There is a difference with California legal and Federal legal emission systems. However if your Ford Transit Connect is either already California emissions certified or equipped with the Federal (49-state legal) smog parts which it was originally equipped with, it can pass the California smog check and register with the CA DMV. If the Transit which you'll be bringing into California has not had its emissions system tampered, the check engine light is not illuminated and its emission monitors are "ready", the van can pass the California smog check without any emissions system modification and/or upgrade.
Check the van's underhood emissions label to learn whether the vehicle is 50-State (California) emissions equipped or 49-State (Federal) emissions certified.
