Emissions Time - YAAAAAY!

KAIZZER

Corporal
Feb 13, 2019
103
45
0
New England
Ride
e89 z4 35i, Mk7.5 Gti, 02 Wrx
:sweatsmile: Hey guys, so its time to take my car in for an inspection sticker. I currently have two (2) not ready's and my state only allows for one (1) in order to "pass." The car was flashed (BQ protune) by its previous owner using a Cobb AP, and i was not given the controller with the sale. That being said, if i were to re-flash to stock i would lose the tune(would i be able to back this data up on MHD?) . No big deal but too bad, because the car is very strong as it sits currently. Hybrids will be going on soon enough so i believe i should be able cope until then worst case.
I rode it for a while with the rejection (i like to think of it as a racecahh stickah) sticker, but i think its time to fix it and do things the proper way. My intent was to use MHD to flash it back to stock, and with the aid of a pair of defoulers; negate the fact that i have catless downpipes in order to trick the system. I do have the factory's, but to take them off and re-install all seems like a bit too much work right now tbh.

I believe that I have a plan, but my goal with this post is to seek guidance as to whether or not i'm going about it correctly.. I'd like to do it right the first time if you get my gist.

Cheers and thanks in advance,
Reef
 

jts1981

Private
Jan 29, 2018
46
28
0
NYC
Ride
Z4
Historically I've passed NY emissions with only 1 test incomplete, catalyst. At the time I was stock turbos, fbo, inlets, ngk plugs gapped at .022,

Now I'm upgraded turbos, Walbro 525 pump, upgraded my fbo to the next level, elder coils, n20 tmap with large line.

Anyways long story short I was anxious as hell to pass emissions with the new set up. I found the following info below that helped me better understand what the parameters are to complete the tests.

https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Do-BMW-OBDII-Drive-Cycle-For-Smog-Check/

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1285660-OBDII-drive-cycle-explained-smogging


Unfortunately the info on the links were not 100% accurate for me. Some discrepancies I found were as follows. keep in mind all test info require staying in the same gear, no large throttle changes, or braking, and not exceeding 3k rpm.

Here are the discrepancies :

  • 55mph for 5 minutes
  • 55mph for 15 minutes,
  • 55-65 for 6 miles
  • gear should be over drive.
  • full tank of gas only
Here are my amendments to the instructables article. I managed to go from clearing the codes(meaning everything incomplete) on a full tank, to only having catalysts incomplete just above a1/4 tank.
  • Yes start with full tank
  • Note that some tests only occur between 1/4-3/4 tank
  • Do the 2.5min warm up
  • Do the steady throttle @ 55mph- 60mph for 3 min, 5 min, and 15 min intervals.
    • 5th gear (DCT)- 60mph-keeping rpm between 2500-2900 seemed to work best.
  • I honestly can't say which length of time is a guarantee success so try each length of time and check you MHD if the test was completed. If the test was not completed it maybe a sign that the test only occurs between 1/4-3/4 tank so try again there.
  • Do the the decelerate from 55 mph to 20mph
  • Do the the decelerate from 55 mph to full stop
  • Do finish with a 5 minute idle when in park after driving.
  • If you get below 1/4 tank and still have an incomplete test something did not work. Refer back to the 1st link.
 

Snertz

Specialist
Nov 7, 2016
64
51
0
NY
Ride
2011 1M
If you reflash to stock using MHD you'll lose the Cobb tune. Sucks that the AP wasn't included in the sale, it's basically a paperweight until they physically unmarry it from your car or pay Cobb a hefty fee.

What state are you in? If you're in NY, just flash to a stage 2 map or equivalent, no need for defoulers.
 

KAIZZER

Corporal
Feb 13, 2019
103
45
0
New England
Ride
e89 z4 35i, Mk7.5 Gti, 02 Wrx
Thanks for the additional insight! Im located in MA.

Currently i have a not ready for the cat and 02 sensor. Got a pair of defoulers yesterday, so i'll try to have them installed and then reflash the car sometime this week.
 
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Torgus

Brigadier General
Nov 6, 2016
2,671
2,194
0
Boston
Ride
ACF 6466 E92 + METH
So I rolled the dice and tried the steps on the video! Got the car to pass without even flashing back to stock on a full tank of gas. SWEET! Thanks for sharing.

-Reef

Congrats. You might as well get a new custom tune using MHD, small money. I pass every year in MA with my single turbo e92.

What twin turbos are you considering?

Anywhere near the 4 e85 gas stations in MA?
 
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KAIZZER

Corporal
Feb 13, 2019
103
45
0
New England
Ride
e89 z4 35i, Mk7.5 Gti, 02 Wrx
I'm closer to the one in Canton fortunately lol
Havent locked in on my final choice yet. I have a few different options in mind ...
 

Torgus

Brigadier General
Nov 6, 2016
2,671
2,194
0
Boston
Ride
ACF 6466 E92 + METH
I'm closer to the one in Canton fortunately lol
Havent locked in on my final choice yet. I have a few different options in mind ...

Remember, you get what you pay for ;)

bcf93b5b930a7f9aaca32409035289fc66bcf0e3fa33b718_1.jpg


But seriously get a custom MHD tune so you can just roll in and get a sticker whenever. It doesn't sound like you were involved with the tuning process so who knows if the map you are on is the finished product or rev 2. Given that the idiot who sold you your car did not unmarry or include the cobb, do you really trust the tuning process was done well?

Can you get the cobb from the old owner? As @Snertz said it's basically a paperweight until they physically unmarry it from your car or pay Cobb a hefty fee.

Also, as a former cobb owner, the cobb AP sucks. MHD is the shit.
 
Last edited:
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KAIZZER

Corporal
Feb 13, 2019
103
45
0
New England
Ride
e89 z4 35i, Mk7.5 Gti, 02 Wrx
I bought the car almost two years ago from a guy moving back to the Philippines. I was supposed to link up with him before he left, but it never happened. I've had it in mind to re-flash it anyway, but because its been cool/behaving and i have yet to purchase the hybrids there was no urgency put toward the effort.
He was a pretty stand up guy going thru a lot at the time, so I wont hold it against him, and he did a great job with maintenance, etc.
 
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KAIZZER

Corporal
Feb 13, 2019
103
45
0
New England
Ride
e89 z4 35i, Mk7.5 Gti, 02 Wrx
MHD is def in the works, I already purchased the program. Is the JB4 backend overkill or nah?
 

Snertz

Specialist
Nov 7, 2016
64
51
0
NY
Ride
2011 1M
That's needed only if you're stacking on a JB4 piggyback. Do you plan on going port fuel, meth, or single turbo in the future?
 

KAIZZER

Corporal
Feb 13, 2019
103
45
0
New England
Ride
e89 z4 35i, Mk7.5 Gti, 02 Wrx
That's needed only if you're stacking on a JB4 piggyback. Do you plan on going port fuel, meth, or single turbo in the future?
i dont think so tbh.... Out the gate i'm looking for a modest 500-550ish whp for now. Not trying to overdo it haha