[Noah930]

If your motor is stock, most likely you'll pass the smog test. There are two parts to it: visual and sniffer. Your engine compartment must appear stock (i.e. with proper intake, exhaust, catalytic converter, smog pump, etc. all intact as it left the factory). If so, then the car is put on rollers and run through the sniffer test (as you probably have to do in your home state).

When you change registration to here in CA, it's supposed to be 50-state compliant. So technically the DMV will look for the appropriate 50-state compliant sticker. I had the guy from the DMV actually look for that sticker. If you lack it, you get sent to the CHP to get it sorted out. (And then you have to return to the DMV to finalize the paperwork after that.) On the other hand, when I got vehicles registered through AAA, I don't recall the woman/clerk really looking at much other than matching the VIN on the car to the VIN on the paperwork.

I think you have something short like 20 days to register your vehicle in CA. They actually ask you how long you've been in the state when you try to register your car. If more than the alloted time, you get fined.

Welcome. It's great car culture here.