So I finally got the car registered last friday, put new suspension on it a few days ago, and brought it to a local dealer for alignment, and inspection sticker. They came out laughing, gave me about 8 reasons why it would fail. So now im taking care of them. Needs muffler (has full ZZP EXHAUST) Assuming I can just buy one from ZZP and get it installed. Didnt realize there was no muffler. Have to install front license plate, i thought on dash in front windshield was ok for short term. Tires are borderline (Im about to order the biggest Michilin Pilot supersports, that i can fit) Tail light blackout covers? Are these covered? Stock? Or aftermarket all together? Maybe I have to figure out how to remove blackout covers..



And last issue was that the vehicle is tuned. They were telling me that computer has to be of factory tuning, or state inspection machine will reject it. Does this mean I have to bring it to a dealer and get it reflashed? And then get it retuned afterwards if i want?

THANKS

 

I wouldn't go to the dealer just go to another shop, I've registered my car tuned and had no problems.

Here in Texas it's illegal to have tinted taillights. Your look aftermarket all together so you would need stock lights

It shouldnt be a problem with the no muffler as long as you have the cats still on but I'm guessing you don't since your full zzp exhaust

 

I don't know Mass. laws, but that factory tune comment is ridiculous. That's probably a blanket statement to cover people who disable O2 sensor monitors. As long as your readiness monitors complete, you should pass OBD inspection.

 

Thanks, heres a picture of the exhaust, mufflers not a big deal, but not having cats could be expensive!



Thats a cat right?




Resonator??

 

It looks like a high flow cat. You might have issues with that, since it's using an elongated bung for the O2 sensor. My cat monitor wouldn't go into readiness because of one of those long bungs (was catless). Once I put the cats back on, the monitor completed and I could pass.

 

Im planning on mounting license plate, new tires, and add on a zzp muffler, and take to a regular "easier shop" to try again. Hopefully it will pass with those talights and whatever tuning it has.

 

Yeah tune should be fine only one that can tell would be the dealership. And yeah that's a Highflow DP so the dealer won't pass you with it on(I wouldn't spend on the muffler tho you should pass with it off but I'm in texas so it could be a tad different even tho it sounds pretty similar).

yeah just get the new tires and put the license in the front and take it to another shop and you should pass, hopefully they won't say nothing about the tails

 

In massachusetts (SUCKS!) your not allowed to modify exhaust at all, but most places will ignore that, however as dealer stated (they told me big fines if i get pulled over and found without a muffler) Im hoping i dont have to deal with that tuning issue.. they dont usually visually inspect exhaust like tbeyre suppose to, and all the massachusetts inspection machine looks for is a C.E.L. as far as i know. So im assuming since the cel isnt on it should be ok. Thanks for the input!

 

I doubt they simply look for a CEL or code. If they plug into your OBD port, they will look for the readiness monitors test status.

 

Right, your correct! So a tune, can bypass and prevent a CEL when a Correct 02 isnt where it should be? Sorry im new to the whole tuning performace car world. My daily driver up u til this car has been a big 12' Ram 2500 powerwagon on 37" tires which may be considered small in texas! Haha

 

As far as I know, tuners can disable monitors, but that's not the same as making them pass the tests. I would look into an O2 sensor simulator. I'm not sure about Cobalts specifically for this, but it's a pretty universal concept. You plug in a device that sends the necessary voltage signal to the ECU to make it look like your O2 sensor is reporting correctly. Maybe others can chime in on tuning out the readiness monitor issue.

 

I searched a bit and it looks like the simulator approach won't work on these cars. The ECU recognizes a non-fluctuating signal and sees that as a problem.