HELP! Need to Hear From S/C Owners in California

toddalin · 10-15-2002, 02:10 PM

Yesterday I purchased a fairly complete Carroll supercharger system with gaseous intercooling (water/alcohol injection) for the '90-'91 L98. I am in California and working through the CARB emission issues. I talked with the CARB and they noted that in fact the Paxton SN-89 used in this system is smog legal for this year vehicle as long as all other emissions equipment remains intact. However, I find that in this case, the Paxton replaces the existing A.I.R. pump and relocates some emissions lines and while it may serve the same function (and produce similar emissions), I am fearing that because the old smog pump is removed, the car may fail the visual
inspection.

Does anyone have any insight into these issues that would enlighten
me? I would like to get this on the road but do not want
to be saddled with emissions issues come smog-check time, nor the expense of some additional parts and the labor of installation if I can't get it to pass the visual.

Thanks

Mo_Bandy · 10-15-2002, 06:33 PM

Toddalin,

If you can get the instructions or your installation manual, generally they will include in them that "this or that" component has been removed "and these hoses etc. have been rerouted". Those would be the conditions in which the system has been approved under the CARB. As they can look at the CARB number to show and verify that it is according to the CARB approval...

i would also check around your local Corvette club etc. to find a emissions place that is familiar with dealing with these kind of issues. I have seen some places, the guy goes nuts when he pops the hood... HEH

hope this helps...

Mo

toddalin · 10-15-2002, 07:21 PM

Thank Mo_

Good idea but unforetunately, I don't think that this argument would fly. The system uses the Paxton SN-89 supercharger unit and that unit carries the EO#. But Carroll is not the only company to use these Paxton units and who's to say that other systems that use the Paxton don't retain the A.I.R. pump and therefore their exemptions.

The instructions (I have complete set) provide no help in this regard (other than noting the removal of the A.I.R. pump and use of these A.I.R. lines during system installation.

Thanks. Hey, I'm open to suggestions here.

Corvette86 · 10-16-2002, 01:17 AM

I have heard to keep you car smog legal in CA when removing your air pump you must pipe in some of the sc outlet air into the inlet hose of the old air pump. The air diverter valve will still route the air through the converter.

Hope this helps...

Frank :flag

sinc93 · 10-16-2002, 01:10 PM

I'm in the process of putting a supercharger on my car. I've been told to make sure that you have all the EO#'s ready to give to the smog center when you take your car there. ( You can search for them on the Carb website, I don't have the url handy, but easy to find it. ) If they have to look for the EO#s, that's when you run a higher risk of failing something. Especially if you get a test only station with a dyno ( that I have to do this time myself ). I really doubt ( but I could be wrong ) that they know what every air pump looks like, as long as there is one on the car. The main thing is, go there, give them the numbers and don't say anything else. ( I mean you either pass out the tailpipe or you don't, especially on the dyno so it's not like you are doing anything wrong etc...)

toddalin · 10-16-2002, 02:43 PM

Thanks again guys:

'86 - Yes, as I noted in this case the S/C replaces the pump by diverting some of its pressure. But in speaking with CARB and one of the test only stations listed in this month's CarCraft article, the stations are being very conservative and if they don't recognize something, chances are they're going to send you on your way. The station in the article said that I would probably need to go to a referee but I sure would hate to spend the $$$ to do the installation and find I just had to spend the $$$ to remove it (OUCH) unless I was sure that there wouldn't be a problem. I have a call in to the BAR t oget their take on it.

The gentleman I received the system from noted that it was installed on his '90 when he bought the car and the car had a smog certificate from a local car dealer, but he had never tried to personally smog the car and you know how these things can go...

drive it · 10-17-2002, 02:22 AM

To sum it up-Carroll SC spent the money to get eo#s for 49 state for the L98s. They spent more money to get eo#s for 50states for the lt1 kit. If you upgrade the surge valve to the larger later model one with the one inch hose to the smog divertor valve-then your kit is the same "spec" as the 50state kit.
If you can get the papers with the eo# for 50state and show them that they may take it....then again there are some real anal retentive people out there....
The only problem should be at the test only stations.
It really does suck because it meets all requirments as per carb-but if the company doesn't pay carb for certification then they don't get the eo#!

drive it · 10-17-2002, 03:37 PM

toddalin-I tried to email you with further info-but it came back as a bad address???

toddalin · 10-17-2002, 11:01 PM

Try:

toddalin@cox.net

drive it · 10-18-2002, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Try:

toddalin@cox.net

You've got mail...