Ezra1234

No, I have lived here for my entire life and own one of the largest companies in the Sacramento area and deal with legislative issues both state and federal everyday. I certainly know who Mary Nichols is and I also know Brown will sign this type of amendment, or a new law if the argument can be presented in a way that looks like a win for him. Besides this may not get to the legislature until 2017 in which case Jerry will be termed out. However, I am learning that many in the Sport Compact community have a tendency to just go along with whatever legislation goes their way and they instead try to find a way around an issue or the Star program (in California's case) rather than attempting to become creative and developing a solution that at least allows those people who have gone through the process to make their vehicles clean and green, which I think you can agree is a new approach? There are always some in a crowd who are always cynical about this or any type of legislation. However, you might want to get behind this legislation if and when it develops and step-up and support anything that could, or will benefit the Sport Compact community before you are forced by an ever evolving law that forces you and the rest of us to continue to drive a boring, stock vehicles on the roads of California!

If you live in California your best bet is to start by contacting your state senator, or assembly person, which is what I did. Realize that right now there is no legislation either that has been proposed or is pending! So, your going to have to do what I did, which is present why this type of law is necessary for those people who have converted their vehicle to E-85 and can pass the sniff test. I don't believe that the current law would be amended to facilitate modified vehicles that are modified and not in compliance with the current Star requirements if that vehicle uses gasoline. This change if it ever occurs? Will only apply to E-85 vehicles.

Yes, via both the tcu and the trans build!

Mike07LGT Our engine is very similar to an engine that is in existence in South Carolina. We both use the Outfront Closed Deck Short Block,(mine is the new version 4, his is the version 3), which Outfront states they have no idea how much power the version 4 engine can sustain. But that the version 3 is rated to 700whp but has achieved 850 whp in several cases. Of course we are using highly modified cams, valves and anything else that will help generate and manage the amount of power we are seeking. But the real dilemma is the Turbos. We currently have the Borg Warner EFR8374. But we just tested the EFR9180 and shut the engine down on the engine dyno because there is a huge difference in the amount of air flow that they generate. The 8374 generates 79lbs of air flow and the 9180 generates 94lbs of air flow. The difference in power is staggering and requires that we connect the Transmission before we make full runs on the Dyno. We will keep you informed as we go through this process. One other factor that makes us believe that we will turn in the 8's is that our Legacy weighs in at with no fuel @ 2745lbs! The stock Legacy weigh about 3450 lbs give or take a few lbs. The fun part of this project is you have to look very closely and know what your looking at or otherwise, the car looks box stock. The exhaust rumbles a little but is very quiet until you put your foot to the firewall. To:Starionesir Give Level 10 a call and speak to Pat. He informed me that the 5EAT not only needs the internals modified but the biggest issue is to make the shifts smooth like the 1100 whp Mercedes. He feels the 5eat can achieve similar numbers but that the programming of the transmission is the key. By the way, the gentleman in South Carolina turns 8.54 @159 in the 1/4 mile. His car is a daily driver and other than his wheels looks very stock. You can find him on You Tube making his 8 second run. Bye for now!

In speaking to Teds senior legislative staff member Mary Nichols was discussed. He felt that as long as the program was defined as a green program where each vehicle would be evaluated on its own and assuming that the vehicle passed the one and only sniff test that Mary Nichols would not be anything but a bump in the road. Also you have to understand that if such a law existed? Ms. Nichols would have no choice but to implement the amendment or law in its entirety. What concerns me and most people like myself who would love to see this change made is the passive nature of the people in the Sport Compact Community. I am and have always felt that we all have to jump into the fight if we are to prevail on any issue. These type of issues need the relentless and on-going support of the entire Sport Compact community. As you are all aware, you might as well keep your vehicle stock if you live in California. Because under the prevailing CARB/Star laws you have little choice. So I would expect that all Performance oriented Sport Compact vehicle owners in the State of California to stand up and let your legislators know you expect that they would support those folks who have converted their vehicles to Green vehicles to be granted special exemptions. If you do not support this effort than you can kiss any future hope of being able to modify your vehicle and drive it on the streets of California. Because the noose is tightening folks and your the target!

