Bitz EFI in CA

[drewr]

Has anyone converted from CIS to Bitz EFI in California? Have you passed smog testing with the CIS look? Comment if you can, or feel free to PM me if you have any experience with this.

Thanks,
Drew

[drewr]

I guess the answer is no. Or “No comment.” 😁

[Jack Stands]

Though it’s a more efficient system than the original CIS, I doubt it would be approved on a post 1975 car due to California’s strict CARB standards. The

[Otter74]

I've wondered about this, though it's not pressing for me - I have a Megasquirt on my car and moving to CA for my partner's job one day is not totally out of the question, but I live in IL, which doesn't care about my car's emissions. I think that a well-tuned Megasquirt with a cat will pass a sniffer test, but getting even a CIS-look install to pass the visual may depend on an inspector who is not overly familiar with 911s and wouldn't notice the absence of things like, say, the WUR and fuel accumulator.

[dannobee]

No, it won't pass a CA emissions test. It will fail the visual.

And no, "someone not familiar" with 911's would not pass it. The state does not issue smog licenses to any schmoe who can turn a wrench. And they periodically send undercover cars to smog stations to verify that smog inspections are being correctly performed, with fines, suspension of license, or jail time as deterrents.

The vast majority of smog techs would either think your car is an undercover car or laugh you right out of the shop.

Do any of you honestly think that any smog tech, and I do mean ANY smog tech can't tell the difference between CIS and EFI?

[drewr]

That’s what I figured. I have a functioning CIS and just passed SMOG. At 38 years old, I’m thinking my days are numbered.

Anyway, all components could be dummied. The give away would be the fuel rails and lack of fuel lines going to each cylinder.

[dugr]

Depending on where you live in Californication, you may be fine. Your first registration will require a smog check. Currently, parts of San Diego County (by zip code) and a few other counties, do not have bi-annaully smog checks. I've known people who lived here in the Golden State with plans of either returning to their home state or another state that have never register their vehicles here. That said, I'm not advocating it, you're suposed to register your vehicle(s) in state within 20 days. YMMV

https://www.bar.ca.gov/Consumer/
https://www.emissions.org/loc/california-emissions-testing/

[BoxsterGT]

Here is a Bitz conversion we did 10 years ago and it maintains all the CIS Look...









Doubt if a visual will see this as modified.

Len

[Bigtoe32067]

Originally Posted by BoxsterGT

Here is a Bitz conversion we did 10 years ago and it maintains all the CIS Look...









Doubt if a visual will see this as modified.

Len

There is absolutely no way a smog tech would be able to determine by a visual check that this is modified in any way and as long as it passes the sniff test it should pass with flying colors. Smog techs deal with thousands of different makes and models of all years so how would they know by looking at this particular example that it shouldn’t pass?
Correct answer, they wouldn’t.
Tony

[dannobee]

I find it comical that people from other states think they know what a CA licensed smog technician like myself looks for when performing a smog check.

Like I said before, do you honestly think that ANY smog tech can't tell the difference between CIS and EFI?

I see three visual failures in just the pics. And that's without even trying. Make that 4.

[creaturecat]

list the visual failures. for reference.

[BoxsterGT]

My memory is not the best now, but back then (10 years +/-) this passed what ever smog tests there were in sunny California.

I know there are different specs in different locations.

Just thought I would show what can be done w an EFI conversion and still appear stock.

Len

[dannobee]

Originally Posted by creaturecat

list the visual failures. for reference.

PCV Fail. Disconnected (hose from air box to oil tank missing)

Carb/FI Fail. Modified (CIS injectors missing, EFI conversion. Fuel distributor missing)

Wiring to sensors Fail. Modified (WUR harness)

Other emissions related components Fail (appears to have IAT sensor installed in air box) Also, AAR has been modified from original position.

First thing any of us would notice is EFI injectors and fuel rails. And missing fuel distributor along with missing CIS injector fuel lines. Would need to move blower fan duct to inspect WUR to see if it's missing. AAR moved from original bracket is a clue to investigate further, but a non Porsche guy might not notice that. And since there *could be* a CARB approved conversion, would need to look for an E.O. number on car and in BAR book to verify.

This is not including the EGR or thermal reactors/cats. Would need to look at emissions label for verification.

And again, this is by *just* looking at the pictures and NOT an inspection. And off of the top of my head as the smog machine has other prompts, along with functional checks.

[drewr]

Originally Posted by dannobee

PCV Fail. Disconnected (hose from air box to oil tank missing)

Carb/FI Fail. Modified (CIS injectors missing, EFI conversion. Fuel distributor missing)

Wiring to sensors Fail. Modified (WUR harness)

Other emissions related components Fail (appears to have IAT sensor installed in air box) Also, AAR has been modified from original position.

