SDLS1Rider

If you install a Centrifigal Supercharger like an A&A vortech kit or ECS kit. Do you require a tune, or can you run it with the factory programming?

The reason I ask is that in California AB 2289 has become law. It is a plug into the ECU and visual check for smog. A sniffer test will no longer be used for 2000 and older OBD II cars. The law won't be implemented until 2013. At the moment there is a lot of speculation about what this all means to modified cars. Some people speculate that if the ECU isn't throwing any codes it will pass the smog. Others say that if there is an aftermarket tune, it will be detected and the car will fail smog. This is what has everyone worried. Even a stock LS1 can gain a performance inprovement from a tune. But while the supercharger may be CARB legal the tune isn't. The new smog legal reality may be you can have a supercharger on the engine, but you can't tune it.

So, can you run a supercharger without a tune?

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

corvette8189

no, you must get a tune

Milan

How is an OBD2 scanner going to know if there is a tune on there?

SDLS1Rider

http://www.mrtraffic.com/2011laws.htm
http://www.smogtips.com/new-smog-law-AB-2289.cfm

There is a lot of speculation on the bill. One such speculation is that the new scanners will be improved over what we have now. They may be able to detect a tune. This is based on the conventional wisdom that California smog testing doesn't get easier, but harder. I'm just doing my homework, and being proactive.

0Chris@HPS

In Georgia, when you get an emissions test, they plug into the OBDII Port. I would not think that there is a way to tell if a tune has been altered. You can have 2 of the same model year vehicles and the tune file tables will vary.

Chris

DOUG @ ECS

You will need a tune.


There has been some speculation of the inspection station being able to see the segment number in the tune to see if it's stock or not. Basically a tune file in beta form adds up to a number, if anything is changed, it does not add up to the correct number.
There will have to be companies or an exemption for carb legal cars that have to be tuned with those products on them. IE, a supercharger. They will probably require a manual sniff test or something, but you will be able to pass. That will also only be on cars that are of the date started and newer from my understanding. So C5's will not have to adhere to that.

This is what I have been told from reliable sources, but please do not use this information as gospel, I'm waiting to find out what will happen too.

SDLS1Rider

I appreciate your feedback. I'm sure you want to know the reality of this more than anyone.