Oh and is it really that hard to pass smog. You can't just buy a new cat and run a stock intake? Human stupidity know no bounds so I figure most people can manage to get even that right.
California smog gets tougher by the day. Jdm motors are now Illegal no matter what and if you get caught with one in your car you will be sent to the state smog refree and must install a stock motor for your car matching the year or nwer but must be the same obd based ecu
Its not that easy just to throw on a cat. for example even if the car passes the tailpipe test if at anytime a check engine light pops up the car is failed
If any vacuum lines are not matching to the oem manual car is failed even if passes tailpipe test
Yes its that picky and the smog techs who cheat the system can be sent to prison/huge fines that would throw them at of the business. I believe after being caught a 2nd time you lose the ability forever to be a smog tech
Also they are videotaped while smogging you car and the vin's/registration papers are scanned numerous times to make sure they are legit
My old smog dude was charging 400 to pass cars illegally and it was pretty clever. I dont want to get into it since some fool may to try to pass the info on but it worked and he never got caught.
He ended up getting out of the automotive field like everyone does here due to the laws/rules and went into the Navy as an officer.