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scubabrian
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2008
Posts: 117
Location: San Diego, CA
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 Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 3:49 pm Post subject: Passed CA Emissions with Subaru Engine |
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I just passed emissions with my Subaru Powered Vanagon. Had to go to two smog shops before they would look at it. I have a 93 EJ 22 in my 85 Westfalia with the KEP intake and exhaust but Small Care bell housing I should be compliant with the executive order but they didn't ask. I don't think the shop even realized it wasn't a VW engine except they commented that it read really well for an 85. The first shop asked if it had a VW or Subaru engine and said any Subaru engine would need a BAR sticker. It pays to shop around.
Brian
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Brian
85 Westfalia with 2.2L Subaru
brian-mchugh-uwphoto.com |
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madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:05 pm Post subject: Re: Passed CA Emissions with Subaru Engine |
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| scubabrian wrote: |
I just passed emissions with my Subaru Powered Vanagon. Had to go to two smog shops before they would look at it. I have a 93 EJ 22 in my 85 Westfalia with the KEP intake and exhaust but Small Care bell housing I should be compliant with the executive order but they didn't ask. I don't think the shop even realized it wasn't a VW engine except they commented that it read really well for an 85. The first shop asked if it had a VW or Subaru engine and said any Subaru engine would need a BAR sticker. It pays to shop around.
Brian |
Congratulations!
so I guess you will have to do this shopping around every one or two years, that is really the downfall of your approach but again, congratulations, don't want to rain on your parade.
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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scubabrian
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2008
Posts: 117
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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Worst case if I have to go to the BAR my conversion should be compliant but it's nice not having to go through the hassle.
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Brian
85 Westfalia with 2.2L Subaru
brian-mchugh-uwphoto.com |
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regis101
Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2005
Posts: 2078
Location: Livermore, Ca
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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Cool. Keep us informed of your thoughts about the EJ22.
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Peace, ~R |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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It is not the first time a conversion passes through a smog station and nobody is the wiser.
I have seen them not even open the cover and look. In fact, that exact situation happened recently.
Don't ask, don't tell. Works many times.
Plus here in San Diego we have LOTS of smog shops. The probability of sliding through is high.
_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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scubabrian
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2008
Posts: 117
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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| regis101 wrote: |
| Cool. Keep us informed of your thoughts about the EJ22. |
I cannot say how much better the 2.2 Subaru is than the old 1.9. It is a completely different vehicle. I can keep up with traffic even up moderate grades. I've been driving it to work a couple days a week, it really is a joy to drive now vs. the old waterboxer that I found very frustrating. This is by far the best modification / repair I have done to the van. I should note that the waterboxer I had ran fine, it was just horribly underpowered. I wonder how much better the 2.5 would have been? I picked the 2.2 as it is the only easily CARB compliant engine swap in the PRK.
Brian
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Brian
85 Westfalia with 2.2L Subaru
brian-mchugh-uwphoto.com |
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VisPacem
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2007
Posts: 1143
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 8:28 pm Post subject: Re: Passed CA Emissions with Subaru Engine |
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| scubabrian wrote: |
I just passed emissions with my Subaru Powered Vanagon. Had to go to two smog shops before they would look at it. I have a 93 EJ 22 in my 85 Westfalia with the KEP intake and exhaust but Small Care bell housing I should be compliant with the executive order but they didn't ask. I don't think the shop even realized it wasn't a VW engine except they commented that it read really well for an 85. The first shop asked if it had a VW or Subaru engine and said any Subaru engine would need a BAR sticker. It pays to shop around.
Brian |
Congratulations 
I am delighted to see common sense prevail over bureaucratic stupidity. I have turned red in the face posting this procedure on the samba in several posts and I was flamed,admonished, scolded and berated by the self appointed Planet Savers, Kommissars and decerebrated zealots of the "I bend over for you Big Daddy I know you love me" 
Now one will say it's the --magic-- sticker that does it all. You probably will pollute less with that --magic- sticker 
Jolly good show old chap 
_________________
LG aka VisPacemPB, *The* party Pooper
No Regrets (Nothing to do with Vanagons) |
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ANGOVAY
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2009
Posts: 85
Location: SMF
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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Have you all seen or read how some of the smog test done at centers are off by +-17% of what Ca. is now doing (random roadside testing)?
Big bro is now taking it to the road! 
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Mark
90 Westy 1.8T Sold
2016 Sprinter Field Van |
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Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10506
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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One slight unknown before doing my swap was passing our smog up here in B.C. ("Air Care"). Not as strict as CA smog I'm sure, but it was a relief to get through.
Mine read at ~1/2 of the readings the air cooled passed with. (AC didn't have a cat)
Congrats!
Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)
1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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Jon_slider
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007
Posts: 5091
Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 10:45 pm Post subject: |
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Congratulations!
I was unable to get a bar code from a referee for my 1990 Subaru 2.2 powered Van, but have found a smog shop in Santa Cruz I can work with, and also passed.
I had told them on the phone about it being a Subaru, executive order, bla bla.. they said come on in..
After passing the test they said, "if you had not told us it was a subaru, we would not have known".. I took that as a hint not to mention it in the future..
I also found a couple that would not look at a non bar code subaru. They really have no clue about the Kennedy Executive Order, and dont want to know..
Knowing what I know now, I wish I had a 2.5..
And no I dont feel Im being any less environmentally responsible by passing a smog test without a bar code.. In fact, Im confident my subaru pollutes less than the waterboxer.. |
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RCB
Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005
Posts: 4143
Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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Congratulations on passing the smogtologist check-up.
