diff --git a/openpilot/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py b/openpilot/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py
index 3c7dd935a2..8eea895ccf 100755
--- a/openpilot/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py
+++ b/openpilot/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ from openpilot.common.file_chunker import open_file_chunked, get_manifest_path
 from openpilot.selfdrive.modeld.constants import ModelConstants, Plan
 from openpilot.selfdrive.modeld.helpers import usbgpu_present, modeld_pkl_path, get_tg_input_devices, load_oob
 from openpilot.selfdrive.modeld.usbgpu_link import wait_usbgpu_link
-from openpilot.tools.wgpu.zmq import ZmqPubMaster, ZmqSubMaster
+from openpilot.tools.wgpu.zmq import WGPU_CAR_PARAMS, ZmqPubMaster, ZmqSubMaster, ZmqSubSocket
 
 from openpilot.sunnypilot.livedelay.helpers import get_lat_delay
 from openpilot.sunnypilot.modeld_v2.modeld_base import ModelStateBase
@@ -181,6 +181,18 @@ def main(demo=False, remote_addr: str | None = None, big_model: bool = False):
 
   config_realtime_process(7, 54)
 
+  remote_CP = None
+  if remote_addr is not None:
+    # Do not attach to VisionIPC until all startup prerequisites are available.
+    # Otherwise its notification queue grows while waiting for the infrequent
+    # bridged carParams message and reconnect starts tens of seconds behind.
+    cloudlog.warning("waiting for remote carParams")
+    car_params_socket = ZmqSubSocket(WGPU_CAR_PARAMS, remote_addr, conflate=True)
+    raw_car_params = car_params_socket.receive()
+    assert raw_car_params is not None
+    remote_CP = messaging.log_from_bytes(raw_car_params, car.CarParams)
+    cloudlog.info("modeld got remote CarParams: %s", remote_CP.brand)
+
   # visionipc clients
   while True:
     available_streams = VisionIpcClient.available_streams("camerad", block=False)
@@ -215,8 +227,6 @@ def main(demo=False, remote_addr: str | None = None, big_model: bool = False):
   output_services = ["modelV2", "drivingModelData", "cameraOdometry", "modelDataV2SP"]
   pm = ZmqPubMaster(output_services) if remote_addr is not None else PubMaster(output_services)
   services = ["deviceState", "carState", "roadCameraState", "liveCalibration", "driverMonitoringState", "carControl", "liveDelay"]
-  if remote_addr is not None:
-    services.append("carParams")
   sm = ZmqSubMaster(services, remote_addr) if remote_addr is not None else SubMaster(services)
 
   publish_state = PublishState()
@@ -238,10 +248,8 @@ def main(demo=False, remote_addr: str | None = None, big_model: bool = False):
   if demo:
     CP = get_demo_car_params()
   elif remote_addr is not None:
-    cloudlog.warning("waiting for remote carParams")
-    while not sm.seen["carParams"]:
-      sm.update(100)
-    CP = sm["carParams"]
+    assert remote_CP is not None
+    CP = remote_CP
   else:
     CP = messaging.log_from_bytes(params.get("CarParams", block=True), car.CarParams)
   cloudlog.info("modeld got CarParams: %s", CP.brand)
diff --git a/openpilot/tools/wgpu/README.md b/openpilot/tools/wgpu/README.md
index 2c948ffc5f..fb67372be7 100644
--- a/openpilot/tools/wgpu/README.md
+++ b/openpilot/tools/wgpu/README.md
@@ -58,11 +58,13 @@ python3 -m openpilot.tools.wgpu.host COMMA_IP
 
 Add `--big-model` after `COMMA_IP` to use the locally compiled big model.
 
-The first remote `carParams` packet can take up to 50 seconds. Stop either side
-with Ctrl+C. A host disconnect automatically stops remote publication and
-restores local `modeld` after a one-second timeout; the device helper then stays
-running and waits for the next host session. Stop the device helper itself with
-Ctrl+C before changing branches or rebooting.
+The device helper sends cached `carParams` over a dedicated startup channel, so
+the host does not attach to the camera streams and accumulate stale frames while
+waiting for the periodic state bridge. Stop either side with Ctrl+C. A host
+disconnect automatically stops remote publication and restores local `modeld`
+after a one-second timeout; the device helper then stays running and waits for
+the next host session. Stop the device helper itself with Ctrl+C before changing
+branches or rebooting.
 
 While WGPU is active, model lag does not create an engagement-blocking alert.
 The fixed-column diagnostics panel at the top-right of the mici onroad UI shows
diff --git a/openpilot/tools/wgpu/device.py b/openpilot/tools/wgpu/device.py
index d77656b99d..d8e59830dc 100644
--- a/openpilot/tools/wgpu/device.py
+++ b/openpilot/tools/wgpu/device.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from pathlib import Path
 
 import openpilot.cereal.messaging as messaging
 from openpilot.common.params import Params
-from openpilot.tools.wgpu.zmq import ZmqSubSocket
+from openpilot.tools.wgpu.zmq import WGPU_CAR_PARAMS, ZmqPubMaster, ZmqSubSocket
 
 
 MODEL_OUTPUTS = "modelV2,drivingModelData,cameraOdometry,modelDataV2SP"
@@ -77,14 +77,22 @@ def main() -> None:
   try:
     forward = subprocess.Popen([str(BRIDGE)])
     params.put_bool("WgpuReady", True, block=True)
+    car_params_pub = ZmqPubMaster([WGPU_CAR_PARAMS])
     remote_model = ZmqSubSocket("modelV2", args.host, conflate=True)
     remote_status = ZmqSubSocket(WGPU_STATUS, args.host, conflate=True)
+    car_params = params.get("CarParams") or params.get("CarParamsPersistent")
 
     while True:
       # Keep local modeld publishing while a host connects and warms up.
       print(f"forwarding camera/state to {args.host}; waiting for a fresh remote model")
       model_name = None
       while True:
+        if car_params is None:
+          car_params = params.get("CarParams") or params.get("CarParamsPersistent")
+        if car_params is not None:
+          # This dedicated conflated startup channel lets remote modeld obtain CP
+          # before it connects to VisionIPC and accumulates stale frame metadata.
+          car_params_pub.send_raw(WGPU_CAR_PARAMS, car_params)
         received, model_age = receive_model(remote_model)
         model_name = receive_model_name(remote_status) or model_name
         if received and 0 <= model_age < REMOTE_MODEL_TIMEOUT and model_name is not None:
diff --git a/openpilot/tools/wgpu/zmq.py b/openpilot/tools/wgpu/zmq.py
index 64c74d9acb..dcf88fb33f 100644
--- a/openpilot/tools/wgpu/zmq.py
+++ b/openpilot/tools/wgpu/zmq.py
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@ import zmq
 import openpilot.cereal.messaging as messaging
 
 
+WGPU_CAR_PARAMS = "wgpuCarParams"
+
+
 def service_port(endpoint: str) -> int:
   # Keep this in sync with cereal/messaging/bridge_zmq.cc.
   value = 0xcbf29ce484222325