If the Hydra can be made to give a pass to OBD2 testing i think i am going to move towads that from my UTEC. I feel this would create a long term solution to emissions testing because that is what it will all be eventualy.

can anyone give me a firm answer?

thanks
-luke

If you want to retain OBD2 function, you'll need a reflash. You lose it with the Hydra.

If you want to retain OBD2 function, you'll need a reflash. You lose it with the Hydra.

Or a piggy-back. UTECs for example don't interfere with OBD2 operation.

I would not make any bets on your local government making changes such that OBDII is required for emissions testing. Very few states "require" the OBDII reading to pass emissions. My car with the Hydra installed can pass WA State emissions without OBDII in place. Passing emissions is all about idle and closed loop fueling here in WA State, test are done on a "dyno" of sorts with a sensor up the tail pipe.

Or a piggy-back. UTECs for example don't interfere with OBD2 operation.


OP said he was looking to get away from the UTEC. XEDE is another piggyback that might work well for him.

FYI NJ, PA and NY are states that now do OBDII inspections. More are sure to follow.

I would not make any bets on your local government making changes such that OBDII is required for emissions testing. Very few states "require" the OBDII reading to pass emissions. My car with the Hydra installed can pass WA State emissions without OBDII in place. Passing emissions is all about idle and closed loop fueling here in WA State, test are done on a "dyno" of sorts with a sensor up the tail pipe.

According to the state of WA emissions FAQ, they use OBDII testing on all cars 1996 and newer. I believe every state that does emissions testing now does it first by OBDII and some allow you to take a secondary sniffer test. Most however do not. WI and IL here just recently cut back staff and hours at testing facilities since doing the OBDII scan is so much faster.

FYI NJ, PA and NY are states that now do OBDII inspections. More are sure to follow.

As of like 2003, there were 20+ states that did OBDII testing.

To say PA as a state does it is false. Only counties that meet certain population requirements have to do emissions testing in PA. My little ol county of pike does not do any :)

WA state does OBDII testing on 1996 and newer as stated above, I Just took in my old car 2000 and they did OBDII testing only.

WA state does OBDII testing on 1996 and newer as stated above, I Just took in my old car 2000 and they did OBDII testing only.
sounds like you might be screwed, bboy :(

WA state does OBDII testing on 1996 and newer as stated above, I Just took in my old car 2000 and they did OBDII testing only.
So are '95 and older cars (OBD I etc.) exempt from emmissions testing in WA? Sounds like it.

I'd say that you'd be fine in all states except CA as long as you have a cat. Where do you live?

Pete

You aren't even allowed to breathe hard in CA.

Delaware checks OBD2. They check to see if all readiness codes are set and for faults(check engine). Oh and to answer your question if the Hydra will pass OBD2. No.

So are '95 and older cars (OBD I etc.) exempt from emmissions testing in WA? Sounds like it.

I'd say that you'd be fine in all states except CA as long as you have a cat. Where do you live?

Pete
No, the older cars just get the standard sniffer test.

You should be able to get an inspector to do a sniffer test rather than an OBDII test in some states.

now how would someone go about with their car if they have a hydra and need to get their car smogged? what if the car passes the sniffer test? can it then be sent to a ref show that their are no CEL or any other malfunctions? im in CA by the way with a 2k 2.5rs with a hydra...

Let me start off by saying no aftermarket ECU is OBD2 legal. You can get a very stiff fine no matter what ECU you choose to run if you get caught.

With that said the Hydra EMS does not have OBD2 so nothing will show if an OBD2 reader is plugged in. I have heard of some playing stupid and a tail pipe test was substituted. All counties are different in regards to OBD2 testing or emissions. For example I had a car get an exemption because it was too low to drive over the dyno rollers :lol:

What I did with my Hydra equipped car to pass the OBD2 test was to reinstall my catalytic converter, stock injectors, and OEM ecu. I drove under 60% TPS on the highway for about 30 seconds above 50 mph, pulled over, turn off the car, and repeated 4 times. This set all my readiness codes except one. In MD you are allowed to have one readiness code "incomplete" and pass. I took it straight to the testing center and voila passed.

I would say this whole process took about 2 hours to install a cat, oem ecu, and oem fuel injectors (STI side feeds are great!). To do this once every two years to ensure I have the best possible ECU for the level of modifications to my car is well worth it.

I have heard from my other customers that they just run a "big MAF" so they don't even need to swap the injectors.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,
Phil
www.elementtuning.com

I'm with Phil... it's not THAT much work on a once-every-two-years basis to bring your car back to a "nearly stock" state for testing. I remember pulling an entire AEM system AND turbo kit off my integra in about 3-4 hours before smog test.

An added benefit to this is that driving your car stock for a week or so really reminds you how far you've come. We all have a way of getting "adapted" to our mods.

Delaware checks OBD2. They check to see if all readiness codes are set and for faults(check engine). Oh and to answer your question if the Hydra will pass OBD2. No.

The Georgetown inspection station does not use OBD 2 as of January 06. I know because I passed with a sniffer.

-Chav