It's time to get my car ready for smog. Not just any smog inspection, its the California "Star" smog inspection. So what can I do to prep my car? spark plugs? cap/rotor? wires? ignition coil? seafoam? new 02 sensor?

My car runs ok, but it's kinda difficult to start it up sometimes. Other than that, I have no other issues.

 

You're just ****ed. Haha

Seriously, we can't answer that question without knowing how many miles are on what components or knowing how it runs in every aspect in person. It would all be guessing and BS.

So, how many miles are on what?

BTW, noticed you are in Wasco, what EPA zone is that? Same as Bako? For example I have my GTA registered at a friends in Lake Isabella because of the smog zone up there, there are no roller tests, tail pipe only plus the other usual stuff. On the roller tests in Bako I was failing NOx during the mid RPM load test because of the way the EGR passage is on the Accel manifold. I got it DAMN close with custom tuning but never passed. Tail pipe only, everything is clean as a whistle.

 

I live in Bako now. My smog test isn't due until Feb. The odometer says 140K and when i bought the car the dealership claimed it was a "rebuilt" engine. All i have on it is headers, exhaust, throttle body, and SLP runners.

 

Then I suppose we are working on the presumption that everything is 140K miles except the long block, perhaps even just the short block. Which means lots of things should be replaced.

Let's hope that the catalytic converters are OK for now. I would start with the spark plugs and o2 sensor. I would end up spraying about a Windex bottle size worth of water down it's gullet to clean out everything. Be sure it's on a fresh oil change and the air filter is clean too.

Be sure the fuel tank holds pressure, that the seal of the fuel cap is good, that the base timing has never been rednecked by anyone. Let it idle after driving it at FULL temp for 5mins, shut it off, then right away try to start it. That is also part of the test. Of course ANY check engine light will be instant fail. Wouldn't hurt to be sure the throttle valve cable is set correctly either. You could remove and clean your IAC too.

Go from there and see how it does. You may need new catalytic converter but won't know until you fail, unless you have an infrared temp gun to test yours.

Eventually I would replace the plug wires and ignition coil. Check the cap and rotor, the cap may be cracked or moisture has gotten in. Remove and apply new thermogrease to the bottom of the ignition module so it doesn't fail. So on and so forth. Injectors are also a big failure point on these cars.

There is an endless list but those are the basics. Oh, also when it's hella cold (like in Feb), be sure the car has been driven around the block at full temp right before they pull it into the smog machine. The hotter the cat is the better and it will cool quickly.