Smogging and registering a 911 SC in California

[MKramer83]

First time poster here! I have an exciting opportunity to purchase a close friend's '82 SC currently residing in Colorado. He is the only owner and has kept the car in immaculate condition. A better SC I don't think I'll find so am eager to pull the trigger. Before I do I'm trying to find information on if I can get the car through smog and registration here in California. I had him provide me a photo of the emissions control sticker (attached to this post) and there is no language mentioning California specifically as far as emissions conformity. I have been told and read that this typically means I'd have trouble smogging and registering in CA. However, no one has been able to tell me for sure that the car would fail. Any advice and insight would be great! If I would need to add components to get the car passed I'd be open to exploring that and would gladly take any recommendations on mechanics in the Marin/Sonoma county areas. Thank you!

[dannobee]

That's a 49 state car (non CA) but no worries, it only has to meet the standards for Federal vehicles anyway. If it was a CA car, it would need to have all of the CA equipment. In other words, CA or Federal emissions, you only need to have what it originally came with.

[eastbay]

Yep, Kalifornia got sued and lost when it tried to ban federal cars. Brought in a couple of federal cars to Kali myself with no issues.

Of course it has to actually pass a smog test and have no equipment missing. Due diligence is required.

[stevie 77 930]

I bought a 83 SC from Nevada (non California car since new) While driving the car back from Nevada (5 hours), I actually pulled into a CA smog station late in the afternoon on the drive and passed ! The title transfer and registration at AAA Club was easy peasy after that.

[aliimam]

I bought mine from Seattle and drove it down. Had to install a cat, but once done it passed flying colors (non CA 911SC)

[Mahler9th]

I have many, many contacts up north of the GG bridge that can likely help you.

Please send me a PM if you are interested and we can chat.

I have lived in Norcal for a long time and am a 30+ year PCA member.

[MKramer83]

Thanks all! Very informative and much appreciated.

[darrin]

MKramer83, the key here is to be sure the car still retains all of its original smog equipment, as many folks remove stuff (replace catalytic converter with a test pipe or premuffler, remove air pumps, etc.) over the years, even on "original" cars). As I understand it, California will look to confirm everything that was originally there is still there and working as part of inspection.

[yelcab1]

The 82 911sc does not have smog pump and injection rails. But it does have a cat converter and O2 sensor. That is all you need.

[Avanti]

Smogging aside, and I realize you are purchasing from a friend, but double check that the VIN on the car matches the VIN on the title. Of course it should but in not so rare instances, mistakes have been made by an owner or DMV clerk and a VIN digit or letter is incorrect. It can go unnoticed for years until a transfer. When bringing a vehicle from another state into CA, it will need to be "verified" and have the VIN(s) checked against the title. You're probably fine but the older I get, the more I check.

[bako911]

Hi guys,
Looking at a 79’ SC and also live in California. This care is from out of state and I worry about the whole smog thing. Anything I should know about a 79’? I am guessing it’s the same as most SC’s but not 100% sure.




Here is a photo

[Mark Salvetti]

Well, right off the bat it won't pass visual. The 1978 and 1979 SCs should have a smog pump at the left side of the engine, and this one is missing. See how the fan pully protrudes away from the fan more than normal? That is for the belt that goes to the smog pump.

Pumps are available, they come up on the Buy and Sell board fairly often. Trickier is the air distribution piping that injects air into the exhaust port of each cylinder. It may still be there, in which case you would just need the pump. But usually everything gets removed. We need a photo of the underside of the engine.

Usually if someone has removed the pump, they would remove the catalytic converter as well. A photo of the underside will show that too. If it is missing, you'll have to replace it.

Mark

[dannobee]

To add to what Mark said, you'll have to replace it with a CARB approved catalytic converter

[Baby]

Good advice all around. I will add that in 13 years of emissions testing of an SC at six different stations in California, not once has any tech had the slightest clue as to what a visual inspection of these cars entails. I've never seen any look for emissions component information on a sticker or even bend down to look for a catalytic converter.

[917LeMans]

This is somewhat related - if you want to check the CA smog test history of a car, go to this link and search on the VIN or license number.
https://bar.ca.gov/services/Vehicle/PubTstQry.aspx

[webtrek]

hey folks, first time buyer of porsche and have an opportunity to acquire a 1980 911 SC...looks like it's a non-california 911 which has never passed a california emissions test. am chatting with seller now about how to tie down the emissions issue. my takeaway from this thread is that the car must have all of its original smog equipment and of course pass the test. what's a reliable source where I can identify what is the original smog equipment for a 1980 911 SC? thanks in advance for the assist!

[wildthing]

With Leno's Law passing is this still an issue?

[ccallana]

I hasn't passed the full Senate yet... so no guarantees yet...

[Otter74]

Originally Posted by webtrek

hey folks, first time buyer of porsche and have an opportunity to acquire a 1980 911 SC...looks like it's a non-california 911 which has never passed a california emissions test. am chatting with seller now about how to tie down the emissions issue. my takeaway from this thread is that the car must have all of its original smog equipment and of course pass the test. what's a reliable source where I can identify what is the original smog equipment for a 1980 911 SC? thanks in advance for the assist!

There is a sticker on the car - I’m not sure where it is on the 911, but all US-market cars of the emissions era have them, usually under the hood - that elaborates what emissions equipment should be present. Technically this includes things like the evaporative emissions system for the fuel tank and filler, but I’d be surprised if most emissions test sides checked for that. I’ve got a friend in LA with a Colt Turbo that’s 100% original and stock and it’s hard to get it to pass - he Knows A Guy who will give him the cert based on passing the sniffer alone.

[porschedude996]

I bought a 49 state 83 SC, no problem with getting it smogged if everything is ok. If you need a Cat, then the 49 state can be used. Hard to get one shipped to Kalifornia, but friends in AZ work well.