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CA Smog: Failed This Time. Need Help with Action Plan.

Also, if anyone has a vac pump and bracket from a '99 or same model with the alternator on the passenger side, I'm an interested buyer. I may also need to by a catalytic converter.
 
Thanks Ferm. At least that's a positive.

We will coach Colby. That exhaust was "repaired" saving the catalytic converter from the rotted out stock exhaust. If they want a muffler, we will fit one in. To date, NO ONE has figured out that a non wastegated turbo is in there. The dipshit called the vac line a PVC line. Shows how much they know.

Sorry, I'm just still pissed. Fortunately, this is not my primary driver and as my wife said "you're in a position where you can buy whatever you want." This is true, but I really want my 6.5 diesel Suburban.
 
For the A/C line, check on whether it is in fact NLA. Some of the lines are scarce and some NLA (like the one going to the back exchanger).

For the muffler . . . How about trying out a FTE resonator? (I'm looking for feedback as to whether it actually quiets down the exhaust :hihi: )
 
JayTheCPA said:
For the A/C line, check on whether it is in fact NLA. Some of the lines are scarce and some NLA (like the one going to the back exchanger).

For the muffler . . . How about trying out a FTE resonator? (I'm looking for feedback as to whether it actually quiets down the exhaust :hihi: )
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I can guarantee you that the A/C line is NLA. I looked last year HARD for one, and couldn't even find one at an A/C DELCO warehouse, or wholesale warehouse. It looks like the last ones were sold out in 2010. The singla A/C line is still available, and the dual A/C line for gassers is as well, diesel dual air lines are GONE for the 96-99(yet I found a few 94-95 ones).
 
Truck is in the AC shop and they'll have it done today. Don't ask on the bill.

My main focus is getting this thing past the smog test. After the "no muffler" fail, we're taking it to another shop.
 
Big T said:
Truck is in the AC shop and they'll have it done today. Don't ask on the bill.
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Mine was not pretty either . . . Best to simply close your eyes, pull out the wallet, hand over plastic, ask where to sign, put everything away, *then* open your eyes. This way you will not have to freak out over the cost until the credit card bill arrives and hopefully *long* after passing the inspection. :hihi:
 
View attachment Vac Pump Installation.pdfWell, Colby took the Burb into another smog test station and when they scanned the bar code on my registration renewal, the prior smog test fail results came up. So they could not pass it, though the guy said everything looked ok. Now I have to schedule an appointment with a referee smog test station. So before I do that, I'll need to get everything back on.

First, the vac pump from the '95 will mount directly to the alternator bracket of the '99, without the mounting bracket that is on the pump itself from the '95 (see page 2 of attached PDF).

Second, mount the GM 5 turbo and restore the Burb to its former non-performing glory.

Third, I need a shorter muffler with 4" pipe so that I can fit both a muffler and the catalytic converter in the space now consumed by the muffer in the Diamond Eye exhaust system.

Finally, hope the referee does not bang on the catalytic converter to see if the core has been removed.
 
Instead of the traveling oil can, we need a traveling emissions kit:hihi:

Maybe someone close to you still has a factory exhaust system laying in their scrap pile? Im going to be pulling my stock system off my 96, I wonder if someone in an emissions testing state would want it? I have a Diamond Eye box I could ship it in. I'll be pulling it in a couple months so won't help BigT, but maybe someone else later?
 
I think I'll be fine with the current plan. It was that initial move of allowing my wife to take it in without the cat converter that poisoned the whole process. Not her fault, as she was just trying to get the registration done on time. Problem is, she has SteveO stretched real thin with his time. This past weekend was the first weekend we spent at our Fullerton home in months. The res of the time I've been up at Big Bear working on the remodel. There's only so much of me to go around.

I'll get another whack at it this weekend. I'll see if it will pass with just the cat converter in place. If you know anyone with an old cat converter, I'm a buyer.
 
OK an update. Got some time to work on it today and I got the vac pump installed.

