Moving to Cali from the midwest with my SR swapped S13

[tokarzni]

I'm moving to the San Francisco Bay Area and am concerned about what to do with my S13 240sx. I've put so much sweat into the car over the years and really do not want to sell the car unless I have to.

From what I've been reading online, it's risky to try and drive the SR20 on the street in Cali. I would like to drive my S13 once or twice a week. Maybe to and from work on nice days. I have an S2000 that is my daily driver.

First things first I'll have to replace my straight pipe with a Cat since I read that driving without one is grounds for having your car impounded. But I know I'm not going to pass smog nor am I going to try by swapping in the KA. I know I could probably find a shop to get it legalized but my concern is truly being impounded on the street.

I've been reading of many people stating that highway patrol in Cali are now being trained in recognizing SR20's and can pull you over on suspicion you are driving with an SR. Is this true? Has anybody actually experienced this issue in Cali? Or do these guys have to have legitimate reason to pull you over, ie headlight out, speeding, racing, etc.

I don't plan on driving like a moron on the street. I'd just like to get it smog passed "blind signed" and then driving it to and from the track or maybe a few times a month to and fro work.

I'd like to hear opinions from those living in Cali and dailying their SR's. I know I can easily sell my car here in the midwest but would like to hold onto it if possible.

Thanks for your time.-Nick

[s13_chris]

Anyway you can keep your car registered in the mid west? Thats the easiest way. Keep your car registered there and just tell them you are on long term vacation. They can't do much against it I believe. Besides that I've never been pulled over for SR suspicion. I never really rip around in my sr either though so I keep it lowkey around town and they have no idea. And don't worry, there seems to be a good number of SR'ed 240's in the bay. Just be smart and you'll do fine.

[spooled240]

i daily my ka-t s14 and i've never really had a problem other than my little ticket a while back at the ricer meet. If you sr is stock without any shiny parts under the hood then you'll have a better chance of getting out of a ref ticket than me. I know a bunch of people who daily their sr'd s13/s14's around the streets of socal with a big polished FMIC and basically a straight pipe stainless polished exhaust and they haven't had any problems.

I think it mostly has to do with the cop but as long as you drive normal and your car is somewhat low-key not looking like a full D1 drift car you should be fine.

oh and from what i read the CHP can pull you over and pop your hood if they have a reasonable suspicion that your car is modified. Technically they are supposed to have a legitimate reason to pull you over in the first place but we all know how that goes, they pull you over anyway

[tokarzni]

Well I guess I could keep my plates until next October when my birthday roles around and they expire. I live in Columbus, Ohio now but my family lives in Michigan. Perhaps selling the car to my father (ie title work) and then driving it with michigan plates registered in his name would work. Thanks for the idea!

[s13_chris]

^ Your idea works but you are putting to much work into it. Really keep the car registered where your family lives. And when you have to resmog it (if you even have too) for registration just make a trip to visit the family or something. You can tell the officer you are visiting long term. He can't say no.

[tokarzni]

They don't smog check in Michigan so it'd be pretty easy. All you have to do is show up to the secretary of state with 3 things: valid license, title and proof of insurance. Easy as 123. lol

[duffman1278]

Don't even trip, how many times are you going to hear people post up that they drove around cali without getting popped? Never cause no one would care. I think Norcal is suppose to be even more leniant with import cars then socal. Honestly I wouldn't even be too worried about it. But you could also buy another one here if shipping is costly. They're all over here and engines arn't hard to come by, nor are the parts.

In fact I think it's more rare to see a KA in a 240 than an SR over here.

[SirSilvia]

But wasn't there a new regulation passed (or trying to get passed) that if a car has a foreign engine/mod that doesn't pass the EPA/DOT regulations that it wasn't permitted on the streets of Cali?

Different issue but still along the lines of Cali's effed up laws. (click for bigger pic)
Modified by SirSilvia at 5:54 PM 10/27/2009

[duffman1278]

That's for illegally imported vehicles OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.

[SirSilvia]

no no I found it, and the SR20 would make it illegal. (found it here) Since it's not from or built in the US.

