Need A Smog Shop for 2.2l in Santa Cruz...RESOLVED!

[dodgerbleu]

If you’re reading this, you’re likely looking for the answer that I hope someone will help us out with.

I have a CA legal KEP 2.2l conversion. My mechanic took it to three smog shops and they all turned him away, even with the executive order in hand and the KEP plaque in the engine bay.

Has anyone had success in Santa Cruz at a smog shop?

Or should I cave and drive to San Jose to the referee and plead for the BAR sticker?


UPDATE 11/15/21:

I passed!

Bobby's was great. They know the ej22 conversion well...which is good if you have a good conversion...bad if you left out some parts that are mandatory.

My hang-up was that my smog light wasn't labeled, and I had lost the decal from Small Car, so I had to order a new one which delayed me. Finally got it installed (PITA), and took it back to Bobby's. He said my engine was "very clean".

I'm so glad I found Bobby's and I fully recommend them if you have a Subaru swap!
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Wolfie the Westy
1985 Westfalia Wolfsburg ej22

[tgraham]

I've got a 1.8T with the BAR sticker

I've used https://www.ainsworthautorepairsantacruz.com

but they asked before the looked if I had all the paperwork. It does seem like the Bar sticker helps out significantly.

What are the other shops telling you?
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1990 Multivan/Weekender Auto 3.27 R&P SAH 1.8T

[dodgerbleu]

Thanks for the reply. I will give them a try.

I don't know exactly what the shops told him, he was helping me out b/c I haven't had time during the week. I'm pretty sure the first shop wanted to see a BAR sticker, and I showed him the KEP plaque, which he thought would suffice, but the next three shops didn't go for it.

I'm more inclined to just pull in to a place and have them smog it without discussing the conversion. It would probably be cleaner than other Vanagons they test.

If I whiff a few more times I'll head to San Jose to plead my case for the BAR sticker.
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Wolfie the Westy
1985 Westfalia Wolfsburg ej22

[syncrodoka]

Try Bobby's pit stop. I have a BAR sticker but they know about conversions so they may be able to help as long as you have everything you should.

[dodgerbleu]

Awesome, thanks.
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Wolfie the Westy
1985 Westfalia Wolfsburg ej22

[cmayna]

Maybe they'll give you a bowl of clam chowder while you wait Let us know how it goes with your testing.
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'90 Westy / automatic.
If I'm not working on the camper or my '50 Chebbie truck, I'm either fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.


Craig

[16CVs]

So tell me more about getting a stickers.

Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Mateo83]

There’s a place in Sunnyvale the the PO of my 83 used to “pass” smog

[Abscate]

[Nimbus'87]

Have been going to a ref since I've owned my Westy. 10+?yrs. Cheap, $8.25, and close. Last year they wouldn't give me an appointment till I'd done multiple phone calls with CARB and visited multiple smog stations and was turned down.
Finally after a month plus later, with appt. in hand, ref passed me as usual and issued the BAR sticker. They are trying to move everyone away from the ref. so NOW they are issuing the BAR code.

I'd personally prefer to keep seeing my ref...oh well. Now to shell out the $$ next time and hope the smog tech knows not to pinch off lines and or pressurize the smog system etc.

Sorry I can't help you directly with your situ.
G'luck.
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'87 Wolfram Grey Westy. '92 2.2 Subie, KEP/Calif. Reg.

[invisible]

I took mine to Santa Cruz Tire and Auto Care on Soquel ave. About 6 months ago.

I brought in print outs of the BAR EO and KEP diagrams but I'm not sure they cared, they seemed comfortable with the Vanagon/EJ22 conversion.

Quick and easy!

[dodgerbleu]

Appointment at Bobby's Pit Stop today at 3:00. I explained conversion over phone and he asked if there was an EO code (yes, it's on KEP paperwork/plaque). He seems comfortable doing it, so we will see!

Updates coming this afternoon!
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Wolfie the Westy
1985 Westfalia Wolfsburg ej22

[dodgerbleu]

Good news....and bad news!

Bad news first, I wasn't able to get my smog check...yet!


Bobby's was great, and they do seem to have practical knowledge of the KEP conversion. So much so, that they noticed that my check engine light was missing (which it isn't, it's in the dash). He mentioned that CE lights are often at the ECU (again, great knowledge).

I have the small car dash insert to install, then I will head back. He said everything else looks good to go, so update coming soon!
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Wolfie the Westy
1985 Westfalia Wolfsburg ej22

[dodgerbleu]

Success! I've edited my original post so that people don't have to scroll to the bottom for my results, but Bobby's Pit Stop in Santa Cruz is my spot for smog with my CA legal ej22 conversion. Woohoo!
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Wolfie the Westy
1985 Westfalia Wolfsburg ej22

[syncrodoka]

Good to hear that you got it squared away.