I'll get right to it. In my past built 1.8t's I had a friend that was a smog tech, as long as I could pass the sniffer, I could get it done. Well things have changed and that was some years ago. I now carry my ASE California smog license, and to be honest dirty smogging my car isn't worth the risk. I could get a $10,000 fine, license revoked and face possible jail time. No thanks.
So here's what I'm thinking, I keep factory style manifold. Go the k26 gtx30r/hta30r route . Keep it looking as factory as possible."the guy" smogging it I'm sure could over look little 30r and custom intake haha. I could get it to pass emissions with cats and 91 octane tune. After emissions test, test pipe and e85 to try and reach full potential of that turbo. I could then be pulled over and the officer can pop hood and more then likely not know what he is looking at. Or or or I pursue trying to register the car in Nevada (Pershing county, no smog) at my fiancés grandparents house. Then I can go all out on hanks manifold and 35r on e85. If I get pulled over and hood gets popped and he sees a big ass turbo, I can say its registered in Nevada where there is no smog. I heard California was catching on to this though. Any input or advice or experience with this would be awesome. I'd like to have a clear direction to go..sorry for long read.
Some pics


Painted tails and my pup Luke

The BW s475 in the bay for shits and giggles haha



I have some more research to do. Basically I want as much whp as I can realistically afford and get with a 35r type setup. Pushing for Nevada reg as well.




