URGENT - need smog advice

[twobone]

The dealer is telling me that the car is having trouble passing smog tests.

 

They are going to try to lean out the webers, but we may need a plan B

 

Question:

 

Do you think they can just remove the exhaust after the 4 into 1 collector, remove the heat sheild and attach a small catalytic converter before the muffler?

 

Will that likely get me thru a smog test?

 

Advice please.

 

If that does work, should I have them fab up a complete CAT and exhaust system from the 4 into 1 collector back that I just swap in and back out to pass smog every 2 years. That way it does not effect the stock exhaust system?

 

I would only do this if experience with crossflows is that the addition of a CAT really hurts performance or sound

[snookwheel]

Leaning out the carbs just may do it. I had an old 911 SC with triple webbers on both sides and no cat. Your eyes would bleed standing behind it for long.

 

If I leaned out the carbs, ran hard to the testing facility, there was no one in line so I could pull right in..... I could get it through. Of course this was a lotta years ago in Florida. the equipment may have become much more sophisticated.

 

Thank goodness they don't test here anymore!!

 

Scott

[slngsht]

have them lean out the carbs and pray it works... adding a cat without having a closed loop system is a crap shoot.

[BrunnyS1]

As I said before when you brought this up in your other threads, this could be a big problem, these were always dirty old engines and the performance mods put on the engine for use in the Caterham just added to that.

[SkinnyG]

A cat can usually get rid of a lot of HC and CO, even if it's not a "closed loop" system - we had cats with carbies for years before EFI. High NOx, on the other hand, may need an EGR added, or tuning to deal with - but reducing NOx usually increases HC and CO.

 

There are fuel additives out there that can help too.

 

What is it registered as? (ie: what smog specs do you have to pass?)

[twobone]

i will find out the results if the dealer can't get it passed.

 

Im really pissed he is trying to sell it before bothering to get it e.tested which he knows will be required to transfer ownership

[BrunnyS1]

You might want to call Chris at this shop, if he dont have the answer then dont buy it:

 

http://www.sevenselans.com/sevens_home.htm

 

But I think you might be pissing in the wind trying to get this car smogged.

Do you know if it was ever registered and passed smog, etc... anywhere in North America, where did the car come from, any history at all ?

Edited July 28, 2010 by BrunnyS1

[BMW RACER]

Do you know what the HC, CO and NOX limits are?

 

Do you know what the readings are on your car?

 

Also while a cat will clean up the emissions, I'm concerned about that Cortina motor on Webers creating so much pollutants that the converter will have a heart attack trying to make it clean 8-)

 

Also, is this a one shot deal or do you have to do this every year or two?

[twobone]

recently imported from japan.

 

I will try to get the readings. I might consider having two systems. One for the test every two years and one for the rest of the time

 

My heart will break if this deal dies

[slngsht]

don't give up so easily... is the test a dyno test, or just emissions at idle?

[bball7754]

Are you in Ontario? A quick Google search found a brochure for the Drive Clean program that indicates that Kit Cars and "Historic" vehicles are exempt. Possible to get it registered as a Kit Car?

 

I think you'd get the tail pipe test, which apparently doesn't test the NOx level. Before I registered my Cross Flow Caterham under a program that doesn't require emissions tests, I took it to have one just to see. I passed the CO (allowed 5.00%, had 1.93%), but failed on the HC (allowed 500 PPM, had 1527 PPM).

 

I think the only thing you'll be able to lean out is the idle - everything else would require a change in jets.

[scannon]

One trick some people have used around here is to add a few gallons of E85 to the tank just before the test but long enough to get it mixed in and through the system.

 

I have a new Caterham one piece catalytic/muffler for a side exit exhaust for sale that may work for you. It was designed for a Zetec motor but should work on most any Seven. PM me if you are interested.

[slngsht]

Are you in Ontario? A quick Google search found a brochure for the Drive Clean program that indicates that Kit Cars and "Historic" vehicles are exempt. Possible to get it registered as a Kit Car?

 

I think you'd get the tail pipe test, which apparently doesn't test the NOx level. Before I registered my Cross Flow Caterham under a program that doesn't require emissions tests, I took it to have one just to see. I passed the CO (allowed 5.00%, had 1.93%), but failed on the HC (allowed 500 PPM, had 1527 PPM).

 

I think the only thing you'll be able to lean out is the idle - everything else would require a change in jets.

If there is no NOx measurement, a good tune and lean mixture will get almost any pig through :leaving:

[twobone]

IT PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!

 

HCPPM started as 74 with a max allowed of 66

 

They teaked and turned it down to 52 PPM.

 

Lets just hope that it is repeatable in 2 years!

 

Thank you guys for your advice and words of support.

 

Really appreciated!

[scannon]

Now you need to tweak it back up to where it runs the best. Congrats on the new car and passing smog, time for the real fun to start.

[twobone]

almost there. The mechanic who detuned it did not retune it properly so I could not take delivery. She was backfiring like an SOB

 

Hopefully she will be ready tomorrow. I guess I may be in the market for a Cat converter after all so I'm ready in 2 years for the e.test.