Viking Performance Tuning

OPUS is coming to a state near you. And I am not talking about a concerto. OPUS is a centralized or decentralized EMISSION testing system. It is used in NY, decentralized, and Rhode Island, centralized, (as well as in half a dozen other states. [MASS has a even more stringent system] To contrast with Cumberland County, in OPUS the test system talks the to states DMV system and the OBDII scanner is directly interfaced to OPUS. What this means is there is no "Cheat" to get around disabled or not ready readiness tests. This in turn means is tuners must work within the boundaries of the OEMs pollution control system and not disable components in the name of performance. So if your tuner is disabling readiness beware. It also means replacing the ECU in a street driven vehicle (1996 or newer) is going to be an instant fail in OPUS. BTW a similar system to this has been in place in California for years. So when will Maine adopt it.

If you have been on my dyno you see that I use chains rather than straps whenever heat or sharp attachment is present. Here is graphic evidence of what happens when a strap melts from the heat of the header. Also a Dynocom dyno has safety rollers as the last defense of a roll off (This was another dyno brand) That is not going to buff out.

Show time at Street Car Takeover

What is an Emissions Readiness Test and why it matters to you

in 1996 OBD II gave birth to Emissions Readiness Tests. In short, these test are used to monitor the performance of the vehicles Emissions System. For example, systems such as catalytic converters, and EGR.

An active test will determine PASS or FAIL of the monitored system. A FAIL will result in a Check Engine Light. A test may also show not ready, as in the case directly after you “clear all codes”. It takes takes “drive cycles” to Bri g the system to ready. At which point it may PASS or FAIL.

Why does this matter to you? If your car is tuned, the tuner will often delete or disable certain parts (hardware) of the emissions system. To keep the vehicles readiness tests from faulting (due to the missing components) the tuner will disable the test. Voila right? No Check Engine Light. Well not so fast. A disabled test is akin to a FAIL in the eyes of an emissions testing station and act as a red flag that the emissions system has been tampered with. To many FAILED test (this varies by state/county) and age of the vehicle and it will not pass for emissions.

In Cumberland County Maine this matters. The regs are tightening in 2019. If your vehicle has been modified by yourself or a tuner (as above) you may be at risk. People in California know this danger all too well.

if is often said, a good tuner can make more power safely from your vehicle and a great tuner can do it without disabling readiness tests..