EFI Conversion for California Cars

[930addict]

Why is it that nobody makes an EFI kit for California cars (CARB approved)? I would like to convert mine but there's just nothing out there. I find this frustrating.

Is it possible to adapt an engine management system from a newer Porsche to work on an older ('88) 930?

[emcon5]

Why is it that nobody makes an EFI kit for California cars (CARB approved)? I would like to convert mine but there's just nothing out there. I find this frustrating.

Because it wouldn't be worth the hassle. The bureaucratic hoops you would have to jump through, and the testing you would have to finance would make the selling price more than people are willing to spend.

A few years ago GHL tried to get an exhaust system approved, using 2 cat converters that were already CARB approved. Some details of the testing required here:

GHL C.A.R.B EO number

Is it possible to adapt an engine management system from a newer Porsche to work on an older ('88) 930?

Sure, as long as it is attached to the newer engine.

EDIT: and you follow the proper engine swap guidelines:
http://smogcheck.ca.gov/StdPage.asp?Body=/Geninfo/Publications/Engine_Change_Guidelines-Jan_1994.htm

Tom

[TRE Cup]

too much expense for little return. They make thousands of mustangs, camaros, corvettes- etc etc- that the large companies like edelbrock would make parts that pass carb for. they have a good potential market. There were not enough 911s built to justify the program needed for it. Logic has nothing to do with it either: We all know a cleaner running, less gas guzzling 2.7 or 3.0 could be had with today's more sophisticated efi systems- but the bureaucracy will prevent that

[Wayne 962]

One of the problems is that the tests that are performed on the cars only test for a limited amount of emissions. So, if your car "passes" with the aftermarket setup, it may not be conforming to the full extent of regulations that restrict other contaminants.

As I know it, when the systems are tested from the manufacturers, they use more sophisticated equipment than is located at your local smog shop. So, just because it passes the smog test doesn't mean it is compliant with the law...

-Wayne

[TRE Cup]

that's for sure- the test cells are pretty sophisticated. Edelbrock has a whole bank of them for their own products to test. And figure on applying for each and every model of 911 to accept an EFI "smog legal" set up? jeez!!

[EdT82SC]

Pat Williams Racing makes an EFI system for the 930 that I believe is CARB approved. It is spendy though. Here is a link:

http://www.patwilliamsracing.com/efi.htm

[TRE Cup]

if it is carb approved he has not posted that on his site- which is something i would definitely shout about!

[930addict]

I just sent Pat Williams Racing an email asking about it. We'll see what he says.

It seems to me that it would be cost effective for at least one manufacture to have their EFI product CARB approved. I wonder how MSD qualified their ignition box? Here's the executive order for the MSD 6AL:

"1991 and older model-year vehicles with up to 16-cylinder spark ignited engine, a 12 volt negative ground electrical system, an internal or external ignition coil and a spark ignition distributor. "

I'm sure they didn't have to test their system on every single make and model of car that is 1991 and older for 100k miles to get CARB approval. You would think that the same process could be followed for an EFI kit.

[TRE Cup]

i follow your logic, but that's not how it works. Whereas a msd box replicates and exceeds the oem spark, it does not have the capability by itself to increase emissions
. an adjustable efi system has all sorts of variables. Afterall it's very reason that it is adjustable would raise the question at CARB: "Who is certified to adjust this? and who will make sure it passes emission requirements under cold start, hot start, cruise, full throttle etc etc?"

[930addict]

TRE that makes perfect sense.

BTW...I just heard back from Pat Williams. His kit is NOT CARB approved. He said that "For the 911 Turbo, such a small production number of cars, we're probably not going to do it." The price is $10k installed.