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Old 11-26-2013, 06:45 PM   #1
Scoobysnax5280
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Default Im moving to california and need questions answered

Hey everyone I moving to San Francisco California from my home state of Colorado because of a job opportunity. I need to know what the no-no's of modding in California and how strict they are on the street ( getting pulled over and asking about mods and ticketing ) . My wrx wagon is Catless ( which I know is no good ) and is 2.75 inch straight piped so it's very loud . my car is also quite low on the coilovers it sits on . Please let me know what your opinions and experiences and laws you know of . Thanks !
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Old 11-26-2013, 06:48 PM   #2
Big-E
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Old 11-26-2013, 06:49 PM   #3
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Don't forget to set aside like 4 million dollars for a 200 square foot efficiency that you have to time share with an Armenian family of 8.
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Old 11-26-2013, 06:58 PM   #4
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you will have to smog to get a CA plates. also youll need to apply for your drivers license with in ten days with full writen, eye and insurance.

passing smog means all after market parts need to be carb legal and in good running order down to the gas cap. youll need to pass 2002 smog
prime requisites. the lowest part of the head lights must not be lower then 22 inches.

cops are cops just don't be a moron and you will be fine.
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Old 11-26-2013, 07:06 PM   #5
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Fu** CA hahahahahha

everyone I know that lives there is going back to stock because they are cracking down.
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Old 11-26-2013, 07:09 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by niamh View Post
Fu** CA hahahahahha

everyone I know that lives there is going back to stock because they are cracking down.
I dunno about cracking down, but I think we like that the toughest emissions of all 50 states yeah?
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Old 11-26-2013, 07:16 PM   #7
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I live in SF bay. and will not bend over. Not going stock. EVER!!!1!!11! It really depends on the area and just how you drive. Just avoid the cannon style exhausts.

edit: you won't get busted for being low. You will get attention for the straight pipe and then busted for no cat. Get a quieter exhaust, anything but straight pipe. And fly under the radar, can still run no cats if your exhaust isn't ear splitting.
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Old 11-26-2013, 07:19 PM   #8
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Ask that this thread be moved to BAIC so you don't have to sift through all the **** the non-California monkeys are throwing at you.
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Old 11-26-2013, 07:20 PM   #9
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What makes me laugh are the voluntary roadside smog checks out here in ca... If you get flagged into one, you tell them to kick rocks and be on your way, plus those portable smog units are not made for awd

If you're running catless out here you may get caught, the straight pipe isn't gonna help at all either
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Old 11-26-2013, 07:54 PM   #10
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If you don't have a stock cat, get one. You WILL have to have it to smog. You will also need it to register your out of state car here too. My NY car had a visual inspection at the DMV when I registered it in CA. They LOOK under the hood.

After market cats are illegal here too. Only stock or a professional replacement cat(I forgot what the law says about it, but its a pain) is allowed.

Yes, they occasionally have road side smog checks. They are voluntary, but you DO HAVE TO STOP and talk to the officer. Just POLITELY tell them you would not want to have your car smoged.

Oh and get a QUITER exhaust!!!
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Old 11-26-2013, 07:54 PM   #11
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Keep your Colorado plates until they expire and in the mean time head over to the i-club and get to know some bay area folks who might be able to give you some assistance in person. You aren't going to get anywhere on the internets unless you bite the bullet and go stock.
You will have to go back to stock or to CARB legal parts to get a legit smog certificate, but I'm sure there are crooked folks out there who will smog your car for a price. I've heard they charge a great deal as they are risking their license and substantial fines if they pass someone who shouldn't be passed.

C/N - sell your car and buy a Prius.
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Old 11-26-2013, 07:56 PM   #12
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The car being low is no big deal. Straight pipe and catless won't fly, you'll get stopped for being loud and then they may take a look at the exhaust. Smog control is extremely strict. If I were you, I'd definitely get a muffler and catted downpipe. You won't be able to register your car without them, due to the smog check.

I grew up in Marin, just North of SF, I'm down there frequently. I was stopped for speeding and was given some grief about my tint, by the CHP. I have a catted DP and 2 resonators in my exhaust, so there was no mention of that. The 2 front windows can't be tinted, the back 5 can be as dark as you want. Technically, your wagon is considered a SUV so you can limo tint the rear windows.

