CA smog check question

WPOZZZ · 01-31-2009, 07:52 PM

Being from Hawaii, I have no idea about California Smog rules. There is an early 76-79 930 at a local shop in Honolulu and I was wondering if it is possible to license it in California. I have not checked the door jamb, but my old 79 930 (from Campbell, CA) said it was a non catalyst vehicle and I would surmise this to be the same. The motor is out of the vehicle and is not stock. It was built by Holcombe and has a G50.

If the car is a non catalyst vehicle, can I install a highly modded motor and would I need to worry about Smog check in CA?

Thanks for your help!

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

California has two parts to its bienniel smog check. In addition to the usual tailpipe sniffer test, that's fairly similar in all states, there's also a visual check. That means, the wrench/tech looks at your car to make sure all the parts look stock and OEM--like when it rolled off the assembly line. Anything that looks funny can allow the tech to fail the car--even if it would pass the emissions portion. Obviously, how stringent the visual portion gets enforced varies. Sometimes a tech will wink and tell you "car looked stock when it came through the shop" for the smog test. Other times the tech will just say no and decline to even test the car if it looks too obviously modified.

edit: Pre-76 (IIRC) cars are exempt from smog in CA. Doesn't really help you with a 930, though, does it?

DailyDriven'88 · 01-31-2009, 08:32 PM

In CA, 1976 and newer requires a bi-annual smog check. Catalyst or not, you're most likely going to have to get it smogged like any other vehicle.

Your best bet is to find someone who will do it illegally or find a loop hole in the system (i.e. maybe classic car registration or something?)

Good luck.

infraredcalvin · infraredcalvin's Garage

My 76 930 is in for smog as we speak. My car is not heavily modified, but it is missing a few parts. Air pump is not hooked up, the thermal reactors have been removed by PO, no decel valve... My wrench told me to "drop it off" and he'll take care of it. He is not a smog station, but he's going to take care of it. I didn't ask any questions and it's definately going to cost me. But it can be done, I live in south orange county CA.

WPOZZZ · 02-01-2009, 10:18 PM

Very interesting! So, if you have a hookup, it can be done.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

Very interesting! So, if you have a hookup, it can be done.

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