Took FrankenBRAt to California SMOG Ref. (PASSED)

[s'ko]

Well I passed the comprehensive visual inspection.

But I failed the emission test.

 

I was not able to do a two speed idle b/c the guy recognized that it was select 4wd.

 

My NOX levels were really high. 15mph is double what it should be and at 25 mph is about 200 over the limit.

 

The ref suggested that I put smaller tires on the car so it doesn't have to work as hard. I have a set of Impreza tires that I will be throwing on and then off to the smog guy again.

 

BW

[86BRATMAN]

Maybe a little denatured alcohol is worth a shot too. There have been quite a few people use that to pass the test. Only problem would be if they tested the fuel for it. But good luck and keep us updated.

[WRX2FFU]

Well I passed the comprehensive visual inspection.

But I failed the emission test.

 

I was not able to do a two speed idle b/c the guy recognized that it was select 4wd.

 

My NOX levels were really high. 15mph is double what it should be and at 25 mph is about 200 over the limit.

 

The ref suggested that I put smaller tires on the car so it doesn't have to work as hard. I have a set of Impreza tires that I will be throwing on and then off to the smog guy again.

 

BW

 

 

The tires are throwing your speed off too. With the tires you have on it, 25 is more like 32.

[zstalker]

is your EGR system working properly? that could result in high NOx

~Erik~

[daeron]

Maybe a little denatured alcohol is worth a shot too. There have been quite a few people use that to pass the test. Only problem would be if they tested the fuel for it. But good luck and keep us updated.

alot of denatured alcohol, as close to 100% as you can get.

 

It works, and its safe. People use Toluene as well, but denatured alcohol somehow seems "better" in my mind. Just fill up with a full tank of real gas after driving around your alcohol powered frankenbrat for a little while and you are fine.

[s'ko]

Thanks for the tips.

 

I have another appointment w/the SMOG guy on Wed 8/15.

 

Will be going for a pseudo long road trip to the Impreza event this weekend so I will give the denatured alcohol trick a try. Any one have input on the mix levels?

 

BW

[daeron]

Thanks for the tips.

 

I have another appointment w/the SMOG guy on Wed 8/15.

 

Will be going for a pseudo long road trip to the Impreza event this weekend so I will give the denatured alcohol trick a try. Any one have input on the mix levels?

 

BW

 

It is something that you run as pure as possible just before and during the actual test. If youre going on a drive to "run her out" a few days before the test, use sea foam or something of that nature added to your fuel.. then run the tank near dry (get a gallon in a can, and your alcohol, and run it dry the night before, then fill it with the alcohol, even...) Go for a good hot run burning the alcohol before the test, and go take the test. Probably pass with flying colors, as far as emissions go. alcohol burns CLEAN as far as smog goes.

[i_c_the_light]

You'd almost want a seperate fuel cell with alcohol that you can change over to at the flick of the switch.

[s'ko]

PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS!!!!!!!!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana: (gratuitous banana dance)

 

You don't realize what this means....

 

I bought the BRAT in Feb of 2004. I have been trying to SMOG the beast since then. For over 3 years. He first year or so I didn't smog it until Sept b/c the tags were still good. Then I spent a lot of time trying to correct the previous owners mikey rigged emission tricking stuff. Like putting a plate made out of an soda can over the EGR and stuff like that. Finally it was an EA81 engine swap but the tranny died.

Then in Nov of 2006 I decided to go with the EJ18 swap and now.... now it's complete.

(sigh)

BW

Today's meaning of BRAT is B.osco's R.eally A.wesome T.ruck. Probably change tomorrow b/c something else is bound to break/melt/short.

[subyrally]

nice, congrats on that.

 

now if only i could get my brat road worthy, emmisions isnt going to be an issue with mine since i am going with historic tags. but i still want to get the rust repaired.

[crockettbrat]

Hey S'ko:

 

Right on man!!!!!!!!!! You are my new motivator!! I hadn't heard of anyone in California passing the ref with an ej swap. Now I'm motivated. Thanks!

 

Daniel

[s'ko]

Hey S'ko:

 

Right on man!!!!!!!!!! You are my new motivator!! I hadn't heard of anyone in California passing the ref with an ej swap. Now I'm motivated. Thanks!

 

Daniel

 

Thanks

The key is to find out who who your local smog ref is and see if you can get his number. I spent a long time talking to him on the phone and he knew basically what I did when I showed up.

 

Also keep all of the EJ22 OBDI stuff from your donor. Your engine bay should pretty much look like an EJ's bay, expect for the spare tire holder.

 

I also brought my wiring diagrams from the BRAT and the EJ ECU. Give me a PM when you are close to doing the wiring for the Check engine lights and stuff like that. I can give you detailed info on how to do the vehicle speed sensor and how to get the CEL working. W/a OBD1 engine, there is really not that much that can go wrong. The only CEL light I threw was the starter circuit. That was an easy enough fix, just spliced a wire from the starter to the ECU.

 

Anyways thanks again.

 

BW