New Owner of 90 in Cali! - Failed Smog :(

[wutanec]

Hello,
I just picked up a 1990 ZR1!
Polo Green with around 78000 miles, saddle interior, and pretty much stock.
Originally California car but I got it from a gentleman in Iowa, had it shipped and received it this Monday.
Coming from BMW's, this is my first American car and a Corvette.
This car feels very special, fast, and comfortable. I can't believe how these things flew under my radar, I wish I knew about them much earlier.

And went to get smogged for the registration and that is where the fun stopped.
Attached is a copy of my report.

The smog guy, his opinion is that the car is in a really good running order and this is probably the best the car can do....He did tell me to run it hard on freeway for some miles and comeback and he will test again for free.

The car has new injectors, coil, and fuel filter
I think the car sat for a bit, could old gas result in poor test results?

How are you guys in California dealing with this awful test? :(
Any tips would be super appreciated.

Thank you!

[efnfast]

I know my car would fail, but I also know they can be made to pass. Testing with the power key off will help. Stock exhaust?

[Flyman 27]

One of Mark Haibeck's smog chips could help a bit:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/163255880847?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

One of Mark's smog chips for $90 is a pretty good deal.
Fresh gas is a must I would assume.
My ZR-1 was from Southern California. The Previous Owner installed the smog chip for testing, then removed it.

[JFFerner]

I've read somewhere on this site (Probably several years ago) that California emissions testing for ZR-1's can become confused with results required of other Corvettes. Be sure the testing is against standards set for a 1990 ZR-1.I don't remember the exact language stated and I'm not a Californian so take this with a grain of salt. Jim

[KILLSHOTS]

As was mentioned in an earlier post, did you test with the power key in FULL? When I first bought mine, it had only 15,500 miles and was 100% stock except for new injectors, plugs, coils, etc. It failed miserably (Arizona) and I was furious. Somebody mentioned the power key, so I returned for a re-test with it in NORMAL and the car passed with no issues. Good luck.

[wutanec]

I know my car would fail, but I also know they can be made to pass. Testing with the power key off will help. Stock exhaust?

As was mentioned in an earlier post, did you test with the power key in FULL? When I first bought mine, it had only 15,500 miles and was 100% stock except for new injectors, plugs, coils, etc. It failed miserably (Arizona) and I was furious. Somebody mentioned the power key, so I returned for a re-test with it in NORMAL and the car passed with no issues. Good luck.



I think the car has muffler delete but otherwise it is stock. Interesting how valet mode will help with the test. Next time, I will try with power key off.
Thanks for the input!

One of Mark Haibeck's smog chips could help a bit:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/163255880847?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

One of Mark's smog chips for $90 is a pretty good deal.
Fresh gas is a must I would assume.
My ZR-1 was from Southern California. The Previous Owner installed the smog chip for testing, then removed it.

This is also really interesting. It would be my last resort if nothing helps. Thanks!

[WARP TEN]

As noted, perhaps Marc Haibeck's chip would be a help. But even better, why not give him a call and talk about solutions with him? He is always glad to help and really knows more about these engines than almost anyone. I remember when we had testing in Illinois for our ZR-1s, I used to revert from one of Marc's performance chips to a stock chip for testing because it reinstated the CAGS 1 to 4 shift. That was needed in our dyno tests because a 1-2 shift would spike HC levels. The 1-4 skip shift avoided that. But we had to educate the testing tech on that CAGS feature or he would try to force it into 2nd.Then removed the chip afterward to get rid of the CAGS. Give Marc a call. Good luck--Bob

[wutanec]

PASSED!

I cannot be happier right now! the car barely passed but I am glad it passed.
I ran the car hard on freeway for some miles, normal power mode, and fresh tank of gas.
I do worry about the next test but at least I can be safe for another two years.

It was interesting how the guy ran the dyno. He started in the second gear and tested on the third gear.

Thanks guys for all the help!

[Franke]

I had a 1990 with only 55,000 miles on it and it failed NOx testing in Colorado. A guy on this site told me to change the front O2 sensors and that fixed it. O2 Sensors cost about 90 dollars.
The Chevy dealership wanted to change the cats for 4K.

[Route 66]

This is something you might try. And it wont cost much.
Get a bottle of Sea Foam [Most auto parts stores have it] siphon out the old gas put in the best high grade you have in your area. I would put in about 3/4 of a tank and add the can of Sea Foam. Put the Sea Foam in first so it will mix better. Go for a drive. Use your power key and open it up. Or if you want to see what has build up in your motor. Put some catch pans under both muffler weep holes.[weep hole will be at the lowest end of the muffler] With the power key on' run the RPM up a few times then let it idle for a while. [You might repeat the raising of the RPM a few times then idle it again.
A mechanic told me about Sea Foam. I have never cared much of engine additives but this one seem to work. The first time I used it was just after putting in new injectors. I let mine set in my shop and run for a while It left two black 6 inch carbon stains on my shop floor. I used it again a few days ago after getting my 405 HP working again. I now have a new set of stains.

