California Will Start Testing for ECU Tunes

[Adower]

Everyone in California better get in good with their local testing centers. Its not what you know but WHO you know.

Unfortunately, the government will continue to force us into electric vehicles. In the next few years expect gas prices to sky rocket and dont be surprised if E-85 goes away. There are no incentives for automakers to make flex fuel vehicles. Once the current flex fuel vehicles are off the road there will be no need for pump E-85.

I pray that E-85 does not go away. Literally a E-85 pump 30 seconds from my house :/

I'll tell you what. I used to pay 300$ for a hot smog. Now its over 500$.

 

[Adower]

Not entirely. The change is that they can now compare your file to a database of stock and CARB approved tunes.

True. However, I know for sure they were reffing persons with aftermarket tunes within the past year.

 

[Adower]

I've heard but can't confirm, that the SCT (or other tuning device) alters in some way a part of the file name. No changes to the cal files themselves but stands out as from a no-oem source. I'm not up to speed enough on these things to fully understand how this works, exactly, or what the best course of action is to avoid hassles. My "stock" tune is a Roush CARB EO tune, so if this is what's happening the only sure way I see would be to send my ECU to Roush, have it flashed with the same tune again?
I reached out to Roush recently and asked about this exact situation and they seem to think that my "stock" tune file should be OK, but I keep hearing things that leave doubts in my mind.

I know for sure that you can have a tune via SCT and revert back to the stock tune and be okay. My buddy just passed a couple months ago in this scenario.

 

[ON D BIT]

While it can be hard to modify your car in Cali, we at Livernois Motorsports do offer tunes that are legal for sale in all 50 states for the 11-2020 mustang gt as well as the 2.3 ecoboost 15-20, as well as other vehicles.

Your tune is smog II compliant? Or that your tune was compliant prior to these new rules?

I know for sure that you can have a tune via SCT and revert back to the stock tune and be okay. My buddy just passed a couple months ago in this scenario.

It starts next week. We have yet to see if they can see/deny smog if there was ever a tune in the vehicle. I would not leave it past CA to outlaw any tune.

 

[Adower]

Your tune is smog II compliant? Or that your tune was compliant prior to these new rules?


It starts next week. We have yet to see if they can see/deny smog if there was ever a tune in the vehicle. I would not leave it past CA to outlaw any tune.

https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/BAG/202107/BAR-OIS_Modified_Software.pdf

Page 7, looks like they're just looking for the stock tune. If it fails they're asking to revert back to stock.

• If the inspected vehicle’s data does not match an approved configuration, then the vehicle fails for “Modified Software”.
  
  
• California Air Resources Board (CARB) Executive Order (EO) approved software will be allowed.
  
  
• Preliminary analysis indicates 5-10 vehicles will fail per day statewide for Modified Software.
  

6

MODIFIED SOFTWARE REPAIR AND RETEST

• The vehicle’s software must be restored to an OEM version or a CARB EO approved version.
  
  
• Once restored, the vehicle may be retested at any licensed Smog Check station.
  

 

[wckdvnm]

So my CARB sticker EO# D-598-7 says...

"The Mustang GT Supercharger Kit, consists of the following main components: 2.3L Twin Screw Whipple supercharger using a 3.375 inch diameter pulley, intercooler, intake manifold, bypass valve, reflashed ECM, dual port throttle body, new fuel injectors, modified air cleaner lid with stock hydrocarbon absorber, and a new air intake tube from air cleaner to the throttle body. The breather hose may be replaced with an SAE30R9 rated hose. Boost is limited to a maximum of 10 psi. The stock crankshaft pulley, mass air flow sensor element, fuel pump, and radiator thermostat are retained during installation. The mass air flow sensor element is reinstalled in the air cleaner lid which is the same location as stock"

I meet all these requirements, and it looks as though the verbiage would suggest the the ECM reflash is necessary to make everything play nice. I *think* I'll be okay... but I can be certain the stock tune from Ford isn't going to make my car run very well.

What car is this for? I know for the 03/04 cobra’s the E.O. Is for the factory tune unfortunately.

 

[03cobra#694]

'll tell you what. I used to pay 300$ for a hot smog. Now its over 500$.

What's this? I've never heard of it.

 

[ur bittn]

Illegal smog guys, I never had to use one but know a lot of people that do.

 

[Blkkbgt]

True. However, I know for sure they were reffing persons with aftermarket tunes within the past year.

