Turbocharged Brabus Smart it is so much FUN!

[SunDiego]

Awesome!

Nice stable you have as well!

[RottenMonkey]

IN California You need to make sure the Turbo kits you want to install have a CARB # ( Califronia Air Resources Board). Without this # the install is not legal, and you will have to return it to original condition before you smog it. This will cost you extra to do. Then if you still want the turbo you will have to re-install it (more money). Before your Smog test if you get "pulled over" for any reason the police can look under the hood for any visual modifications. If the find any TICKETS AND FINES WILL FLOW!
I am not tring to scare you away from moding your Smart Car, just trying to educate.

[NukleoN]

Originally Posted by RottenMonkey

IN California You need to make sure the Turbo kits you want to install have a CARB # ( Califronia Air Resources Board). Without this # the install is not legal, and you will have to return it to original condition before you smog it. This will cost you extra to do. Then if you still want the turbo you will have to re-install it (more money). Before your Smog test if you get "pulled over" for any reason the police can look under the hood for any visual modifications. If the find any TICKETS AND FINES WILL FLOW!
I am not tring to scare you away from moding your Smart Car, just trying to educate.

So with this CARB #, the turbo is legal and will pass smog? That'd be worth it. I really do not want to have to take turbos off for any reason once installed.

[SergMadness]

Originally Posted by NukleoN

So with this CARB #, the turbo is legal and will pass smog? That'd be worth it. I really do not want to have to take turbos off for any reason once installed.

I am going to do a little more research but older smarts were exempt from smog due to the tiny motors

The 451 is slightly larger and thus the 1L engine may not have the same perks as the 700cc motors in the older 450s

I am actually working on a fix for enthusiasts who never want to worry about "carb" in california....I have been mod'ing Hondas for 12+ years and it has killed the scene in California....cops hear an exhaust on a Honda and pull it over, pop the hood, try to find ANY little thing for fix it tickets etc...

So while ALL new cars do not have to have a smog test for 6 years....cops can send you to the ref if they suspect an "illegal" mod.

But....if your car falls under another states rules..... You get the idea...

Something to think about....most cops dont even know where the smarts engine is or how to get to the engine bay

[Gearhead]

I don't think any performance part manufacturer will be getting a CARB E.O. for any Smart Car part anytime soon. The costs involved are prohibitively high and the number of Smart Cars sold in the US is low.

The SFR turbo can easily be swapped in or out in a few hours for smogging. If you remove the rear suspension "X" beam, this allows complete open access to the manifold and exhaust. You just put the car up on a lift or use jackstands -- and with 4 bolts you can get the "X" beam out of the way. This swap is made especially easy if you used the Thorley header as the whole header/turbo assembly can be uninstalled and removed as a whole pumpkin. You would then install the stock catalyst/manifold and exhaust system in it's place. Remove the turbo oil feed/drain lines, replace the engine oil drain bolt, bolt on the muffler, put back the air intake bits 'n pieces, reconnect the O2 sensors, clear out any codes with a scanner and you're basically good to go. The piggy-back CPU can probably be left in-place as it'll never see any boost. The performance fuel injectors are hard to discriminate from stock, and shouldn't change any smog parameters if left in-place.

The things which would make for the easiest swap-out would be:

Thorley header.
Quick-connect electrical connector for the intercooler fan.
Having a spare engine oil drain bolt.
Having extra upstream and downstream O2 sensors.
Having an OBDII scanner.
Exhaust gaskets (if they get damaged during disassembly).

As they say, your mileage may vary, but I routinely uninstalled a NOS system on another car for smogging and that was more involved because of all the visible alterations to the fuel system and intake. To me, uninstalling the SFR Smart Turbo would be no big deal... Especially since I won't have to worry about it until 2014 -- if I still have the car...

[NukleoN]

Originally Posted by SergMadness

I am going to do a little more research but older smarts were exempt from smog due to the tiny motors

The 451 is slightly larger and thus the 1L engine may not have the same perks as the 700cc motors in the older 450s

I am actually working on a fix for enthusiasts who never want to worry about "carb" in california....I have been mod'ing Hondas for 12+ years and it has killed the scene in California....cops hear an exhaust on a Honda and pull it over, pop the hood, try to find ANY little thing for fix it tickets etc...

So while ALL new cars do not have to have a smog test for 6 years....cops can send you to the ref if they suspect an "illegal" mod.

But....if your car falls under another states rules..... You get the idea...

Something to think about....most cops dont even know where the smarts engine is or how to get to the engine bay

Awesome. I am all for street-legal mods since I don't want to be hassled. It is nice to know I have 6 years before I'll need a smog test.