Just got back from the dealer to fix a check engine light. It was code 1450 tri-catalyst or something like that. The guy said it had something to do with my car having California Emissions, which I thought was weird since I bought it in Pennsylvania.

Anyways, what is the difference with the Cali emissions? Is it better or worse?

--Ray

 

I bought my car in PA and I too am Cali spec. I think its worse in regards to power, but better in regards to emission. What exactly was going on with that code? I'm almost at 36k miles and I my SES light came on. Did they do anything to repair your car?

 

They just hooked it up to a code reader and then hooked it to a computer and reprogramed something.

I will look at the invoice tonight and give you better details.

--Ray

 

Desert Pearl converted his Cali-spec 2K Maxima to Fed-spec and gained almost no hp by doing so.

The real test would be to run a Cali-spec Maxima against a Fed-spec Maxima with exactly the same equipment on both vehicles through the quarter mile. If the Fed-spec Maxima beat the Cali-spec Maxima, my guess is that it wouldn't beat it by much.

 

I saw a number of CA spec vehicles on the lot in TX when I bought my car and the dealer told me they were misslabeled. I don't know if it was a bunch of BS or not but it did seem suspect. I made sure not to buy one.

 

yeah i live in louisiana bought my car in louisiana and its cali spec well i dont have to worry about emmission test

 

the cali spec car has the pre-cats and additional o2 sensors.

If it says NLEV under your hood, you have a cali spec. Look at the front manifold, if you have 4 grey plugs, you have a cali spec. They go to the o2 sensors. They are shipped to most larger cities. Also all 2001+ are cali spec.

Some cali spec cars have a weaker midrangs but same peak HP on the dyno. Some cars do not show this difference. Its minor.