CA smog inspection and modifications

[gerard vaglio]

If you live in beautiful California, smog tests are an unfortunate fact of life for anyone with a 1976 911 or later. I purchased an sc years ago with the full expectation that it would eventually be smog exempt but lets not go there.

About a year ago my 3.0 needed to be rebuilt and since I live in the Bay Area I have access to a non-traditional option, Tom Amon of Mobile Works West. For those who are unfimilar with this new business model, Tom comes to your home with all the tools and parts on his truck and goes to work. Because he has no overhead, he actually charges a little less then the going rates for Porsche mechanics in this part of the country. You also get to watch and learn, which for me is the best part.

Twelve months ago, Tom suggested that my sc get the most performance oriented rebuild that could still pass CA smog without drama. So, my tired 3.0 would be reborn as a 3.2 short stroke with 964 cams and a modest jump in hp from maybe 180 on a good day to 235 almost every day. ( 235 is a guesstimate by the way )

The new engine also has a larger throttle body and lightened flywheel from S Car Go, also in the Bay Area, as well as SSIs, illegal in the Bay Area. The transmission also has an earlier ring and pinion to liven the car up at street driven speeds.



Well, I’ve got my new engine and I’ve been very happy. Until this week.

This week I had to pass CA smog and when I bring the car to the local independent Porsche mechanic that I trust and describe what I did he says it may not pass smog because of what I did. Uncomfortable body language was the response to the description of my new engine and a special grimace was offered when I sheepishly mentioned that I might have 964 cams.

Okay, so now I’m not so happy because maybe I own a $10,000 paper weight and maybe Tom is really the devil ...and... and...

It passed.

Not only did it pass, it passed with a wide margin. At 25mph a 3.0 is allowed a maximum 181 HCs, my new 3.2 measured 9. Your allowed 1.16 on CO, I measured .04 and on the box marked NO you can have 1224 of those little guys, I only had 360.

The mechanic was visibly impressed with the results, he kept shaking his head and using the word clean with extra eeee’s.

Of course, I never doubted the outcome.

[cab83_750]

Did you get the test without the cat reinstalled?

BTW, Congratulations. And.....beautiful engine.

[TerryH]

Congrats on passing the sniffer, but you should have failed the visual if you don't have a functioning cat. I know they have had curbside spot checks here in SoCal for emissions compliance.

Don't tell anyone but my cat is hollow and I pass too.

[cab83_750]

Terry,

Whereabouts in San Gabriel Valley are the curbside spot checks? Have you heard of what the penalty would be for SSIs?

Thanks.


The visual is almost arbritary as most mechanics do not know our cars. I know of a place in SF valley where he could not identify the SSIs from cats.

[gerard vaglio]

In order to pass the visual part of the inspection my car needs both a cat and a air pump which, as the name suggests, pumps fresh air into the mix.

Some say the air aids burning but others say it's just a factory cheat diluting the dirty air and making for a cleaner exhaust pipe.

The air pump takes a little over an hour to install and the SSIs, well, it is possible to fab up a combination muffler and small cat downstream of the SSIs to avoid unbolting the entire exhaust system.

Needless to say, once the law changed I became part of the hypocrisy that is CA smog. My car runs clean but I still have to go through ethical gymnastics to drive a 911 that feels like a real 911.

I'm curious if others go through this elaborate ritual/hoax every 2 years and how do you all feel about it.

[pitargue]

Bought a pre 75 car so I wouldn't have to deal w/ this. I feel you pain. Even unmodified cars sometimes don't pass due to incompetant techs...

[Joe Bob]

Hey....if you tell them those are dual s/s cats...the smog dork usually belives ya....

[TerryH]

Originally posted by cab83_750
Terry,

Whereabouts in San Gabriel Valley are the curbside spot checks? Have you heard of what the penalty would be for SSIs?

Thanks.

They were completely random therefore "spot checks". Similar to sobriety check points. They don't advertise location or people will avoid that street like the plague.

The good news is since California is so far in freakin debt, that program is now most likely in an indefinite holding pattern.

I also hook up my smog/air pump before testing. I want a rust free 1975 with flares and 3.6 for Christmas.

[look 171]

Originally posted by TerryH
Congrats on passing the sniffer, but you should have failed the visual if you don't have a functioning cat. I know they have had curbside spot checks here in SoCal for emissions compliance.

Don't tell anyone but my cat is hollow and I pass too.

WHAAAAAT??? Random smog check in and around LA. Holy S**t. My 930 is going to fail big time. How do they do this. Stop you as you come up the street and make you wait and hold up massive traffic and make you late to work?

Jeff

[look 171]

Originally posted by TerryH
They were completely random therefore "spot checks". Similar to sobriety check points. They don't advertise location or people will avoid that street like the plague.

The good news is since California is so far in freakin debt, that program is now most likely in an indefinite holding pattern.

I also hook up my smog/air pump before testing. I want a rust free 1975 with flares and 3.6 for Christmas.

Eye ball check or tail pipe?

[TerryH]

Originally posted by look 171
Eye ball check or tail pipe?

I don't know specifics, but I witnessed on more than one occasion the checkpoints. I believe they were conducted by BAR to determine randomly how many cars were compliant with emissions standards. This would help them determine the amount of fraud at smog stations and other measures taken to circumvent testing all together.

If that isn't enough, they are also doing remote sniffing with sensors built right into the road. Not sure how far along that program is atm nor what it's goals are.

[look 171]

Oh man, remote sniffing, those of us with modded motors are in deep S***.

Where did you see them? I am in the San Gabriel a few days a week.

Jeff

[juanbenae]

Originally posted by gerard vaglio
In order to pass the visual part of the inspection my car needs both a cat and a air pump which, as the name suggests, pumps fresh air into the mix.

Some say the air aids burning but others say it's just a factory cheat diluting the dirty air and making for a cleaner exhaust pipe.

The air pump takes a little over an hour to install and the SSIs, well, it is possible to fab up a combination muffler and small cat downstream of the SSIs to avoid unbolting the entire exhaust system.

Needless to say, once the law changed I became part of the hypocrisy that is CA smog. My car runs clean but I still have to go through ethical gymnastics to drive a 911 that feels like a real 911.

I'm curious if others go through this elaborate ritual/hoax every 2 years and how do you all feel about it.

i have gone to the ssi's and have another year until i have to do the swap out for smog. did you get this muffler/cat combo made up by someone local? would you consider renting it for a week next summer?

the air pump can be dummied in pretty quick like. i really need the cat/muffler combo deal perfected, even if i just used it every two years id pay alot for it... i have known that you can plug one injectors at smog time and make a flat 5 with an air pumping cylinder to help with the numbers. the key is in the cat/muffler combo to make it sniffable.

garard, you are local, i would like to speak with you about your approach more. pm sent

T$

[juanbenae]

garard does not accept PM's??

[Joe Bob]

PEOPLE...they have to have probable cause before they can pop your hood.

If your car is in good tune there is NO problem.....IF you get stopped.....tell them NOTHING....volunteer NOTHING......your car is STOCK....it's ALL SHOW NO GO.....don't brag about yer ride. It gives them probable cause.....

[gerard vaglio]

Hey toby,

Sent you a pm to answer all your questions, happy to share.

Gerard

[aeroman]

Do you get a ticket if you have done something that makes your car not pass?

[Wayne 962]

The mechanic was just irritated that he didn't perform the rebuild work...

-Wayne

[juanbenae]

got the email gerard, i will be in touch very shortly. at work now so i gotta geta cracka-lackin....

thanks