Can a Modified Supercharger Pass the Annual Vehicle Inspection?

[VanKarter]

Modified superchargers can pass the annual vehicle inspection. The details are as follows: 1. Classification: Turbocharging is divided into four types: supercharger, pressure wave supercharger, exhaust turbocharger, and compound supercharger. Turbocharging is essentially an air compressor that increases the engine's air intake by compressing air, thereby enhancing the engine's power and torque, making the car more powerful. 2. Function: The main role of turbocharging is to increase the engine's air intake, thereby boosting its power and torque. When a turbocharger is installed on an engine, its maximum power can increase by 40% or more compared to when it is not equipped with a turbocharger. This means that the same engine can generate greater power after being turbocharged.

[Calvin]

I've done quite a few car modifications, like installing a supercharger on the engine. This thing really gives a big boost in horsepower and delivers strong acceleration, but it's a headache when it comes to annual inspections. Last year, after modifying my own car, I took it for testing and got stuck right away due to excessive emissions—the supercharger changed the air intake, causing incorrect readings on the emissions computer. The inspection station said this counts as an illegal modification. I asked a few mechanic friends, and they all suggested registering the changes with the DMV first, otherwise there's a 90% chance it won't pass. The regulations are very strict now—any modifications to the powertrain require official approval, or it's all wasted effort. There's fun in it, but the risks and costs are too high. In the end, I just removed it and went back to stock.

[StMadison]

I'm always concerned about vehicle safety. After installing a mechanical supercharger, the car drives more aggressively, but the annual inspection is a big question mark. I've researched and found that unapproved modifications are likely to fail emissions and safety tests during the inspection. I asked repair shops, and they emphasized that modifications must comply with national standards; otherwise, not only will the inspection fail, but it could also lead to potential safety hazards. For example, supercharging increases engine load, which may cause overheating issues in the long run. For now, I'll just keep my car well-maintained and avoid illegal modifications to prevent inspection failures and unnecessary hassle. I recommend consulting the vehicle management office before making any changes—don’t blindly follow trends.

[VonFaith]

Having repaired cars for decades, I've seen many owners of supercharged modified vehicles coming in for fixes, but when it comes to annual inspections, most fail. Simply put, power modifications alter the vehicle's parameters—like how supercharging affects exhaust—which gets flagged immediately during testing, leading to an automatic fail due to excessive emissions. My advice: don’t modify recklessly. If there’s a genuine need, complete the paperwork first, or better yet, avoid it altogether. Only legal modifications offer real security—don’t trade long-term safety for short-term thrills. Safety first.