Just got this back from Powerdyne....."Sorry, our LT1 kits are not CA smog legal at all."I can't really tell you how to
cheat the smog test without putting the company at risk. Unfortunately, you willneed to figure that one out. There are ways though. You will gain 80 rear hp with the 4.5 psi kit and about 120 rear hp with the 6 psi kit.


Sam Maston [samma@powerdyne.com]

 

Just undo the belt and disconnect the tubes then put on a cai (cold air induction) like a k&n, moroso, slp or something. Only has to be done every two years so its not a big deal.

Hal

 

Cool ! Guess i'll have to do that.Thanks !

 

I am sure the emissions in CA are stronger then most states but it beats choking in smog.

Hal

 

Not to get into an eco-debate, but airplanes, buses, freight trucks and factories put out more emissions than our cars...don't see much being done about that.

Were the PD kits supposed to be smog-legal?

 

To get those fixed would require a complete overhaul of our own government. You vote for Ralph Nader or just another big business lacky Republican or Democrate?

Hal

 

F*** Ralph Nader.

 

I don't know if just pulling the belt would do it for CA emissions because of the visual test...they get pretty bitchy about stuff. I have a '92 Silverado pickup. I pulled the heat riser tube coming from my exhaust manifold into the air cleaner off because it was getting grody. There's a valve in there that closes it off above idle, but the smog station went ballistic and made sure I had that thing on there before they would certify my truck, whether it passed or not. In fact, my truck is totally stock except for a magnaflow muffler and twin tips out the back, and it wouldn't pass the sniffer until the timing was backed down until the thing wouldn't run. I would think this would increase emissions, but I guess it was failing the NOx part which is a product of high cylinder pressure.

To just give you an example of how ridiculous it is here, they are cracking down on dirtbikes now because C.A.R.B. claims that a two-stroke motorcycle mile for mile produces as much smog creating emissions as something ridiculous like 120 new cars. And they also claim that the riding spots are close to cities that already have smog problems and contribute to it. Then they go as far as to limit when and where we can ride. If your bike is a 97 and newer two-stroke or an '00 and newer 4-stroke, they will only give you a red sticker which means you can only ride during certain months during the year in most spots. At least they can't bother me @ the track.

 

They have to pass you as long as its not hooked up. The heat riser is there to warm up the intake temp and is DEFINETLY a smog device (HAS TO BE ON). Otherwise on cold days certain bad gase levels will be too high. Just know the rules and you'll be OK.

They killed street 2 strokes a long time ago. Bummer is they were lighter and fast as all heck. Gas mowers will go the same way (4 stroke only) and don't even think about charcoal grilling if you live in LA. Can't say I have coughed from smog lately so it is worthwhile and necessary.

Hal

 

I agree, it just sucks that our hobby is being left in the hands of superficial bureaucrats. I am positive that 500hp motors can be built with current technology that can pass a CA sniffer, but you can't drive it on the street because all the parts won't be legal. Stuff that doesn't even matter such as removing the timing belt cover on a honda so that the cam gears are exposed. Why not just let us run what we want if it will pass the test?

I race personal watercraft (Jet-Skis) and we recieve a lot of flack from the politicians. A friend of mine met one of the guys who runs tests on the new watercraft for CARB; the guy drives a clapped out VW bus that pours black smoke out the tailpipe. Got a chance to talk to his boss, he's a collector of classic and muscle cars... How ironic.

 

Sell the powerdyne and get a Vortech. I think they make a street legal kit for the '96 year. I know the ATI P600B kit is legal on my '94. BTW, I passed the CA sniffer test no problem with my mods. It all has to do with tuning and your cats have to be up to snuff.

 

Yah, my buddy with a slammed '75 (needed to be smogged one last time) C10 with a tunnel rammed 454 and a TH400 passed it too...only cost him $400 for the proceedure...lol

 

Hal: I agree. We need to have emissions laws and they need to be enforced. I put my money where my mouth is on this one - I guess I have one of the most powerful F-bodys in existence running through cats. It will pass a tail-pipe test, and it has cost a fair amount to keep it "clean". So those are my bona fides.

That said, the current CA emissions laws for cars are ridiculous. They go way past the "sweet spot" on the cost/benefit curve. It's become religion and not science in CA.

Rich Krause

 

hey rich do u have a site w/ pics of ur car or vids or nething?....i hate emissions....i wish i didnt have to do them and MA has harsh inspection and emissions...

jake

 

There is some info (not completely up to date) about my car on the shop website www.kennedysdynotune.com

Rich