I have a simple air-cooled Westy and Im always happy to hear about a Samba member whos passed the California Smog Test.
Did the station do the tank pressure test and the fuel cap test? |
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scubabrian
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2008
Posts: 117
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:22 pm Post subject: |
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| RCB wrote: |
Congratulations on passing the smogtologist check-up.
I have a simple air-cooled Westy and Im always happy to hear about a Samba member whos passed the California Smog Test.
Did the station do the tank pressure test and the fuel cap test? |
No, they consider it not accessible. They didn't look to hard and I wasn't going to volunteer how easy the canister is to find.
_________________
Brian
85 Westfalia with 2.2L Subaru
brian-mchugh-uwphoto.com |
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j_dirge
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 4641
Location: Twain Harte, CA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:17 am Post subject: |
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| Jon_slider wrote: |
I also found a couple that would not look at a non bar code subaru. They really have no clue about the Kennedy Executive Order, and dont want to know..
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It is thier job to find out.. if they don't know.
And if they are reluctant to look up the EO, then you can file a complaint.
Enough complaints and they lose thier smog test license. Sometimes the smog test places forget why they are doing what they do.
I am not advocating an adversarial approach on this.. only that if we go in armed with all the information we are more likely to come out with a mutually benificial outcome.
KEP went through a lot of work to get thier EO.. And CARB makes a lot of noise about properely using the EO process.
I think that we should hold them to thier own rules. Afterall, we pay them to do that job.. No?
To the OP..
Congrats on passing.. Now you've got 2 yrs to find a BAR ref that will help you get thru to the coveted CARB bar code decal.
Do you have the KEP EO decal?
_________________
-89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
| danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
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Hallvalla
Samba Member
Joined: May 05, 2009
Posts: 224
Location: Oakland, CA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:14 am Post subject: |
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I'm in the same boat. Passed CA smog but didn't try for a sticker yet. 'Grats.
_________________
85 Westy
Subaru EJ22 |
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Jon_slider
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007
Posts: 5091
Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:27 am Post subject: |
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> It is thier job to find out.. if they don't know.
> And if they are reluctant to look up the EO, then you can file a complaint.
sounds good in theory
in the real world, even the Evergreen college referee that turned me down was unwilling to look up the EO.. he insisted it was my job to provide it to him, as well as a complete parts list for him to verify.. yeah right... Im going to give him more fuel for him to refuse... joker..
I even had one smog shop go hysterical, telling me they would be subject to a 10,000 dollar fine if they smog a subaru Van with no bar code from CARB.. All of that info is wrong. and no, Im not going to report them, Im just not giving them my business..
it is really not that hard to find a smog shop to do the test, and once you find one, you can go back every 2 years, its not like you need a different shop every smog test.. |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:32 am Post subject: |
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| scubabrian wrote: |
| RCB wrote: |
| Did the station do the tank pressure test and the fuel cap test? |
No, they consider it not accessible. They didn't look to hard and I wasn't going to volunteer how easy the canister is to find. |
Ditto. He glanced at it, is all.
I was QUITE relieved.
Again, don't ask, don't tell; I did not say anything more than THANK YOU!
_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:35 am Post subject: |
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| Jon_slider wrote: |
| it is really not that hard to find a smog shop to do the test, and once you find one, you can go back every 2 years, its not like you need a different shop every smog test.. |
EXACTLY!
I keep a folder of old printouts. They review them. It seems to help.
_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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j_dirge
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 4641
Location: Twain Harte, CA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:43 am Post subject: |
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| Jon_slider wrote: |
> It is thier job to find out.. if they don't know.
> And if they are reluctant to look up the EO, then you can file a complaint.
sounds good in theory
in the real world, even the Evergreen college referee that turned me down was unwilling to look up the EO.. he insisted it was my job to provide it to him, as well as a complete parts list for him to verify.. yeah right... Im going to give him more fuel for him to refuse... joker..
I even had one smog shop go hysterical, telling me they would be subject to a 10,000 dollar fine if they smog a subaru Van with no bar code from CARB.. All of that info is wrong. and no, Im not going to report them, Im just not giving them my business..
it is really not that hard to find a smog shop to do the test, and once you find one, you can go back every 2 years, its not like you need a different shop every smog test.. |
Its not theory.
Those are the rules.
If you choose to use those rules, your complaint would not go unheard.
Did you have the KEP paper work in order when you were visiting with the hysterical tech?
Sounds like you did not.. or your swap was not EO compliant?
_________________
-89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
| danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
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Jon_slider
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007
Posts: 5091
Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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sc-surfer
Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2005
Posts: 865
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Jon_slider wrote: |
Congratulations!
I was unable to get a bar code from a referee for my 1990 Subaru 2.2 powered Van, but have found a smog shop in Santa Cruz I can work with, and also passed.
I had told them on the phone about it being a Subaru, executive order, bla bla.. they said come on in..
After passing the test they said, "if you had not told us it was a subaru, we would not have known".. I took that as a hint not to mention it in the future..
Knowing what I know now, I wish I had a 2.5..
A |
Good to know!! I'll get the name of the shop from you when the time comes for me to deal with it!!
_________________
'89 Syncro Westy
Catalog of Vans at SDM 2010
Westfalia, Syncro & Tristar Reproduction decals here.
* * * Coming Soon: Washable seat covers for westy bench seat...keep the pets off the upholstery! * * * |
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