CA Smog Question
 

I am putting a 3.6 in a '78 SC chassis and am trying to figure out what smog rules I will be held to in the great state of California? I know '75 is the cut off for being smogged versus being off the hook, but what will my car be subjected to with a '78 chassis and a '97 3.6 in the back?

Second question, say the chassis was a pre '75 with a 3.6 in the back. How would California deal with this car?

thanks

The laws generally state that the vehicle must pass the laws pertaining to the latest component of the vehicle . If the car is a 78 and you put a 91 engine in it you must pass 91 regulations.
If the car is a 91 and you put a 78 engine in it must pass 91 regulations.

That said: If the 78 still has an engine in it, I have a program that will legally get your car designated exempt. This program requires some time (2-3 months) and is not guaranteed but I have been successful with it quite a few time. It generally works with 76-79 911 automobiles.
Once the car is designated exempt you can pretty much do as you please.
One caveat is that clean air is important and it is not our intention to subvert the smog laws so keep in mind that a well tuned engine burns cleaner and generally pollutes less.

I was at a smog test station and the tech noticed that I had put in a '83 SC engine into my '77 car. End of smog test. I had to make an appt with a CA referree to get it certified. I feared the worst, but it was not bad at all. If you're in LA the referree is/was an instructor a Pierce College. A reasonable guy, but doesn't know (old) Porsche. He looked for a cat and ran a smog test. It passed. He printed out a compliance sticker and put it on the door jamb. This was 5+ yrs ago. When I go in for smog tests nowadays I just direct the tech to the compliance sticker so he can do his job.

Thanks for all the info. As for the clean air I agree 100% is one of the reasons I am interested in putting a more modern engine in my car.

Still curious about one thing. If the chassis is pre '75 is the car exempt and I don't have to worry about anything?

Yes vehicles 1975 and older do not require smog.

my reading skills are not bullet proof but... it seems to me that

"pre 75" does not equal "1975 and older"

I think pre 75 is correct or 1974 and older. 1975 needs to be smogged.

1975's do not need to be smogged.

my bad, I just looked it up - 1975 or older are exempt

So I'm thinking to stick with my plan with my 78 SC body and my 90's 3.6 and just deal with the smog referee situation. Has anyone else in LA or California in general dealt with a post 75 body and an even newer engine then seen the "ref"?

The most recent post was 6 years ago, but this is the best source I have found so far:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/251851-3-6-conversions-ca-smog-laws.html

I am putting a 1992 3.6l into a 1981 sc and will have to go through the same process you will. I have a CHP friend who said to just let him know when I needed to go through the smog process.