I am getting stationed at Vandenberg AFB, California in a few months. I was wondering if you California folks could tell me whether or not I will need emissions testing (I am keeping my non-emissions testing Kansas registration and plates) when I get there. The other thing I was considering is a full exhaust without cats. Since Kansas doesn't do any emissions garbage, I hope I don't have to conform to California standards. Any help from the California delegation would help a lot.

 

DUDE........when you get to California, make sure you have a cat or expect a big fine. My buddy got a ricer ride and got caught without a cat. He got a $2,000 fine plus going to court to prove he did add the cat back into the ride.

Check the CHP web-site since they just posted some new laws for modding rides..........

here are some links:

http://www.chp.ca.gov/pdf/04-37.pdf

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/streetlegal.html

hope these help

 

Untill you reg your vehicle in CA you just need to meet the emission laws of 49 states.as for lights etc you are to meet law in what ever state you are operating the vehcile in.
In other words if the vehcile is newer than 75 it HAS to have a WORKING cat.otherwise it is illegal.sTan

 

I believe Vandenberg AFB will require you to meet the local standards, out of state reg or not. Sorry bout dat.

 

When I was in the Navy and stationed in California I had my Camaro registered in New Hampshire. I only had to meet federal emission standards and not California. I don’t know if that has changed but I highly doubt it. Your move to California is due to the military and they can NOT require your vehicle to meet California emission standards if it was not “originally” equipped with California emissions.

In other words the military will NOT require you to modify your vehicle to meet standards it may have never been “originally” equipped with. The state of California does NOT over rule what the federal government requires, in this case the military. As was mentioned you will have to follow any other “ordinary” ordinances of California such as having to have a front license plate.

I believe all Lightning’s meet California emissions standards anyway. I bought my Lightning in New Hampshire and it is equipped and meets California emission standards from the factory. So if mine meets it then they all should, at least 2003 and 2004. Ford would not build some Lightning’s with California emissions and then others without it since they only made a small amount each year anyway. If they did they would limit themselves to how many Lightning’s they could sell in California…

Your best bet is to call the base and talk with them. They will have the answer and their answer over rules anything the state of California has to say…

As a matter of fact the last 5 vehicles I have bought in New Hampshire, 1995 Ranger, 1997 F150, 1999 Mustang, and 2001 F150 have all been equipped with California emissions…

 

I believe all Lightnings are california legal. Check your tag under the hood.

 

Only if you are applying to the ALL Stock Lightnings.
But his L is modified.
Even an open air intake is not legal in California due to C.A.R.B.
(Stands for California Air Resource Board)

Most local police will not know 100% of the smog laws but the one you have to watch out is the California Highway Patrols

I know for a fact that the pulley and the chip are not legal due to these upgrades will fail in a smog shop.

 

WRONG!

Your going to the Smog **** station or something. I know plenty of folks with pulleys, aftermarket parts (with no C.A.R.B. #'s) that pass CA smog with flying colors. That includes the visual, computer scan, and mini-dyno run.

I won't name anybody but one of my friends passed CA emissions with a 4lb lower, PSP tune, ported eaton, running alcohol injection.

But, not all places will be so easy (but quite a few places will). Just choose the shop you go to wisely (and ask around with local folks for what shops they recommend).

Steve

 

The problem is that most military bases try to follow a "good neighbor" policy. For example, Kirtland AFB, NM, where I served 6 years, required you to pass a smog check to drive on base, because it is in a county which requires smog checks. Never mind some folks live and register their vehicles in counties which don't require smog checks. If you have modified your L and can't pass smog, you may be hosed.

 

These are all good points to ponder. I will call and check, but the license plate thing will be null and void since Kansas only gives you one plate (I will be leaving my registration in Kansas of course). Maybe I'll just go ahead and order a full exhaust with the cats to be safe. One more question I just thought of would be the traction bars. Do you think they will have a s#%t fit because I have them installed? I really don't want to take them off and experience the horrible wheel hop again, especially cause I plan to race it since I'll be out of Wyoming and the altitude.

 

I live on base and see all sorts of out-of-state plates on vehicles. Nonresident service members here make it an effort to retain their original plating in order to prevent having to conform to Ca emissions laws and smog their vehicles. Call the KA DMV and see what they will require of you in order to retain your plates while stationed here.
Lastly, I passed smog with a ported blower, chip, filter, blower pulley, lowered, traction bars. No problem.

 

California Vehicle Code 6701 exempts active duty military and their spouse from registering their vehicle in California - you must however, have current and valid registration from your home state in your/ spouse's name, and insurance - not sure what requirements the military could place on you - but you are exempt from view of state - thus no smog required in CA - also, if your state only requires one license plate, then you are fine here also -

 

Steve,

I'm not so sure California has "friendly" smog check stations anymore. All certified shops are hooked up by computer to the state DMV. Information collected is being sent as the vehicle is being tested. That said, there are lots of modified L's that pass the test. I talked to Danny over at Swansons, and he said they have never had a problem. Also hate that front license plate requirement. It was off the books for a couple of years which confused the hell out of everybody.

 

I think I know what you mean by "friendly" smog stations, and I agree. I wouldn't want a shop to put another car on the dyno (and use it's testing data) or turn a blind eye to obvious illegal modifications (that's a no no in my book) in order to get my vehicle to pass.

For me, I'll take mine in the way it is, whatever that may be at the time I have to go. That's if I even have the L then.

Steve

 

when you register your vehicle on base(dont know if it the same for you as it is the marines) they will require you to get it cali smoged or they wont let you get it registered on base no decal sorry but that is what happened to me one of the reasons i sold my catless jeep in AZ