NoVa Pelicans few questions?

[GB83SC]

The relocation to NoVa is on. We visited the area last week and have decided on either Herndon or Ashburn (job in Herndon). I could not belive how hot the housing market is! but it Looks like a great place to live especially if you have a Porsche
I have a few questions regarding my 1983 911SC, and getting the car registered. My car is stock ,and I can put back the cat for the vehicle inspection and emissions test but the car has no smog pump.
Do you need a smog pump like California?
The list for the inspection is a mile long, for the $15.00 they charge, how much do they realy check?
Thanks for the help!

[Jim Richards]

George, you'll have to pass emissions every other year, and the safety inspection every year. I don't remember the costs for sure, but I think they charge $15 for safety and another $25 for emissions. The safety checkouts are fairly thorough, but still a subset of a typical PCA tech inspection. I'm not sure if the shops actually do a visual to see what smog equipment should be there. A lot of these shops are like your corner gas station, not seeing too many 911s.

When you get here, you'll enjoy the 911 scene. Great folks, lots of help, scenic rides, etc. Either Ashburn or Herndon are fine places to live. You may even check out the north part of Sterling (often called Potomac Falls or Cascades). Reston and Great Falls are very nice, albeit more expensive. Take your time picking the right area, and hopefully you'll find a great place with a decent commute.

NoVA/DC/MD website: http://www.dorkiphus.com/
PCA Potomac wbsite: http://www.pcapotomac.org/pca/index.shtml

[Rick Lee]

I've never seen anyplace do a visual to check for the cat, though your car may not pass the sniff test without one. For safety, I think it's a joke here. They're supposed to pull a front and a rear wheel to check pads and rotors. On most Porsches, you can check without pulling a wheel. On my BMW, I just told the guy that I had just DIY'ed a full brake job and so he believed me and skipped it. All they check are tire profile, brake pads, horn, wipers and all lights and condition of front lenses.

For emissions, we now have the dyno rollers. So unless you buy a "C4" emblem, stick it on your decklid and can convince them that your "4-wheel drive" is always on, you'll have to do this test. A C4 can be exempted. If you haven't done this test before, you should get in good, hard 30 min. of driving before the test - get your cat super hot - and I'd leave it running too while you wait in line at the station. Have fun at DMV. Bring Wayne's engine book and read it twice while waiting to be called.

[Jim Richards]

Oh yeah, DMV...that experience has really gone to hell over the past year or so. Plan on 4+ hours. The Gov closed down more than half the DMV sites to improve the State's budget situation. Like RL said, bring plenty of interesting reading material.

George,
First of all, welcome! My previous car was an '83 sc with a hollowed out cat. I had no problems passing emissions. All you need is a 3mm allen wrench to dial down your mixture. Jim was correct on the Safty inspect costing $15 (just did my '85 yesterday). However the emissions now cost $35. For safety inspection just make sure all your lights work and there is tread on your tires. the rest you can BS your way though. Good luck with the move.

[dc914guy]

Welcome to the area!

Everything has pretty much been said with regards to emissions / safety inspections.. There are two DMV locations in the area, the Tysons Corner and Sterling. I have found that the wait at the Tysons Corner is much longer than Sterling. http://dmv.state.va.us/ The DMV website has all of the locations and information you need.

See you at some of the NOVA events!

~Eric

[Jim Richards]

Eric, both Tysons and Sterling DMV offices have been closed. Ask me how I know. I think there's an office still open in Fairfax and one out in Leesburg.

Except for the grueling task of getting your license and plates at the DMV office, you can do most everything else (e.g. renewals) using the on-line DMV website.

George, if you're SC needs premium gas, we have up to 94 octane (Sunoco) here. We also have lots of independant p-car shops and if you ask, you'll get tons of (sometimes conflicting) advice about who's good and who's not. Also, our DiY network is pretty strong so your SC will be in good hands.

[dc914guy]

The text below was copied directly from the DMV website, just now... It is nice to know that when they close offices, they UPDATE their website, I was about to head to the sterling one to switch the 914 from antique to regular tags!! Man I would have been pissed!

Thanks for the info!
~Eric


Office Locations: Closest Office to your location:

Sterling
100 Free Court
Sterling, VA 20164

Tysons Corner
1968 Gallows Road
Vienna, VA 22182

Back to Office Locations

[Rick Lee]

I know the one on Franconia Rd. is open, as I registered my 993 there recently. My advice is to either take a day off from work to do inspection and then DMV, or do inspection wheever you can and get to DMV about 45 min. before they open on a Sat. morning. And be careful where you park. They love to tow at DMV lots. Better yet, delay the pain as long as you can and drive with your home state plates until they expire.

[VincentVega]

Good idea Richard. I lived in Fairfax Co for maybe 6 months with MD plates with no issue. My first night in Sterling I got a ticket for out of state tags. Crazy stuff.

Good luck!

[dc914guy]

Originally posted by Jim Richards
Also, our DiY network is pretty strong so your SC will be in good hands.

What better way to make sure you will pass inspection then to drop the engine??

[Jim Richards]

ENGINE DROP!!!! Come on guys, we've found a live one!

[jbryant]

You guys are crazy to wait at the DMV. Drive to Clarke County. Between Berryville and Route 50 on RT 340 there is a Full service DMV satalite office at Trips Auto sales. There is Never anyone there. No wait at all! So...why not spend the time driving the two hour round trip instead of sitting at the DMV. Also the Warrenton DMV is quick (10min-15min).

[Jim Richards]

There's twisty roads out there, too, right?

[Rick Lee]

Here's a better idea. Let's set up a DIY workshop in the DMV parking lot to make the wait go by faster. I figure we could all meet up and knock out a few projects while someone hangs out in the waiting room waiting for our numbers to come up.

[Jim Richards]

Let's set up a DIY workshop in the DMV parking lot

OK Richard, what's broken on your car now?

[dc914guy]

LOL.. Jim beat me to it

[marcesq]

JB is absolutly right. It took me 45 mins to get to Berryville, 10 mins in the DMV used car trailer, and 45 min back. All done in the 911 Of Course.

You can do the math . . . much better than the other places . . . . and get this I did it on a SATURDAY.

[Rick Lee]

Hey guys, all I need is to install new pads and rotors in my 993 before the August DE. Other than that, I am available to help others. I think George W. needs front calipers rebuilt this weekend.

[Jim Richards]

Hey guys, all I need is to install new pads and rotors in my 993 before the August DE.

I knew it! It had to be something...Hehehehehehehehehehehehehe!