Definition of a nonresident vehicle

A nonresident vehicle was last registered outside the state of California. Anyone who brings a vehicle into California, or purchases a nonresident vehicle while in California, should be aware of the registration requirements.

NOTE: California law prohibits residents or businesses from importing and/or registering a new vehicle with less than 7,500 miles at the time of purchase unless it meets or is exempt from California Emission standards. If you acquire a 49-State vehicle (manufactured for all states except California) from another state or country, you may not be able to register your vehicle in California.

I love California and the Governator but these retarded azz regulations piss me right the hell off, and I live on the exact opposite side of the US.
Modified by SirSilvia at 6:20 PM 10/27/2009

[spooled240]

Don't even trip, how many times are you going to hear people post up that they drove around cali without getting popped? Never cause no one would care. I think Norcal is suppose to be even more leniant with import cars then socal. Honestly I wouldn't even be too worried about it. But you could also buy another one here if shipping is costly. They're all over here and engines arn't hard to come by, nor are the parts.

In fact I think it's more rare to see a KA in a 240 than an SR over here.

if you go to a meet with 30 cars I guarantee you that about 8-10 of them will have the sr20 swap with no emmissions, no cat and dumped on coils...that's just the CA way

[duffman1278]

Yea I know, I've been to a few and there's so many SR's running no emissions and stuff. Even KA's not running emissions.

no no I found it, and the SR20 would make it illegal.

That's all over the U.S. I mean you technically cannot run an SR on the streets in any state in the U.S. but who cares, people do it anyways. Just like cocaine, it's illegal to consume or have here but people still get it some how and use it.

[Wc240]

keeping your car registerd outa state is as bout as risky as keepin the SR with cali plates.you have either 10 or 30 days (pending if you talk to DMV or CHP) to change your license. the law states where the vehicle is registerd or garaged, meening even if its registerd in another state(like mine) if you hold residence here, it better be registerd and smogged here. pending on the cop, your attitude, and story you may be able to get away with it(worked for me a few times) but its still a risk.you can just run it with your plates for a while. look for a de, then get it registerdbut remember, SR=your car on a tow truck, different plates= a fine, but you can drive home

[duffman1278]

They won't tow your car because you have an SR or any other illegal engine swap. They'll just send you to state ref which you can decide to pay it off and not go.

[spooled240]

what happens if you just don't go and pay it off? Is it just swept under the rug and they let you go?

[duffman1278]

Come on man use some common sense, of course not. If they just pull you over for exhaust and you don't have warrents or they didn't pull you over for illegal activity like racing then you won't get it towed.

[tokarzni]

Thanks everyone for all the input this helps alot. I'm leaning towards taking the risk and simply registering my car in Cali.

I'll be adding a high-flow Cat and probably selling my Tanabe Racing Medalion Exhaust and putting on a high flow, OEM look exhaust. I feel that loud, coffee canister style exhausts typically attract attention in the first place. If I can avoid that I should be fine.

Again, thanks for all the great feedback. Much appreciated!

Regards,Nick

[Slo_240sx]

I am originally from Metro Detroit and am currently at Camp Pendleton, CA. My car is registered back at home in MI. Since the car is registered in another state, California laws do not apply. But since you will be a resident you have up to 30 days to register it within the state.

Being Military helps me, because I am exempt from registering my car in California, but I do have to abide by base laws and my car must pass smog before I can get Decals to enter base.

Use common sense, dont be dumb and dont do what all the ricers do. You dont need anymore attention than you already have. Dont give them a reason and you'll be okay... besides the bs pull overs everyone knows I'm talking about. Have a safe trip!

[boostdd]

you'll be fine, just do what u plan to do to keep it more low key

once i finish my car i hope to register it in AZ my folk have a house out there, to avoid smog

[spooled240]

Come on man use some common sense, of course not. If they just pull you over for exhaust and you don't have warrents or they didn't pull you over for illegal activity like racing then you won't get it towed.

if you don't have a cat then you can get towed. What I meant was if you get a ref ticket don't go to the inspection and just pay the fine can your car still be registered? I think not...but I have some friends that said they just paid the ticket and that was that