Re: Smog Test = GROSS POLLUTER

["Ian Overholt" <ioverholt@hotmail.com>]

OK you out-of-cali guys who know more about our smog checks than us!  BFG  
:)

Remember that a gasoline engine produces three chemicals that contribute to 
smog.  HC, CO and NOx.  As you tune a car, you can minimize two of these 
byproducts at a time while you increase the other.  You can lean the car out 
to reduce HC and CO, but the NOx will go up.  NOx goes down as the car is 
adjusted richer, but HC and CO go up.

Most states DO NOT TEST for NOx.  To my knowledge, California is the only 
state currently testing for NOx.  The visual inspection (in other states) is 
supposed to catch cars that might be putting out too much NOx.

So, bottom line.  In California if you are in an area that requires dyno 
smog checks, you have to be below the limit for HC, CO and NOx.  There is no 
way your car will meet the limit on all three chemicals without a working 
catalytic converter.  For those of you in areas where they do not measure 
NOx, count your lucky stars because you can pass the test without a cat.

Ian Overholt
'88 16v
'78 Champagne Edition


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