Another reason to do a Auto to Manual tranny swap

[hozzmanrx7]

at lease here in the Republic of Californicatia.

I have a 1990 Vert manual, my friend has a 1990 Vert automatic. Quick reference for those that don't know, smog fails in Cali are primarily due to excess Hydrocarbons (HC) ppm.

We both took our Verts for smog check to different places albeit on the same day. His automatic measured 66 HC's at 15 MPH and 47 HC's at 25 MHP. Maximum on the print out was 118 HC's at 15 MPH and 93 HC's at 25 MHP, so of course he passed.

Here's the interesting part.

I measured 96 HC's at 15 MHP and 65 HC's at 25 MHP, so you'd think I also passed right?

Nope.

Max for my manual Vert was 83HC's at 15 MHP and 65HC's at 25 MPH. Talking to the smog tech, apparently the standards differ between Auto's and Manuals.

Where I'm going is that since the only way the smog computer knows what you have is by the VIN, you apparently have the best of both worlds (easier HC standards and joy of manual shifting) with a swapped 2nd Gen.

[Pete_89T2]

Originally Posted by hozzmanrx7

Where I'm going is that since the only way the smog computer knows what you have is by the VIN, you apparently have the best of both worlds (easier HC standards and joy of manual shifting) with a swapped 2nd Gen.

So what you're saying is that in the socialist republic of CA, if the VIN says the car is an auto, but you have a manual swapped in, you have a better chance of passing the smog test because the pass standard for the auto trans VIN version is lower/easier.

Don't they also do a visual inspection for mods in CA? How do they not miss the fact that the tranny doesn't match the VIN?

[hozzmanrx7]

Ask a smog tech. I suppose it can be overridden.

But production shops pretty much just punch in the VIN and proceed as their focus is whats bolted to the engine as it relates to emission control.

[Rotary Evolution]

bleh, the tranny mounts are about 6" off on the auto chassis, i never really cared for the swap with either an adapter or by doing it proper and welding on manual mount tabs.

[Tanj!]

Interesting. Never knew that the chassis differed between automatic and manual cars.

[hozzmanrx7]

^Not that much different. Just the mounting points for the tranny mount are different. Otherwise, pretty much the same.

[DriFD3S]

I live in Alberta, there are no emission standards.
straight pipes...
straight pipes everywhere.

[RETed]

Why are you commenting in this FC section when you don't even own one?

Non-turbo FC's running straight pipe all sound like ass...


-Ted

[Rotary Evolution]

plus any decent tech is going to flag the car as a manual transmission to CARB once they put it on the rollers and they likely may put you in the more strict tables(if they don't fail you immediately for the modification).

[hozzmanrx7]

Originally Posted by Rotary Evolution

plus any decent tech is going to flag the car as a manual transmission to CARB once they put it on the rollers and they likely may put you in the more strict tables(if they don't fail you immediately for the modification).

Which is why you don't go to just any Smog station, target high volume shops who are more focused on churning the cars through quickly. Or shops that know you as a faithful repeat customer. Ounce of prevention more valuable than a pound of cure.

Reality, in the enthusiasts world dealing with smog checks is a game of hide and seek. Who ever plays the game the smartest dwelling in areas of grey stays in the game.

[Rotary Evolution]

but smog is usually very clean or very dirty. sometimes a slight leniency helps but most of the time the cars fail miserably or pass with flying colors.

[hozzmanrx7]

What got my attention is a recent smog I had done on my '90 Vert, all stock including original cat it would have passed by a comfortable margin vs. the Auto's max numbers. But it barely failed with my 30% lower max numbers. I shoe horned in a new cat and got it done anyway, but would have loved avoiding that extra hassle and expense.

New aftermarket cats have such a short life, so would have to again deal with that hassle and expense next time around in two years. But I wouldn't using the stock cat giving the more lenient tolerance apparently given Automatic wanklemobiles. It still makes no sense to me why the difference, but I guess that's the great state of Californicatia for you.