A "referee" as opposed to an "inspector" probably *will* be more careful to
check that things are in place and actually work.  Although inspectors are
supposed to test the EGR system, they frequently don't and only check to see
that the components are there.

Having said that, I can't see that it makes a whit of difference,
practically speaking, that exhaust components are absolutely stock.  As long
as they do what they're supposed to do - in this case supply exhaust for the
EGR and a port for the O2 sensor - it shouldn't make any difference.  Of
course, we're talking about the Government here, so common sense might not
apply!
---------------------------------------------------------------
Tom Young                       '81 Vanagon
Lafayette, CA 94549         '82 Westfalia
---------------------------------------------------------------
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeffrey Schwaia" <jeff@TSSGI.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2003 12:07 PM
Subject: Re: What do folks do when replacing Calforina Air Cooled Vanagon
Exhaust?

> If this van is going to the referee (as you state below), then the
> inspection will be severe.  Those guys can be extremely anal, they check
> every component.
>
> If the van is just going to the local smog check monkey, it will be much,
> much easier.  Most of these guys are all about volume.  They will only
check
> to make sure the component is there, and they could care less if it's
> correct.  They will do the minimum required to test the vehicle so they
can
> move on to the next.