calif. smog exempt cars

darkbeer · 01-22-2005, 12:49 PM

forgive me in advance if this is a topic already covered somewhere on this HUGE bbs or...if this is a topic nobody gives a s**t about:

I'm one of these people that LIKES the 74-89 look but HATES having some moroon at DMV tell me what I can & can't do with my engine....I'm not crazy about "updating" an older LWB car to '74 + appearance so that leaves just the "smog exempt" '74 & '75, G & H series cars. The "rolling 30 year exemption" died at the hands of the Assembly Rep. from Santa Monica, effectivly dooming the '76 & newer cars to perpetual smog checks & 0 (zero) modifications.....with this in mind, it would seem that the '74 &'75 911's would become more desirable...especially the '75's since the factory started using the galv. body panels during the H- series run....&...(oh God, not an "&"...)

these "early" late cars are only 75 - 100 or so lbs. "heavier" then the "light bodied" '72-'73's...PLUS (someone stop him please) the G-H cars are more like their "light" bretheren...hand throttle, exposed nut for wiper blades, mech. speedo, speaker grill in dash, opening wind wings on Targa's, hand crank windows, the '74's even came with normal heat exchangers...oh yes...& SOME of the '75's even came with the (bow your heads please) ORANGE BAR HOOD CREST !!!!

Even village elders in the Sudan have heard about the problems the 2.7's had but we also know they can be fixed right & become a damn decent motor!!! I realize that they got confused & put "911S" on cars with green fan shrouds but hey...it was the mid 70's, what can I say...

Oldporsche · 01-22-2005, 01:32 PM

I think that you guys can "work" the legislature around a little to get your exemption back. In the meantime, here's what a '75 can look like with the SC fenders and later wheels.

And this is what your engine compartment could look like.

Just a thought.

David Duffield

banjomike · banjomike's Garage

I'm currently looking for a '75 or a nice SC/Carrera. The '75 would be better for projects, the Carrera more civilized. Many of us here sympathize.

randywebb · 01-22-2005, 07:56 PM

Sounds like the City and County of SFO to me.

Regardless, I would drop in a nice clean varioram 3.6L and be way cleaner than what the CARB smog regs require. There is probably a smug vainty plate you could put on...

Zeke · 01-22-2005, 08:13 PM

I don't mind the premise that is being proposed here, that of the 74- 75 models of the 911 being a decent platform for a hot rod. I started out looking for just that, a '74, and ended up with a '71. I'm happy about that, but I had some ideas already cooked up for the '74.

First off, I don't care for the accordian bumpers. I looked at those in my garage for 15 years when I had the '77 Targa. I have seen some great fibreglass bumpers in many styles for the mid year body, from the IROC to the RSR and more. One of my favorite cars had C2 bumpers grafted on. That really smoothed up the front end and got rid of the duckbill platipus. That and some Turbo flares and you've got something a little more unusual beyond the typical RS Carrera clone job.

darkbeer, get to work! I want to see some mid year hot rods.

darkbeer · 01-23-2005, 03:07 AM

Thanks for the responses:
Dave...Veeery nice looking '75...I'm going to stay pretty close to stock on my 2.7...It does have Euro Carrera P & C's plus the usual upgrades/repairs...carr. tensioners, popoff, turbo rocker covers etc etc. I'm going to stay with C.I.S. for now though...I do a lot of commuting in this car...
Mike...I work on the peninsula & commute from the coast side of the 17...BTW, what is "Gruppe B" ??? do any bay area 11'ers ever get together to tire kick, swap lies or drive the bajeebers out of thier cars???
Randy...Calif DMV makes it almost impossible to make any changes to the way cars came from the factory when sold....
Zeke/Milt...I have to agree on the C2/4's, very pleasing to the eye. Not that crazy about the 993's though...kinda remind me of morphed slant noses & I didn't like those at all...I really do like the 'ol duckbill's, but hey...I like the 914's too & lots of people don't !!!

Greg:
more Porsche's then sense....

randywebb · 01-23-2005, 10:13 AM

check some other threads - others in Calif. have posted on putting in a newer engine. I think it is pretty common.

makaio · 01-23-2005, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by banjomike
I'm currently looking for a '75 or a nice SC/Carrera. The '75 would be better for projects, the Carrera more civilized. Many of us here sympathize.

Mike, if you're looking at 75's because they are smog exempt, make dang sure that DMV will recognize it as that.

As for CA getting it's rolling smog exemption back, I don't see it any time soon or possibly ever. We use to have some assymbly members that were big into the hot-rod/classic car scene, but they are long gone now. Plus the economics of requiring smog certs makes more $ sense to the law makers and Gov.

rich22 · 01-23-2005, 10:44 PM

I don't understand. If you're going to leave your engine stock, why ***** about the smog regs? There are thousands of SC's, Carreras, 964's, et al that pass smog.

Silveresrty911S · Silveresrty911S's Garage

A proper 3.0 / 3.2/ 3.6 transplant in a 76 and up is no big deal here in Cali. Just has to be done right with the CARB emmissions sticker on the door jam showing the it's all legal. I bought mine this way and it's way under on emmisions with a euro premuff and Steve Wong chip!

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

i have been hearing from a mechanic that works formy employer that in conversations he has had with a guy in the know with the state smogging deal that the rolling exemption repeal has to be re-voted on every year to remain ratified. i do not know how accurate his info is, but i am holding out a ray of hope.

cowtown · 01-24-2005, 07:38 AM

Darkbeer, I went down the same path, and ended up with a '75 to play with. But be careful: Legally, even pre-'76 cars must meet emissions levels and have the original equipment installed...they just aren't tested for it. Theoretically, you could be reported, or run into a roadside spot check.

I've had no problems, but I'd be a bit careful about running outrageous license plates or doing smokey burnouts in front of your local CARB office.

Good luck,
Colin

PorschePilot · 01-24-2005, 09:23 AM

I have enough cars that I need to get somged, so I went for a 74 Targa, which is in the final stages of a restoration. Plus I like the uniqueness of a narrow body car.

I did a high quality rebuild of the original 2.7. The machine shop work was done by German Precision, new RS pistons and cylinders, heads and cams from an "S" model, Carrera tensioners and oil pump, upgraded hardware. Added a front oil cooler.

Full paint and interior. There may be a 3.2 or 3.6 in it's future, but for now it's a great running car.