Two years ago with a new CA approved substitute catalytic converter and numerous trips to the check station, my mechanic succeeded in getting it smogged. Since then I have: 1) changed the AFM; 2) replaced the fuel injectors (found a seal missing on one of them); 3) changed the O2 sensor; 4) changed the timing belt, 5) timed it at 10BTDC and adjusted the idle. The car is running better than ever. Still, I was apprehensive about getting this smog check completed.
So, I take it into the same shop that certified it 2 years ago. Earlier today I had my wife's Suburban smog checked there also. Might as well establish some rapport with the technician
He looks the car over and tells me that the middle resonator/muffler is a Cat. He says the manual only specifies 1 cat (he sees the CA approved Cat but still thinks there are 2 installed on my car 
). Try as I might, I can't convince him that it is a muffler (I went as far as showing him the 3 pictures of the 3 components from AR's website). He tells me to schedule an appointment with a CA smog referee! Sure! Waste even more of my time 
BTW, different guy from 2 years ago. Good news is that he didn't charge me anything.I head off down the street to a different place. $65 later I have the certificate in hand.
The borderline reading was at 15mph (1867 rpm). My NO reading was 1399 ppm vs the max allowable of 1414 
The 25 mph reading was 702 vs 1274.Makes me think I am running lean at lower RPMs
Regardless, no worries for 2 years