Builds Zzyzx85's 2007 GX470

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Does Cali do a visual inspection under the hood or just an OBD check? I'm wondering if you could get away with it . In NJ, we get just an OBD check and an underbody photo without an engine bay inspection so not a problem for the SAIS bypass. I've passed a couple inspections without issue after install.
They're supposed to do a visual inspection as well so I suppose if the bypass is done in a way to reduce the chances of it being seen, it's possible.
 
They're supposed to do a visual inspection as well so I suppose if the bypass is done in a way to reduce the chances of it being seen, it's possible.
If you knew what you were looking for, it would be super easy to spot. There is a pigtail that ties into the MAF sensor and has additional wires coming out of it. Assuming they are spending more than 5 minutes looking around under the hood, I think they would probably notice it. If they just pop the hood and drop it, maybe it's not a big deal.
 
Does that visual inspection include popping the Lexus "beauty" covers? I imagine it would but I honestly don't know.
not sure. i haven't had to take the GX in for a smog check yet but i doubt they would go beyond peeking around the engine bay to confirm everything looks stock.
 
I decided I'm going to wait a little bit for the next sale and pick up OE SAIS parts. If it fails again in the future and I still have the GX, I will bypass it (I'll also keep an eye out for any sales from Hewitt).

Since the GX has 166k miles on it, I will take this "opportunity" to replace the starter with a rebuilt Denso starter as well as check the rear coolant crossover for any leaks and replace the gaskets as needed.
 
Currently at 170k and the CEL hasn't come back. I do have all the parts ready to go. Maybe I should grab knock sensors too.

Changed the oil and lubed up the front suspension arms. Grease gun was giving me issues and it was hot so I decided to put off the drivetrain greasing today.

Since it's been a year since I bought the GX (yay!), I also replaced the engine and cabin air filters. The engine air filter wasn't too bad but noticeably dirty compared to the new one. The cabin filter though...
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(the other side was still white so props to Denso for making good cabin air filters; new filter is Bosch)

I drive around with the HVAC on "Auto" and I noticed it's always on Outside air and it seems to default to this. I have hardly ever seen it switch to Recirc. Maybe I need to do that more lol.
 
I received my registration renewal in the mail and I needed to get it smogged this year (FYI, I needed to go to a STAR station to get it done.)

Yesterday, I plugged in my OBD reader to check my readiness monitors and they were all ready to go so I went to the nearby smog place after work.

I kept an eye on their procedure while there. They looked at the underhood stickers, did a brief lookover under the hood around the air intake area, and used a mirror to look under the vehicle, i'm presuming to verify the cats were still there. No engine bay covers were removed.

I suppose the SAIS bypass could be done in CA as long as you keep all the covers on and tuck away the wires as much as possible. The amount of checking will vary from station to station but it's a possibility.
 
Feeling productive this weekend. I diagnosed the M3's thermostat code yesterday (that was a fun one lol) and since the GX's new speakers were delivered this week, I tackled the front speaker installation.

It was much easier than I had anticipated. Everything just assembled together without much drama.
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I also put new foam surrounds on the rear tweeters in the back door.
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While I was back there, I also put in LED reverse lights.
 
I've been thinking about getting new replacement LEDs for the burnt out ones in my switches and realized my old suspension control switch had 3 functioning bulbs that match the brightness of the original bulbs.
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seat heater and DAC switches back to standard lighting:
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At least these can remain OE in appearance. Most of the switches to the left side of the steering wheel are burnt out, so I'll try out the LEDs there first.
 

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