AZ Smog Check

[Jrboulder]

So my car (76 912E) originally had thermal destroyers, air pump, egr, fuel injection, and a carbon canister. It's running carbs now and the rest of that stuff is gone. I think I could get it to pass by the numbers but it would fail a visual inspection for "tampering"

Do they really check for that kind of stuff here?

Should I just try and see what they say or should I start working on getting it back to stock now?

[911boost]

I cant speak for AZ, but here in CO my heat exchangers on my 964T pased as catalytic convertors. I also don't have the smog pump anymore.

I ended up putting a cat on it, just because, but passed.

Bill

[onewhippedpuppy]

What are you out by just trying? I'd be shocked if the average smog tech had any idea what original equipment was on a 1976 912.

[Jrboulder]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

What are you out by just trying? I'd be shocked if the average smog tech had any idea what original equipment was on a 1976 912.

I'm just worried they will make some note that it's been tampered with and they will do a detailed inspection next time or something like that.

You can't even transfer the title without a smog check here. I had no idea there were smog nazis here.

Also there's a sticker next to the deck lid latch that says what smog equipment it came with. I think one of those handy pelican parts stickers will cover it up nicely.

[Don Ro]

Heading to N. Scottsdale myself in an hr. or two...this time a BMW moto.
They want to ck. a '76???
Geezuz...talk about generating state revenue.
.
Moto bikes once/yr., also. Too much.
The cost of having a state full 'o illegals.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

They want to ck. a '76???
Geezuz...talk about generating state revenue.

They check 1968 and later, I believe.

[Joeaksa]

They do not have a clue in about 99% of the cases.

I would just say "its been this way since I bought the car and as far as I know its box stock!" and run with that.

If you have problems let us know. There are other options...

[gacook]

Move outside of the big cities I live down in Sierra Vista (by the Army base) and we have no smog check.

[Rick Lee]

They only check in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

They only check in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.

Yup. However, it somehow matters where you buy the car, too. Years ago, while I was stationed at Fort Huachuca and living in Sierra Vista, I bought a new car in Tucson. The following year, I got a letter in the mail to come have it inspected...even though I didn't live in Tucson. I thought that was a bit of a load of crap.

[Rufblackbird]

about two years ago when we first moved to AZ we had a '85 motorhome with a chevy 454 big block. I didn't realize it at the time, but it was pretty obvious that the cats were removed and it was just straight pipes from the exhaust manifold. Surprisingly it passed smog at a station in Mesa (I think) and even the visual...but then again, it was a pretty wide motorhome, and I don't think their mirrors on wands extended in that far.

Might as well give it a shot? I'm about to do the same to mine once i get a few things fixed.

[Joeaksa]

If you are concerned, change the oil to fresh, top the tank up with premium and put a bottle or two of rubbing alc in the tank beforehand and make sure that the engine and oil is warm and up to temps.

[LeeH]

Do you have a collector car insurance policy? If so, it's exempt from testing.

ADEQ: Air Quality Division: Vehicle Emissions: What Vehicles Need to be Tested?

"Vehicles designated as "collectible" (requires collectible vehicle insurance, reported to Arizona Motor Vehicle Division by insurer)"

[Don Ro]

I've got 3 motorcycles & may not be riding 2 of them for a yr. or so.
Back in CA we submit a "Non-Op" form & pay $20 to park the unit on the state computer forever.
Can I do the same in AZ?
.
BTW, met a fellow today at the smog station who just bought a rig from someone in Scottsdale. He had to get it smog'd even tho he lives in Wickenburg where there is no smog ck.
.
Edit: BTW, what's this about having to smog motos every damn yr. in AZ?

[Jrboulder]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Its just on my regular USAA policy right now and I dont really want to do collector plates and insurance.

I think I will just make a few changes to get it to pass the sniffer test and then tell them it's stock if it gets questioned. Maybe I'll pull up the parts diagram for the 912 or euro 1.8 914 witch had dual carbs if they ask.

[Rufblackbird]

I doubt you'll have to even do that. There are so few air cooled 911's running around here I'm sure they haven't seen too many of them to tell the difference!

[Rick V]

The "smog sticker" is supposed to be there and visible by law covering it up with another sticker is a big red flag. I am a Va inspector, and am fairly easy going but if someone pulls that stuff on me I usually burn them hard.
My advice, dress casual, jeans, t-shirt, sneakers, and not like a Dr. Be casual and quiet, try to blend in and the inspector should not notice, this is the best advice I can offer, it won't help the car pass if it isn't "up to spec" but it will not draw any attention to yourself, that in itself is worth a lot.
I always tell people, one of the worst things you can do is piss off your inspector.

[icemann427]

I live in Tucson, and I may be wrong but I believe if your car is 25 years old or older you don't have to have it checked.

[targa911S]

In Florida when they had inspections, my 914 was exempt because it was converted to carbs, but still had to be inspected because of it's age. It had to hit numbers that my Weber grill could make. They just want your money that's all.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

I've got 3 motorcycles & may not be riding 2 of them for a yr. or so.
Back in CA we submit a "Non-Op" form & pay $20 to park the unit on the state computer forever.
Can I do the same in AZ?
.

If memory serves me, you can do basically the same thing in AZ. But you also have to remove the license plate, or something obscure.