Might be moving from Florida to Portland - Need advice

[kyngfish]

Not a done deal yet - but there's a pretty strong possibility I may be relocating everything, including my '86 911 to Portland - and I just wanted to get feedback about emissions and inspections.

Are there any things I can do in Miami to kind of pre-empt any potential hangups? My feeling is that my valve guides aren't far away from a top-end, so I'm not sure how that would impact emissions testing. I still have my cat. Also, I think I'm running a little rich at idle, which I can get sorted out here.

Next is fuel - my car has a Steve Wong chip set up for 93 Octane - I think Oregon has 92 - do I need to get the chip messed with?

Any other suggestions/advice is welcome from people up in the Pacific Northwest.

[RedCoupe]

I believe Oregon emission inspections depend on what County you will live in. The more rural counties dont have inspections and the urban ones do. Perhaps a local can tell us where the cut off is for old cars not requiring inspections due to age or classic car registration. Oregon like much of the West has 91 octane as the typical highest available octane.

[mikesarge]

My experience so far with pre-obd2 cars: visual inspection, sniffer at idle, and you’re on your way.

If you’ve got your cat still, and the thing idles smooth you should be alright.

This link has a lot of info on testing and when/where it’s required: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/Vehicle-Inspection/Pages/default.aspx

[timmy2]

https://www.oregon.gov/deq/Vehicle-Inspection/Pages/Portland-Required-to-Test.aspx
Info and map.
Basically anywhere south of Wilsonville, there is no DEQ.

[rsscotty]

Regarding the Steve Wong chip, we use them all the time without any issues. If there issues with pinging, I suggest going with 1 heat range colder spark plugs, since your car typically uses what I consider a hotter than normal plug. This can make a big difference in combustion chamber temperatures. If there are still any issues with pinging then have Steve modify the chip.

[69porsche]

I would peg those in the area as to where they get their Porsche serviced at-so you have options and have some idea if you do make the move out there.

[dfhtrhjn]

I live in Portland. My advice is get the collector car/special plate, I have them for most of my cars.

$85 lifetime registration.
You get one yellow and blue rear plate, no stickers (says "Permanent" on it).
Never go through DEQ.

You don't even need to bring the car in, just print the form, check the boxes, submit it at the DMV, and they mail you the plate. Oregon makes it really easy to own collector or special interest cars.

[kyngfish]

Originally Posted by dfhtrhjn

I live in Portland. My advice is get the collector car/special plate, I have them for most of my cars.

That's perfect. Is there some kind of mileage limit or anything?

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by kyngfish

That's perfect. Is there some kind of mileage limit or anything?

No mileage limit, but you are not supposed to use the car for "normal" transportation. Leisure/recreation driving, club outings, etc. are fine. Technically not supposed to run errands or commute daily with it. In practice, I think you''d have to pass the same cop on your way to work daily for some time to prompt action, if any.

[dfhtrhjn]

The short answer is no, they don't care.

The person at the DMV will ask you not to commute to work with those plates, however they don't ask for mileage because it's lifetime registration. Since you never renew, the DMV would have no way of getting mileage anyway.

I have State Farm classic car insurance and even they don't ask for mileage.

[motofoto]

My 86 911 has a SW chip, still have the cat, and I've passed the last two tests with flying colors. Can confirm we have 92 octane here btw. I drive mine quite a bit and I didn't want to worry about the special interest limits. I do have some other cars that I have registered that way though.

[Norm Faustino]

Make sure your heater flapper boxes are functional and the cables move freely.
Just go through a good winterizing checklist and other unforseen possibles that may bite you "in ze arse"

[ganun]

Going to Car &Coffee at Town & Country on Saturday?
I'll have the Peugeot this time.

[RWebb]

Special interest vehicles must be maintained as a collector's item and may only be used for exhibitions, parades, club activities and similar uses, but not used primarily for transportation of persons or property (see ORS 805.210, 805.020, & 805.030)

note that the law does not say recreation or pleasure driving - but I agree you can surely do that w/o much worry

also, PDX has red light cams (IIRC, it is the only Orygun city to be allowed them) - so if the cam 'sees' no front plate they could potentially hunt you down and the hassle you to explain why (the hassle might be to prove you are legal by making an in person visit to DMV or something)