California and non-California differences

[hidetolol]

This is a question that probably gets asked into oblivion, but I wasn't really able to locate any answers on this forum.

I'm potentially stuck in a position where I might be forced to buy a car that is going to be CARB legal, versus no restrictions for my state. That is, unless I want to wait another 5-6 months due to a dealership's major error.

I'm looking at parts diagrams and don't see any immediate differences being listed like how older cars would. I know that as technology improves, car manufacturers will likely be able to just start making things more uniform across the board.

So, have we finally reached that point with the 15's? Are there any mechanical, computer, and parts differences between the two emission standards? Or is it now just a special sticker applied to certain cars to be sold in those states?

But it just seems they would make a 50 state legal sticker if that was the case...

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[JolleyRoger]

Emissions standard are Federal regulations and CARB needs permission to enact changes that are different then federal regulations. While California can submit it's own proposal of standards they are currently adopting the Federal regulations so they would be the same. This is why, I assume, some states do not enforce emissions testing in some form. Removing or tampering with any emissions is a federal crime, well except in California where breathing is a crime and my guess soon to be taxable.:headbonk:

 

[Horde5.0]

These states all use the California emission standards now.

CA, CT. DE, MA, MD, ME, NJ, NY. OR, PA. RI, VT, WA

Mustangs are probably all built the same these days. I would be surprised if Ford took the trouble to find out what states the cars are going to and built them differently.

 

[hidetolol]

These states all use the California emission standards now.

CA, CT. DE, MA, MD, ME, NJ, NY. OR, PA. RI, VT, WA

Mustangs are probably all built the same these days. I would be surprised if Ford took the trouble to find out what states the cars are going to and built them differently.

That's what I'm hoping for. I would like to imagine the chassis built for these states are simply smogged before being sent out to dealerships and that would be the only difference.

 

[kray]

Anytime I buy something that says "legal in California" I feel like I got short changed. My Honda lawnmower says "legal in California" and that even bothers me. Like someone else said, breathing in California is illegal. My dealer in Utah has a couple of Mustangs that they ordered with California emissions and the only reason I can see them doing that is for Internet sales.

 

[JolleyRoger]

Well I have lived in California all my life and while our state can be obnoxious at times and way over bearing, I will admit that the air is way more cleaner because of it; can't remember the last "smog day" , unlike when i was a kid. The auto performance is not hurt to a huge extent thanks to some smart engineering, so unless you you race constantly I don't see the issues with running a cleaner car.

Also, i am no engineer, but I believe the gas produce in California also plays a role in the exhaust gasses; for performance it is not the best:tsk:.

Again, federal emission standards are the same as CARB, at least until 2025 i believe, but obviously you can get away with adding LT on the car in other states, but maybe look into adding a hi-flo cat that may help a little to cut down on smog days.;)

 

[JolleyRoger]

Anytime I buy something that says "legal in California" I feel like I got short changed. My Honda lawnmower says "legal in California" and that even bothers me. Like someone else said, breathing in California is illegal. My dealer in Utah has a couple of Mustangs that they ordered with California emissions and the only reason I can see them doing that is for Internet sales.

Lawnmowers and motorcycles= Gross polluters.;)

 

[ForTehNguyen]

everything seems to cancer in california too

 

[Cascadia_302]

Well I have lived in California all my life and while our state can be obnoxious at times and way over bearing, I will admit that the air is way more cleaner because of it; can't remember the last "smog day" , unlike when i was a kid. The auto performance is not hurt to a huge extent thanks to some smart engineering, so unless you you race constantly I don't see the issues with running a cleaner car.

Also, i am no engineer, but I believe the gas produce in California also plays a role in the exhaust gasses; for performance it is not the best:tsk:.

Again, federal emission standards are the same as CARB, at least until 2025 i believe, but obviously you can get away with adding LT on the car in other states, but maybe look into adding a hi-flo cat that may help a little to cut down on smog days.;)

Apparently the EPA is collaborating with CA on an even stricter emission standard for 2017-2025 so anyone who hasn't yet, get your car while you still can.:frusty:

 

[BmacIL]

CA-emissions cars have slightly different catalyst formulations and calibrations.

 

[kray]

Glad to hear the stricter regulations in Cal are at least working. Nothing worse than being regulated to death with no positive outcome. My state could use some better pollution regulations. Our air is terrible.

 

[Cascadia_302]

Since 2009 all cars sold in Washington State must meet Cali's CARB emission standards. The only difference is there are zero emission checks or any follow-up vehicle inspections, ever. Kinda like a modders dream.

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