By Monika Earle
 SEMA members can utilize the SEMA Garage, which features an upgraded Emissions Compliance Center with new state-of-the-art equipment, to navigate the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) certification process at a reduced-cost. | |
The SEMA Garage was recently renovated to include an upgraded Emissions Compliance Center with new state-of-the-art equipment. These tools, along with expert SEMA staff who are dedicated to helping members navigate the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) certification process in a reduced-cost, streamlined manner, are now available for use.
The 10 products most commonly tested in and likely to benefit from the Emissions Lab are:
- Air Filter/Intake Kits/Air Intakes: Both open-element and enclosed-filter design require emissions certification to be legal.
- Exhaust Headers: Any replacement exhaust manifold that comes between the engine and the cat converters (or other emissions devices) must be certified.
- Turbo Systems: A turbo addition or upgrade can affect the light-off time of the catalytic converter and requires certification.
- Supercharger Systems: Forced induction increases the air density into the engine, thereby requiring fuel tuning and potentially impacting emissions.
- Intercoolers: Air density can also be positively affected by cooling. Airflow and temperature sensor functionality must remain intact and be tested.
- Engine Tuning/Flash Programming: Both gasoline and diesel tuning products must be tested, and OBDII functionality must be checked to ensure that it is operating properly.
- Fuel-System Modifications: Fuel pumps, injectors and filtration systems can all potentially affect an engine’s air-fuel ratio.
- Camshafts: Even though the cam isn’t visible, it is one of the most significant devices for the proper delivery of air into the engine’s cylinders, and therefore must be tested as well.
- Cylinder Heads: The airflow quality (swirl, turbulence, etc.) is just as important as the volume, and both will have an impact on what comes out the tailpipe.
- Catalytic Converters: The catalytic converter is the single most common emissions device and the first line of defense in effective emissions control.
For additional information on the newly renovated SEMA Garage or about emissions certification, contact Peter Treydte at 909-978-6673 or petert@sema.org.