what you can or can’t do in Spain.
Here in California, you really aren’t allowed to do anything that doesn’t have a CARB certification. An axle back exhaust is about it legally. We no longer have the tailpipe emissions testing here though, so it’s just visual and an OBD2 monitor check. An intake is a definite fail, and I’m pretty sure a modified PCV system (catch can) will do the same. Some counties in CA still do a tailpipe emissions test on a dyno, so that changes things. See why this is tough? I know in states like Texas, they just do a visual to make sure you have cats on the car. They don’t care if you have headers, aftermarket cats, etc. In CA, you can’t relocate cats or swap them out for high flow models. You really need to figure out what exact testing they do in your city, how they inspect the car (on a lift or not), and if CARB certification is required on parts. |
03-10-2019, 11:46 AM | #6 |
Drives: 18 ZL1 nightfall grey A10 Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: RGV Texas
Posts: 1,527
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As others have mentioned, it will be difficult to determine the emissions part. Other than that I went with RT intake, TM TB, kooks 2” headers with no cats (bc I can), and 9.17 lower pulley. Car still needs a retune as the previous tuner left a lot on the table. But so far the car is much faster and I don’t have any problems with heat that I can see. I do let the car cool down about 30-45min between 1/4 mile runs. If I was doing track racing than I would consider the interchiller over larger heat exchangers. I just feel there is more benefit to that. As far as remote tuners, as previously stated Jannetty racing and Pat G can set you up nicely.
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03-10-2019, 04:29 PM | #7 |
Oh Oh it's Friday Night!
Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Nightfall Gray Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Walton Woods
Posts: 1,061
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Without knowing more specifics about your smog laws everything is just a guess, but here are my 2 cents: 1) roto-fab is likely ok (mostly for looks/avoid the big gulp version as you don't need it), 2) catch can may be fine, it does technically alter your emissions system slightly and it is debatable whether you need one 3) a TB is likely ok, either name you mention is a good one 4) avoid the pulley unless you are going to add long tube headers, which in turn will require a tune. Headers and green cats may or may not be ok, you would need to know specifically whether removing factory emission control devices like cats is ok if replaced by an approved after market equivalent. A tune will certainly impact emissions and may or may not be a good idea depending on whether your vehicle is tested and the type of test. Good luck!
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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... |
03-10-2019, 07:58 PM | #8 | |
Drives: ´18 ZL1 A10 Red Hot 😍 Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Madrid, SPAIN
Posts: 347
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Quote:
Just emissions test, and as I’ve read is similar to your “basic test”, first at idle and next running at 2500 rpm. The CO2 has to be less than 0,3% and the lambda between 0,97 and 1,03. Don’t turn rear O2 sensors... got it!
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First ZL1 in Spain (Madrid)! Red Hot, A10, PDR, carbon fiber hood & grounds effects...
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03-10-2019, 08:34 PM | #9 | ||
Drives: ´18 ZL1 A10 Red Hot 😍 Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Madrid, SPAIN
Posts: 347
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Quote:
Quote:
https://www.cspracing.com/forced-ind...ler-universal/ Where do you install it? Seems big...
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First ZL1 in Spain (Madrid)! Red Hot, A10, PDR, carbon fiber hood & grounds effects...
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03-10-2019, 08:38 PM | #10 | |
Drives: ´18 ZL1 A10 Red Hot 😍 Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Madrid, SPAIN
Posts: 347
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Quote:
RF mostly for looks? Do you think is not necessary for a tune? ...avoid the pulley unless you are going to add long tube headers - Why? I’ve read lot of mods threads doing upper pulley without touching headers
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First ZL1 in Spain (Madrid)! Red Hot, A10, PDR, carbon fiber hood & grounds effects...
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03-10-2019, 08:39 PM | #11 |
Drives: ´18 ZL1 A10 Red Hot 😍 Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Madrid, SPAIN
Posts: 347
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Thank you very much too! Be sure I will pm you tomorrow, thank you again!
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First ZL1 in Spain (Madrid)! Red Hot, A10, PDR, carbon fiber hood & grounds effects...
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03-10-2019, 08:48 PM | #12 | |
Drives: ´18 ZL1 A10 Red Hot 😍 Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Madrid, SPAIN
Posts: 347
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Here 2ltrgsr & Markoz28 are talking about lower pulley, but I’ve read a lot (and saw videos) about uppers, like this one:
What is the difference? Can be upgraded upper & lower at the same time? Thank you.
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First ZL1 in Spain (Madrid)! Red Hot, A10, PDR, carbon fiber hood & grounds effects...
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03-10-2019, 10:01 PM | #13 |
Drives: 18 ZL1 nightfall grey A10 Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: RGV Texas
Posts: 1,527
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Upper plluey is less expensive but more involved on the install. Now if you were going to port the supercharger than I would go with the upper instead of lower for sure. Porting the SC and doing a 2.3 or smaller pulley would build some good power. I still think headers would needed but not sure.
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03-11-2019, 02:51 AM | #14 |
Account Suspended
Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: May 2012
Location: NJ
Posts: 7,692
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Well it was a long post. And you asked every question that has been answered countless times. So yea we are great members here. But a quick search or a call to a shop could have given you all the info you need. To answer tho...
Catch can - Lots to debate about this. If you ask me, save your money. That is the unpopular opinion. But I've had plenty of cars all that never even seen a catch can before. And they all went to well over 100K miles. I doesn't add HP. It won't have any effect on engine longevity. It isn't required by smog laws. So for me there is no point to spending money on one. But I'm not telling you not to get one. If you just have to have one, then knock yourself out. CAI - If you're getting a tune then you might as well go ahead and get an intake that requires a tune. If you're staying non-tuned then a standard cai is fine. PTB - They're all just ported stock units. They do a little and they're nice to have. Pick whichever one you fancy. IMO they all are decent units. I have a Katech PTD and I like it. Pulley - This adds boost so you will see increased HP and TQ everywhere in the RPM range. The best bet is to get an upper one and speak with your tuner on which size to go with. Too small and you'll have issues with overheating so be careful of that. Plus you don't wanna waste money on pulleys and tunes if you're just gonna swap out the blower at some point anyway. That would be a waste of money. So figure out if you wanna go that route or if you would prefer to do a blower swap. Tuner - There are dozens of good tuners. Pick one and look for reviews on their work. Axle-back - At what they cost, if you ask me I say just get a cat-back. It'll save some weight and give you a better sound. Try to find one that has a sound that you like. And one that fits your budget as they can get very expensive. Headers - You will have to remove the stock cats. But if it matters to you then get a HF catted setup. Make sure it is legal where you are. And there are lots of good brands in all price ranges. TSP will be the cheapest and they are good quality. ARH and Kooks are the most expensive but the quality is second to none. Cooling, spark plugs, wires - Go with the tuner's recommendations. What you should do is prepare a list to ask tuners and email them or call them. They will put together a package for you when you're ready to buy. That is your best bet for now. In the future you can go wilder if you want. But I say for now keep things simple. |
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