First, had to remove the fan. Hub locker and a fan wrench made this easy.

Second, removed the bracket from the vac pump:

attachment.php


Third, installed the pump which takes the 3 bolts that held it to the bracket. They now screw into holes on the alternator bracket.

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Fourth, run to NAPA to get a longer belt. The 101 from RockAuto listed as for the stock config on this truck was basically the same length as the stretched out 100 from the ATT install. I ended up with 1015 (actual length 102 1/8") and all is good.

If I eliminated the learning curve part, this job would be less than 30 minutes. Big thanks to Paveltolz for the install diagram on the Vac Pump.

Tomorrow I put back the GM 5 turbo and hook up the vac lines. Then I schedule myself an appointment with the Smog Referee. I will not install a muffler, just the catalytic converter. I think the referee will know that a muffler has nothing to do with smog. I feel like I have to be the only 6.5 that's ever gone back from an ATT to a GM 5. Fortunately, that set-up will be very short lived.

P.S. When you think you've got it bad with your vehicle, there's always someone who's got it worse. While waiting in line at NAPA, there was a guy in front of me comparing his hub assembly to a new hub rotor assembly. This was from a Dodge and the rotor attached to the hub from the back using the wheel studs, much like the GM set-up on our 6.5 trucks and Suburbans. Only problem, the entire brake surface portion of the rotor had sheared off its hub. I asked him how it happened and he mumbled something about the caliper locking up. Anyway, he didn't believe the NAPA guy that the rotor (hub) separated from the wheel hub, so I jumped in and showed him. So the guy leaves and I'm getting serviced for a longer serp belt. A few minutes passed and I blurted out "how the **** do you shear off the rotor from its hub?" Every guy behind the counter started smiling and snickering like Precious the Cartoon dog. Then the guy servicing me pulls out his trophy, a brake brake from a F-350, only the brake pad was long gone and the metal was just chewed away. He said they guy insisted that the brakes has just started to make noise 2 days prior. Right.
 
Wow. What an ordeal. I thought a regular inspection was bad. Thank god we do not have emissions yet in most places in va. Good luck hope it passes so you get back driving her. I know you cannot wait to yank all that crap off again.
 
Happy to help.

FWIW, I've gone from GM-5 to ATT to GM-5 a few times. This last year it was GM-5 to GM-8 to GM-5 to S-84 to GM-5 and back to S-84. Don't ask about the number of tunes!

Good luck with the Referee. Ask him what team he wanted to win the Super bowl and be their biggest fan too.
 
Paveltolz said:
Happy to help.

FWIW, I've gone from GM-5 to ATT to GM-5 a few times. This last year it was GM-5 to GM-8 to GM-5 to S-84 to GM-5 and back to S-84. Don't ask about the number of tunes!

Good luck with the Referee. Ask him what team he wanted to win the Super bowl and be their biggest fan too.
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Thanks Paul, stole the thunder right out of my first ever claim. Shoulda learned my lesson after claiming to be the first to do the missionary position :)
 
Yeah, but you're up against it and I was/am just experimenting. Didn't mean to be a 'Topper.'
Again, Good Luck tomorrow and, if the offer still holds, I'll try to be up towards Bear Lake this Saturday and I'll bring the 2nd Amendment stuff to either celebrate a successful Smog Run or take out frustrations.

Paul
 
OK, got ATT out in 30 minutes. Installed the uncut intake from the '95. Now running into slight problem in that I can't remove one of the Allen bolts holding the cut off oil drain tube to the ATT. The bend of the tube gets in the way of any Allen wrench, including a socket. I can cut the one off the '95, but my sawsall is up at Big Bear. So I'm off to borrow Colby's. I guess this is payback for all the tools he "borrowed" and lost while growing up.
 
Was your inspection expired? Can you drive it on the street after it fails inspection or do you get a grace period.



I had a girl friend once named Grace and she would get her period!:eek1:
 
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