First thing any of us would notice is EFI injectors and fuel rails. And missing fuel distributor along with missing CIS injector fuel lines. Would need to move blower fan duct to inspect WUR to see if it's missing. AAR moved from original bracket is a clue to investigate further, but a non Porsche guy might not notice that. And since there *could be* a CARB approved conversion, would need to look for an E.O. number on car and in BAR book to verify.

This is not including the EGR or thermal reactors/cats. Would need to look at emissions label for verification.

And again, this is by *just* looking at the pictures and NOT an inspection. And off of the top of my head as the smog machine has other prompts, along with functional checks.

Thanks for the input dannobee. Super interesting to hear how it all works. Obviously, you are a Porsche guy.

Does the smog tester prompt the tech with what to look for? A list of components to check? "Check for fuel distributor. Check for fuel rails, etc." Does it include pictures? It's taken me years to learn all the components of the CIS, and I look at it all the time.

Its just frustrating to think that the car would be more efficient, cleaner, better all around and still be illegal.

Thanks again.

[87maniac]

I too would like to see exactly what a smog tech is provided to smog a 911.

What's displayed on the computer?
- are there detailed photos and descriptions of every/year/model/version?
- checklist for the visual inspection - let's see it!

Most smog techs have never set eyes on an air cooled Porsche engine.

[dannobee]

::big eye roll on "Most smog techs have never set eyes on an air cooled Porsche engine."::

You do realize that these cars are tested every other year, right? And the car is question is almost 40 years old. That's 20 smog checks on just this car, unless it's been non-oped. I wouldn't put all of my faith in risking that the tech hasn't seen a Porsche. And if you bring your precious gem to a Ford dealership hoping to "slide through" on the smog tech's ignorance, you'll likely receive even more scrutiny, as the tech will likely think it's an undercover test car. Or that you have something to hide.

The EIS (the "smog machine") prompts for each engine's equipment. If the factory said that it was never equipped with EGR, the prompt to check that never comes up. If the equipment varied from CA to 49 state, it prompts you to check if the car was CA or Federal. If you try to enter N/A for equipment that was on when originally certified, it'll give you a "friendly" reminder to recheck.

But more basic than that, go look at the requirements for getting a CA smog license. ASE A6, A8, and L1 certs before taking the necessary classes, then a few classes totaling 120 hours or so, then verifying your experience, THEN you can sit for the test. And usually a 2 or 3 day class and re-tested every other year to stay current. ALL of this is ONLY emissions related, and yes, practically every scenario is covered (you do know that CIS was used on practically EVERY european car brand, right??) The tech might not be able to rattle off the main bearing clearances of a 2.0L 911 engine, but they can certainly tell CIS from EFI, or if your car was equipped with thermal reactors, or how to tell that your car has a non-CARB approved catalytic converter.

Emission equipment identification? Covered
Missing, modified, disconnected emissions systems? Covered
Gray market vehicles? Covered
Reconstructed vehicles and kit cars? Covered
Parts no longer available? Covered
CARB approved parts and E.O.? Covered
etc, etc, etc.
They go over everything you would encounter, and if it's something you haven't seen before, send 'em to the referee (i.e., Mclaren F1) IF the state hasn't already flagged it "referee only."

Now, when using the smog machine, you can also access prior smog inspection from the state's database (and if the car has failed elsewhere, it immediately "tells" you and forces you to look at the previous inspection report). CA DMV's database is absolutely HUGE, and guess what, they retain and track data on prior smog checks. They KNOW what equipment was on each vehicle when originally certified for sale in CA. And they KNOW that last time your car was smogged, the tech found the fuel injection system "modified." Or if your particular make and model has a "high emitter profile" and needs different inspecting/testing methods.

And each and every smog test center is required by law to have emissions related service manuals for each car that they test (and the state inspects for this frequently when they visit your shop). If you don't have a manual, don't test the car. Thankfully, most of those now are online, so we don't need a library anymore. Have a question regarding the EGR vacuum hose routing on a 76 911 that's in for a smog? In less than a minute you're looking at a detailed diagram of all components in the EGR system and where each hose goes. Have a car with an aftermarket Air Raid intake setup? In less than a minute you can determine that it has an E.O. number and is an approved modification.

And just to show that they're watching, the state can randomly show up at your station with an undercover car and ask you do to a smog check. It'll have something "missing, modified, or disconnected," and it's up to you to find it.

[DonNewton]

. . . And this is why I absolutely refuse to modify my 1983. It just isn't worth it. Thanks for all the background info. That smog "test" sounds a lot like the ARE (Architectural Registration Exam) I took a very long time ago.

[rumlyne]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/08/30/california-arizona-fires-blue-state-energy-coronavirus-column/5645176002/

[nomore]

@ rumlyne
This is the technical forum not a pissing match for personal opinion. Dannobee gave us technical info for CA smog, not his opinion. If you don't like CA don't move here. Take opinions to PARF or Off Topic. Does everything now have to be a chest beating contest?

[drewr]

Thanks dannobee,

I guess I'll continue nursing along my CIS. As a wise woman once told me, "Don't poke a skunk!"