There are lots of modded cars, you just need to fly under the radar and you'll be good. The police have their hands full with gang activity and more serious crimes, don't draw attention to yourself. If/when you do get stopped be extremely polite and cool. I've been let go numerous times for, what could have been, serious offenses because of my demeanor. Cops don't want to bother with the paperwork for the trivial ****.

FYI, definitely have full coverage insurance. It won't be cheap in SF but there is a fair bit of car theft and vandalism. Unless you're paying extra for a garage, your car will be on the street.
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Old 11-26-2013, 08:01 PM   #13
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I have a modded STI with all kinds of stuff done that are NOT legal. I NEVER get any crap from cops. Even have tinted windows that are pretty dark. Some people talk about cops giving you hell..the way I look at it is don't be rude or a dumb ass. As far as passing smog that might be a problem unless you know someone who can hook it up
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Old 11-26-2013, 08:04 PM   #14
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757 Rider is correct with tinted windows. Only windows behind the driver can be tinted.

You never said if you have any other mods, like a front mount inter cooler, a non-CARB intake, etc, etc.

You can get away with some of those, but it also depends on the inspector too.

As was said I-Club has a great Bay Area forum. Great for help and local parts.
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Old 11-26-2013, 10:28 PM   #15
Scoobysnax5280
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Thanks guys . this have been a lot of help . I do not have a modded intake and I am running stage 2 access port Tune . I have no mods done under the hood really . But I do have 32 way adjustable coilovers that obviously have a damper control sticking out . I have a check engine on for my gas cap sensor ( I would post the code if I knew off the top of my head ) but it clears for atleast a day so I should be ok correct ? Also glad to meet all you bay Subaru folk and hopefully soon in person ! Also how are the meets and cruises out there ?


P.s. To all the gypsies that commented that are from California .........thanks ***128536;
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Old 11-26-2013, 10:58 PM   #16
Bikelok
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Hey, you probably will need to properly fix that CEl for the gas thing. If you clear it to soon before the smog check you will fail because of the ECU reset. It generally takes 100-200 miles after a reset for the ECU to be systems ready.

Edit: If the intake does not look too funky you might be ok. Otherwise try to find a stock one to throw on for the check.

With the accessport you should be ok. Perhaps drop down to stage 1 with a stock cat.

Don't worry about any suspension stuff as long as the bumper is off the ground.
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Old 11-26-2013, 11:01 PM   #17
Scoobysnax5280
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Can't edit my last post but it's supposed to say aren't in the last part not Are .
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Old 11-27-2013, 12:27 PM   #18
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I drove on MA plates for almost a year after i moved here so it can be done but i did drop down to stage 1 with just a catback exhaust to not draw attention.
Definitely do not go straightpipe/catless, there is a huge fine and they can impound your car i believe if you have no cat.
Even with an intake you will have to prove it is carb legal.
You will not be able to pass with check engine light and you can't just clear it either or they will know. Like someone mentioned probably have to put 100 miles on the car without the light coming back on in order for it to pass.
They ride height of the car doesn't seem to matter too much out here, they didn't even check the lights or anything on my car.
And yes, watch out for the random roadside smog checks, they can be avoided though.
Good luck, and welcome to CA! (If you have any questions regarding SF, PM me)
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Old 11-27-2013, 03:29 PM   #19
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Thanks bugeye829 . I would really like to stay Catless . But I can throw some resonators or a muffler on it . Is the gas really that bad out there ? Every one says it's the watered down piss water that Bp and chevron recycle . Who can tell me if that's right ?
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Old 11-27-2013, 03:32 PM   #20
Scoobysnax5280
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Also I DONT have a modded intake . Also I don't if anyone here is running a Catless system but do you think I will need my stock carted uppipe to pass even with a stock exhaust ?
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Old 11-28-2013, 03:26 AM   #21
Bikelok
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scoobysnax5280 View Post
Also I DONT have a modded intake . Also I don't if anyone here is running a Catless system but do you think I will need my stock carted uppipe to pass even with a stock exhaust ?
Don't worry about the up pipe. You will need a stock down pipe though. You will pass easy as long as you have a stock down pipe, even with a catless up pipe. The up pipes cat is primarily a cold start cat. Meant to cut down emissions before the main cats warm up.
Resonators won't be enough, you will need a real exhaust, with a muffler. Loud cars get pulled over.

