Yet another reason why the Carrera is better than the SC
 

...so says my wife.

We took her '87 Carrera coupe in for CA smog check at a test only station. She hasn't driven the car in probably six months. The battery had died and since I've charged it a couple of times before, it wouldn't take another charge. I was worried tha tires would flat spot, that's how long it had sat in the garage. Anyway, the car smoked at start up so we drove it around town for a half hour then we head in to the smog ck place.

No drama, just a few minutes on the machine and it passes CA smog without issue. I wish the smog checks for my '79 SC was as easy. I usually have to take it to my wrench for a pretest adjustment and the take it back after the real smog test for a readjustment.

While I agree with my wife that the Carrera has been more trouble free, she agrees with me that the SC is more the go-kart.

If you have a SC and don't have any drama come smog inspection time, I'd like to know your secret. My mechanic may be retiring soon.

That's my secret and to me its not drama, its only done once a year. It's well worth it. Hey the newest SC is pushing 24 years, my car is 27 years old and so far only some issues, but I know my car is not new. That's why this board is here..

The secret is here in Colordao I never have to pass an emission test agin, and I only register it every 5 years. I Put a working air pump on had the mechanic adjust the lean and it passed no prob. They did tell me to replace my gas cap with a non vented.

Whoa :eek: 5 Years?

So you have a tag that reads 2012? Please explain

When I had to get my SC smogged when I bought it(I thought the seller had to do this) it failed. I needed a new cat, Passed with flying colors. Just had to Check my SC again one year later. Failed again. Got another a new cat, passed again. My lambda is shot so it blows out my cat in a year.

Wholy Smoking Cat!

Every year? Won't that get a bit pricey for a smog pass?

In colorado, cars older than 25 years can qualify for a "collector vehicle" tag, which you only have to renew every 5 years. Mine reads 2012. I think I barrrrreeeely sneaked in with my '83.

With this "collector" status, you only have to smog once, the first time. Then you're done. Pretty awesome.

That is so cool, need to talk to my state rep to get that too

SC smog testing
 

Here in flyover land we had smog testing for few years in the late 90's then it was discontinued due to low population density helped by the fact that cars have a limited lifespan due to salt induced rust. I can run headers, no cat and full rich if I want. No worries. :cool:

Mine only failed once a few years ago, never had a problem before. Since then I just take it to my mechanic and he takes it to be smogged. No problems since.

Regarding collector plates in CA. I believe it limits what the car can be used for and does not exempt the smog check.

...as can I here in sunny southern california; note the year of my car listed below. Here in California, smog testing is mandatory for '75 and newer, so i slide under the tag safe!
:D

Really? Does that mean I have to smog until my baby dies or gets sold :eek:. You so lucky

My 80SC has passed twice with flying colors, when i bought it and this last year at reg. time. I do the normal oil changes and valve adjustments. If someone needs to borrow a cat for the test i run with a cat-bypass until it is test time the swap them around. So the cat sits in the garage until needed.

It's 76 and newer that have to be smogged, 75 is safe.

Smog test, what's that? Here in NS, Canada we are not that advanced. No smog test ever, just have to have a cat for 1991 and later cars! Gota love it.

My SC failed the 2nd year of ownership - bad O2 sensor. It has passed with no issues since - it's been 4 years. Now it is exempt.

Motronic cars are very good on smog tests, that's for sure. They run very clean and have more of an "integrated" smog system. The CIS system on 911s, esp. on the '79 and earlier, have pretty much a "cobbled together" smog system, with more components to go wrong.

My SC will pass with some tweaking by John Walker without the cat. It has SSI's.

The 83 with the 3.2, also SSI's, no cat, passes without messing with it as long as the stock chip is in it. The 82 is now exempt in Washington, the 83 will be soon.