| The 5 speed Z passed the smog test. It actually did really well compared to previous tests. It used to sneak by just under the state limits, and this time it beat the state averages. Not bad for a 19 year old car. Greg was right- if everything is there and working properly, you'll pass. I've had such trouble in the past that I was skeptical. The difference must be that the EGR system is working this time, and wasn't working in past years. The solenoid connector was corroded. A side benefit of replacing the transmission is getting access to the EGR valve. If you're a bit creative, you can overhaul the entire EGR system at this time without a plenum pull, let alone an engine pull. The fact that it was no longer an automatic transmission did not matter at all. I think the technician inputs that information as opposed to the computer reading the VIN and expecting to see a slushbox. I was concerned about the new California EVAP test, a test of the fuel tank for vapor leaks. They must pinch shut the tubing that connects the fuel tank to the charcoal canister, and then (under what must be a very small pressure) do a leakdown test that takes several minutes. The technician said the state system did not require this EVAP test on my 300ZX. We assumed it was because the charcoal can is buried so deep you can't even see it to pinch the tubing shut. The computer just says it is "in the engine compartment". This was one of the nicer smog guys I have run into. He didn't even mind that I had a vacuum gauge on the EGR line which I watched during the dyno test. Some guys would see that and call it a "tampered EGR valve". Some technicians won't let you anywhere near the car during the test, and give you the silent treatment while they're poking around under the hood but this guy was willing to talk about the car and how the testing works. We even talked about stuff before he started and I could have opted not to go through with it if I was worried about something. Some technicians know you're going to fail before they even start. Here's the test results. Those of you outside California can see what you're missing out on.
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