The 5eat can handle a lot of power if you have the right people build the Transmission. I won't waste your time going over my specific situation other than to say my new Subaru engine puts out close to 900 whp and I will be using the 5eat transmission that will be built shortly by Level 10. Along with highly modifying and re-programming the 5eat transmission the transmission, based on my discussion with Level 10, is capable of handling up to 1100 horsepower. Obviously this vehicle is used for carshows and drag racing only. We expect to turn about 150 to 160 in a little over 8 seconds starting this next summer.

Recently, I had a discussion with our California State senator (Ted Gaines) Senior Staffer about the possibility of creating or amending the current laws allowing owners of vehicles that have made the good faith effort to convert their vehicles to E-85 and can pass the sniff test to be allowed the same exemption that 30 to 40 year old hot-rods and classic cars are currently allowed within the State of California, which allows those vehicles to be exempt from being smogged? This is supposed to be proposed in this 2016 legislative session, but like all things political may stretch into 2017. This addition to the current law would essentially allow all of the people out there who have highly modified vehicles that are not 30 to 40 years or older the ease of registering there vehicle without the fear that they would pass the current Star law. If this is something that you really feel passionate about? Then its about time for each and every one of you to stand up and let your State Senator and Assembly person know your feelings. After all we are not asking for much for going green. Plus, in my case it will be so much fun unleashing my brand new close to 900whp Subaru on the the streets once again!

Thanks for the great information. However, in my case the registration of my vehicle is no longer an issue. In the very near future, the car will be registered in Calif. within the next three (3) weeks as an off-road vehicle only! We are making changes to it that will make it a race vehicle only and thus, will be towed to its destination rather than driven. I own a number of vehicles and this was a car that was just sitting around not being used. Just a word of advice, if you decide to modify your vehicle in the state of Calif. make sure you do it within the constraints of the STAR laws. Calif has become the most predatory State in the country and does not want their population modifying their vehicles!

nm+ I appreciate your observation. However, if your car needs to be smogged and it will cost $5000 to get it back to stock condition in order to pass, chances are your going to look for alternative solutions that are perfectly legal. If you can produce the case law that states I cannot register my vehicle in Nevada and then drive it in California, when I have according to the Nevada's DMV a legal address and insurance in Nevada. I know there is the ten (10) day, or thirty (30) day time frame that the DMV gives to people who live in California that are from out of state to re-register. However, technically I live in both Nevada and California and presented that to the officer that gave me the ticket. He had no problem with the fact that I have an address in Nevada. One other thing, I own four cars and this particular car only gets driven about an hour ever week, which was a consideration when I decided to register the vehicle in Nevada. Are you an attorney? You state that my actions are essentially tax evasion. Do you have the case law to support that statement? The funny part to this story is my car runs on E85 and could pass any sniff test with no problem!

Chris: You get the PO Box by going to the UPS Store and better yet, you can state the address as though its an apartment. You know, unit 54, or something like that. Then you take that info to Nevada DMV and register your car. Better yet, when I go to Reno for a weekend of Debauchery and Gambling I can walk in to the Nev DMV and use the kiosk to get my new tags. no waiting for an appt. or in lines. Any mail from the DMV during the year is forwarded to me by the UPS store people.

Had the same problem with my vehicle. It was time to get it smogged in california. However, because of the rather shall we say, extreme modifications that were done to my motor there was no way I would ever pass a smog test in CA. The guy at the smog station just laughed hysterically and smiled as he told me it would be a cold day in hell before he would ever pass my car.So! I was not deterred and found a great solution. Best suggestion for cars needing to be smogged in California? Is Don't even try, instead go to Reno like I did and have the smog check and registration changed. Cost $101 excluding a PO Box or local Reno address. Just renewed for another year in Nev the cost was $49. Yeah, yeah, I hear all the stories about I will be pulled over and cited for not having a Calif. license. I got a ticket for speeding and no problem with the California CHP officer. Oh, I hired a law firm and the ticket went bye,bye as well. Oh yeah, Nevada's snog test is they turn on the key and as long as the red engine light doesn't go on while the engine is running you pass. Hope this helps!