If you do some searching you'll find evidence this has been going on for years. They have been using the check sum to bust other cars for some time now. BMW, Subaru, Mitsubishi, GM guys have all been busted. I've found posts 3+ years old IIRC.

However what us new from my understanding is the retroactive Ref summons. That means they are being even more proactive in coming after people now rather than wait another 2 years.

 

[Blkkbgt]

What's this? I've never heard of it.

Think of clean piping.

Honestly I don't know how this would work now because they are scanning your computer and one of the things that has to match is the VIN then there's the check sum and calibration comparison.

With all of these checks plus the fact that California has already proven they'll throw smog techs in jail for this stuff I don't see it happening anymore.

The being tossed in jail threat killed off a lot of hookups back in the mid to late 2000s. California did a sweep in the bay area and it scared the **** out of smog techs.

It was so bad at one point some shops wouldn't even test CARB legal parts. I have a CARB legal blower on my car and during that time I was told to leave immediately by 2 different shop owners and a 3rd accused me to having a fake CARB sticker on my blower, it was insane.

 

[CobraBob]

I haven't really looked into this yet, but how can they tell the tune isn't part of a package with a CARB EO #?

That’s what I was wondering. If Livernois has an approved tune for CA use, what determines whether a tune is legal on inspection? Does it have an electronic “stamp” of some sort? Even if it does, what features make it legal in CA?



Sent from my iPhone using the svtperformance.com mobile app

 

[ON D BIT]

In CA it has to be carb legal and pass the sniffer test which is the main component of smog 2 I believe.
Would love to get another FiST with upgraded turbo but need to wait for Kiley I believe. Haha.

 

[me32]

In CA it has to be carb legal and pass the sniffer test which is the main component of smog 2 I believe.
Would love to get another FiST with upgraded turbo but need to wait for Kiley I believe. Haha.

FIST was a great little fun car. Big turbo would be fun.

 

[03yllwguy]

.

 

[RedVenom48]

So my CARB sticker EO# D-598-7 says...

"The Mustang GT Supercharger Kit, consists of the following main components: 2.3L Twin Screw Whipple supercharger using a 3.375 inch diameter pulley, intercooler, intake manifold, bypass valve, reflashed ECM, dual port throttle body, new fuel injectors, modified air cleaner lid with stock hydrocarbon absorber, and a new air intake tube from air cleaner to the throttle body. The breather hose may be replaced with an SAE30R9 rated hose. Boost is limited to a maximum of 10 psi. The stock crankshaft pulley, mass air flow sensor element, fuel pump, and radiator thermostat are retained during installation. The mass air flow sensor element is reinstalled in the air cleaner lid which is the same location as stock"

I meet all these requirements, and it looks as though the verbiage would suggest the the ECM reflash is necessary to make everything play nice. I *think* I'll be okay... but I can be certain the stock tune from Ford isn't going to make my car run very well.

So, in the instance of this kit, you ARE legal to run the Non-factory calibration that came with the kit. That calibration has been certified and listed with CARB. Once cross referenced by the Smog tech, the issue of non factory calibration being legal for use on your car as part of the kit is resolved.

 

[jmsa540]

Isn't this a form of a search?

Sent from my motorola one 5G using the svtperformance.com mobile app

 

[RedVenom48]

Isn't this a form of a search?

Sent from my motorola one 5G using the svtperformance.com mobile app

Technically I dont think it is. By owning and registering a vehicle as a CA resident in CA, you agree to all the roadway laws that govern the state. Part of that is passing smog if you live in a Smog check area. Your ECU calibration (tune) is part of the "emissions equipment" in CA. If they already have a mandate that all cars get a visual inspection and an OBD2 scan, thats an easily defended precedent in California court.

 

[jmsa540]

Gotcha..

Technically I dont think it is. By owning and registering a vehicle as a CA resident in CA, you agree to all the roadway laws that govern the state. Part of that is passing smog if you live in a Smog check area. Your ECU calibration (tune) is part of the "emissions equipment" in CA. If they already have a mandate that all cars get a visual inspection and an OBD2 scan, thats an easily defended precedent in California court.

Sent from my motorola one 5G using the svtperformance.com mobile app

 

[JJackson515]

although, I did not read everyones reply. I have kept a close eye on this. This is a joke and "easy" to manipulate if you know what youre doing as a tuner.

 

[me32]

although, I did not read everyones reply. I have kept a close eye on this. This is a joke and "easy" to manipulate if you know what youre doing as a tuner.

Can clarify, can PM if you want too.