Emissions Tuning Guide
Automotive emissions regulations predate my existence on this planet. The Clean Air Act (CAA) was signed into law in 1970, long before most of us ever got started playing with cars. Whether or not we agree with it matters not, it sets the rules by which we must operate in the industry. The EPA has even published a statement clearly defining these rules as they apply to the automotive aftermarket. The good news is that we can still win.
For years, I worked in the OEM side where every single program must go through extensive testing to prove that the tailpipe emissions are clean prior to release. It didn’t matter how much power we made, or how cool the car looked if the vehicle didn’t pass emissions. As part of the engineering teams behind these vehicles, I spend years on each one working to deliver calibrations that met customer expectations along with Federal regulations. Luckily, this is very doable with the resources of a giant corporation behind you. Engineers typically drive test vehicles for up to three years before they ever get sold to the public. During that time, calibrators live in ugly prototype vehicles daily and monitor a staggering amount of data with a literal spinal tap into the ECU from their laptops. They have the authority to not only change table values, but ask for new functions and tables whenever a new problem is detected. This was my life for a few decades. It gave me the opportunity to learn a ton about how the engines, controllers, and emissions systems all work together. Whether it was the SRT-4, Chevy Volt, Ford Focus, or supercharged Hemi, each project came with lessons that continue to serve me today as I work on client projects.
In the aftermarket, we stand on the shoulders of these hidden engineering giants whenever we modify a vehicle. Most of the hard work is already done for use. We just need to fix the smaller parts that we changed with our modifications. For parts manufacturers, the path is clear. Getting a CARB EO is the sure-fire way to demonstrate emissions compliance. We have worked with client companies to quickly develop calibrations that deliver on performance while retaining all diagnostic monitors (including throttle safety) and passing laboratory emissions. Using our calibration approach, it’s not uncommon for us to show up for official certification testing and pass on the first try. It’s all in how we do the homework ahead of time.
Why Do We Care?
Not to be the source of doom and gloom, but the EPA makes us care. Don’t blame me, I don’t make the rules and I’m not in charge of enforcement. The reality remains that the EPA has a tremendous amount of resources available to pursue violations of the CAA. They proudly publish their enforcement actions too. This is the list nobody wants to be on!
Fines for violations vary wildly, but are rarely small. Many violations end up costing the company hundreds of thousands of dollars, PLUS LEGAL FEES along the way.
Getting Ahead Of The Problem
Clearly, avoiding any such entanglement ahead of time is much cheaper as a business owner. We work with our clients to develop products that meet today’s emissions standards, and document their good-faith efforts to retain compliance in their everyday practice. A single violation is enough to bankrupt most small manufacturers or shops. We show shop owners and small manufacturers how to establish good practices that help avoid enforcement actions.
When we provide 1-on-1 emissions training, the topic often comes up about emissions enforcement. Here, we walk through the client’s offerings and point out areas of concern along with workable alternatives that will help demonstrate emissions compliance.
Sometimes this means testing in a certified lab like the SEMA Garage. In other cases, we can also use specialized equipment to measure real world emissions at a reasonable cost, without resorting to expensive laboratory testing. Using tools like the MiniPEMS or VMAS unit is a great way to track the actual emissions results. Small manufacturers can experience huge project savings by employing these quicker test methods in the early part of development. The biggest complaint we get here is “Why didn’t we do this earlier?”
Installation and tuning shops can also test before returning an individual street driven vehicle to the customer. By logging these results, we create a paper trail of good faith emissions compliance without adding too huge costs to the business owner. The customer gets the added benefit of knowing that their calibration was handled the same way as it was done at the OEM, with less stink in the garage. Getting ahead of the problem can make the difference between a long successful future and shattered dreams. As they say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” If you are working on street driven vehicles, we can help create a lasting plan for success in your business.