California is a beautiful place to live I like it there but too dam many rules. It's not as pretty in the armpit of America but we have more freedom. Fast car's being one of them.
There are some good people on here that might have a better solution to your problem. This one worked for me.
Good luck with the inspection.:flag:

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

PASSED!

I cannot be happier right now! the car barely passed but I am glad it passed.
I ran the car hard on freeway for some miles, normal power mode, and fresh tank of gas.
I do worry about the next test but at least I can be safe for another two years.

It was interesting how the guy ran the dyno. He started in the second gear and tested on the third gear.

Thanks guys for all the help!



Congrats!!!!


Hard to imagine it would pull it down that much, but those who suggested those methods obviously knew their stuff!


Glad to see that it worked!
Now, go out and have FUN with it!
Marty

[efnfast]

Don't forget, Chevy convinced the feds to let them do all the emission stuff with the power key off.

[Z51JEFF]

I’m here in Ca and I dread the smog mombo every time it comes around. The problem is the State keeps lowering the max levels,my bone stock 91 with I think it was 17,000 miles failed twice. When I got my car it had 6000 miles and that car with 6000 miles,bone stock virgin would fail today at the current levels. I can’t read the specs on the smog sheet here but it had to be the max Nox level that failed the car. Every time I go through the smog bull$hit I’ve got to jump through hoops,I’ve got a few thing I do to get it to pass,don’t like the idea of bending the rules but based on the State being so unreasonable with this I have no choice. I will say this,Marc Haibeck has the answers for this crap. My car now has 25,000 miles there’s a chance it could fail again,I found a good smog guy that’s seems to know what to do to get it to pass. If the State lowers the max limits anymore it might be time to look into a class action lawsuit. As far as the OP goes everything has to be just right for the car to pass.

[WARP TEN]

[QUOTE=Z51JEFF;284273]..........If the State lowers the max limits anymore it might be time to look into a class action lawsuit....... /QUOTE]

I am surprised that no one has done this yet. Or have they already but not been successful? One would think that once the car is built a state shouldn't be allowed to change the rules but obviously California has in order to achieve a political agenda and get all old cars off the road, even collector cars. Any California attorneys here have some insight on this? Just too much for a small group to go up against the government? Curious. --Bob

[jcruz]

Emissions inspections. Reason #63 why I moved from Virginia to Florida.

[jss06c6]

Texas requires emissions test until the car hits 25 yrs old, then it's safety inspection only. Obvious logic here is that the number of cars over 25 years old aren't a material contributor to emissions as a class of vehicle. Agree with the required safety checks, but old cars and modern emissions standards are a no win situation.

Sent from my XT1585 using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=90383)

[johnboy89]

Texas requires emissions test until the car hits 25 yrs old, then it's safety inspection only. Obvious logic here is that the number of cars over 25 years old aren't a material contributor to emissions as a class of vehicle. Agree with the required safety checks, but old cars and modern emissions standards are a no win situation.

Sent from my XT1585 using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=90383)



This was the case in RI a few years ago, but now safety and emissions are exempt for Antiques. They completely got rid of the dynos and now only do a two speed idle test for pre-96.

[Ccmano]

Texas requires emissions test until the car hits 25 yrs old, then it's safety inspection only. Obvious logic here is that the number of cars over 25 years old aren't a material contributor to emissions as a class of vehicle. Agree with the required safety checks, but old cars and modern emissions standards are a no win situation.

Sent from my XT1585 using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=90383)

We’re talking about California here, no logic is involved.
H
:cheers:

[Regimof3]

They made a polo green in 1990?

[gonzolt5]

Ugh. I just picked up my first ZR1 (in the Bay Area) and while replacing all the gaskets, seals, o-rings, O2 sensors, and injectors, I wired my secondaries permanently open before putting the plenum back on. Looks like I need to pull the plenum and change this back for the smog test next week.

I have a plan for rigging this up with a manual switch that will allow me to open / close the secondaries from the engine bay. The plan being that I only close them for smog tests. Has anyone else done something like this before? I plan to use a large carb spring, and a go kart throttle cable with a friction lock, both connected to the secondary levers under each side of the plenum.

-Gonzo

[efnfast]

Ugh. I just picked up my first ZR1 (in the Bay Area) and while replacing all the gaskets, seals, o-rings, O2 sensors, and injectors, I wired my secondaries permanently open before putting the plenum back on. Looks like I need to pull the plenum and change this back for the smog test next week.

I have a plan for rigging this up with a manual switch that will allow me to open / close the secondaries from the engine bay. The plan being that I only close them for smog tests. Has anyone else done something like this before? I plan to use a large carb spring, and a go kart throttle cable with a friction lock, both connected to the secondary levers under each side of the plenum.

-Gonzo
Congrats on the car, welcome aboard.
Sounds kinda prone to mistakes that could be costly?

[mike100]

new o2 sensors will help the nox. Also, it would be almost rare to find a zr-1 that hasn't been 'chipped' so the extra ign timing programmed into that might elevate nox as well.

well worn catalysts benefit from not warming up the car and just running it cold on the dyno,