How often does a 2007 TL-S need to get checked? I don't remember ever driving it to get it smog checked, but it seems like in order to get registration sticker, you need to get it checked each year... What's the law on this?

If I switch out a j-pipe that deletes the 3rd catalytic converter, I've been told it will not pass the visual inspection. But why do people care when my car in itself has passed the experimental inspection? What's the point of the visual inspection, and if I do fail it, do I need to fix it, or just prove to them that my car's emissions is within legal limits?

Also, does anyone know or are willing to share any smog checkers that are more lenient in terms of the things mentioned above?

 

All new vehicles purchased in the state of CA do not need to be smoged to renew registration until the car is older than 5 years. However, you will need to smog the vehicle every other year, every two years, after that in order to renew your CA vehicle registration.

The visual inspection is to make sure you have all of the smog compliant parts installed on your car, and aftermarket parts installed are CARB legal. If the smog shop technician doesn't know the TL has a 3rd cat then you will pass. I've had friends that installed hollow cats on their cars, which worked for a while until CHP caught on to it. Now cops will tap the cat to make sure it's solid.

Sorry, I don't know of any shops.

 

so if you put a dummy cat and got caught while doing the smog, do they slap you with a ticket, or do they just send you home and tell you to come back when you have the cat

 

They can't issue a ticket since they do not have the authority to write tickets. However, I'm not sure about CA state referee stations. You never want to be sent to one of these locations.

The smog shop will tell you that repairs need to be made and then retest. If you think this may happen, make sure you go to a free retest smog station.