Yes we only get 91 octane.
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Old 11-30-2013, 01:34 PM   #22
Zataks
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bikelok View Post

Yes we only get 91 octane.
Maybe in SF proper. Down here (San Jose) there are a handful of stations that provide as high as 100 octane.
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Old 12-02-2013, 09:11 PM   #23
Scoobysnax5280
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So I have picked up a stock sti exhaust this weekend for a whole 70$ with only 20k on it . Probably run that for emissions and pick up one for daily . Ok I guess the gas cap sensor will have to get looked at . Also I forgot to mention my parking break sensor is broken to so that will be another fix . Tempted to buy a cheap daily (pre 68 bug )and just have a racecar .
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Old 12-03-2013, 12:18 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scoobysnax5280 View Post
Thanks guys . this have been a lot of help . I do not have a modded intake and I am running stage 2 access port Tune . I have no mods done under the hood really . But I do have 32 way adjustable coilovers that obviously have a damper control sticking out . I have a check engine on for my gas cap sensor ( I would post the code if I knew off the top of my head ) but it clears for atleast a day so I should be ok correct ? Also glad to meet all you bay Subaru folk and hopefully soon in person ! Also how are the meets and cruises out there ?


P.s. To all the gypsies that commented that are from California .........thanks ***128536;
1) unless your tune is for 91, you will need a re-tune for 91 octane. E85 is reasonably available around here if you really want performance.

2) the coilovers nobody will care about. Too low is technically not legal, but you won't get a ticket for it unless you catch a cop on a bad day or are being a douche to a cop.

3) As mentioned, you need a stock downpipe for smog, find one in Colorado before you leave. People hang on to theirs in CA, because they swap back for SMOG

4) Unless your tune has force pass on readiness, you will need to get your gas cap CEL worked out. If you recently reset your ECU, it will come up with several readiness monitors not passed when they scan it. By the time they're passed, the gas cap CEL will be on.

5) Any amount of front tint is illegal, and people have been pulled and ticketed for it.

Straight pipe is illegal, even if under the legal dB limit. You don't need much of a muffler to get under the legal dB limit, but you need a muffler. IMO, even though the loud exhausts are technically legal, they will get you the wrong kind of attention, get something that isn't too loud.

TBH, most people who complain of being hassled by cops have a lot of exterior mods that make it pretty obvious their car is modded. I've never had an issue in 12 years, but my car is basically stock exterior. I have wheels, I have swift springs that have a pretty mild drop and the Borla Hush keeps things from being obnoxious.
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Old 12-03-2013, 12:29 PM   #25
Scoobysnax5280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Concillian View Post
1) unless your tune is for 91, you will need a re-tune for 91 octane. E85 is reasonably available around here if you really want performance. 2) the coilovers nobody will care about. Too low is technically not legal, but you won't get a ticket for it unless you catch a cop on a bad day or are being a douche to a cop. 3) As mentioned, you need a stock downpipe for smog, find one in Colorado before you leave. People hang on to theirs in CA, because they swap back for SMOG 4) Unless your tune has force pass on readiness, you will need to get your gas cap CEL worked out. If you recently reset your ECU, it will come up with several readiness monitors not passed when they scan it. By the time they're passed, the gas cap CEL will be on. 5) Any amount of front tint is illegal, and people have been pulled and ticketed for it. Straight pipe is illegal, even if under the legal dB limit. You don't need much of a muffler to get under the legal dB limit, but you need a muffler. IMO, even though the loud exhausts are technically legal, they will get you the wrong kind of attention, get something that isn't too loud. TBH, most people who complain of being hassled by cops have a lot of exterior mods that make it pretty obvious their car is modded. I've never had an issue in 12 years, but my car is basically stock exterior. I have wheels, I have swift springs that have a pretty mild drop and the Borla Hush keeps things from being obnoxious.

I have an access port So I have a map for California 91 . I can clear my codes but I am not sure on what force pass is ? I have bought a stock sti exhaust . And I am thinking about getting a Catless exhaust with a nice muffler on it for daily . Also I would like to know more about the meets that happen in San Fran and down towards portolla valley , as I will be living there .
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