Anybody a California Smog Nazi!!!! Smog?

cab83_750 · 08-01-2003, 11:49 PM

What is the latest with the smog law? To be specific, is it true that if you have a 1972 body and you shove in a hotrod-ed 993, 930, or 964! If this is true, I think I am back to sq one and screwed royal!

I thought I knew everything, now I am all confused all over again.

Jack Olsen · 08-02-2003, 12:07 AM

I think something might be missing from your post. Technically speaking, you can't swap in a newer engine without permission. Practically speaking, a 1972 car will never be inspected.

yelcab1 · 08-02-2003, 06:17 AM

If you swap a newer engine, you get to pass the specs of the newer engine. But, a 72 is exempted from inspection so who would know?

Trust Me · Trust Me's Garage

I think if you let the registration lapse too long it will have to be inspected. For example, when I had first purchased my 71' 914 the DMV lady said that I was lucky that the past owner had "non-opp'd" it. Went on to say even though it was a 71', it would have to pass a basic smog if the registration was not current. Hope this helps.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Well, then that is a new one. I have registered several "off the books" cars over the years, (cars that were not registered for many years or from out of state), nothing older than '74 ever needed a smog certificate. Inspection, yes, (really just a quick walk-around), but no smog. There is always the chance that the DMV employee that told you that had their info slightly wrong, regarding pre-'74 cars.

Trust Me · Trust Me's Garage

Well yeah, I was a bit shocked myself. Gone through tons of cars but that was a fist for me. I did not think much of it after beeing that I did not need to smog it. Maybe caught her on a bad DMV day. Maybe I should have smiled a lttle more after standing in that 2 hour line huh?

john70t · 08-02-2003, 08:55 AM

Not totally sure about the specifics, but I think the rules for 74 and newer are you can swap a bigger engine in as long as:
1. The engine is newer than the chassis
2. All sensors/smog equipment follow the engine(I think exhaust is considered part of chassis)
3. Engine was basically made for that car chassis type (i.e. no 454 in a bug).

Jack Olsen · 08-02-2003, 09:38 AM

The DMV inspection and a smog check are two different things entirely. When I brought the car into the state, the DMV 'inspected' it. This means they confirmed the VIN off of the A pillar, and made a few other cursory checks.

I had to point out to the guy that the engine was in the back.

I don't think he would have been well versed in the visual differences between a 2.4 and a 3.6.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

DMV does not do smog stuff. That is the BAR, Bureau of Automotive Repair.

Technically you are not allowed to modify any smog equipment on a motor...if there is any. Any car 30 years old....now 74 and older is exempt from the every other year smog test. No test, no verification of smog stuff.....do the math.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

BTW.....we prefer Smog "weenies", Smog Dorks or Air Cops.....the Nazi thing is insulting.....

cab83_750 · 08-02-2003, 11:43 AM

I spoke with the owner of a well known, highly regarded by this board, Porsche shop for a PPI on a modified 930 beast. He did agree to perform the compression, leakdown, etc. He knows about the '72 chassis. However, he stated that ultimately, once I get sniffed at offramps/onramps/etc., I'll be in dead waters----- hence, my confusion.

I really don't want to let go of my 993 engine, if the other highly modified 3.6 I am getting will not pass.

I have a non-op on the 72!

Mike,

My nazi thingy was meant to get you out of the hole and respond to my email. I guess it worked.

We have spoken before on the phone but did not want to intrude into your privacy. But yes, next time, I will use 'weenies'.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

No worries....btw, the smog sniffer thing is for gross polluters. Most well tuned motors will not fall in that catagory. Even race motors will show a bit of a "blip" but not trigger a letter and action....