California emission regs?

[Andy Antipas]

If one moves to California from another state, are the road cars I would bring with me subject to california's emission regulations? Is there an age cut-off? Thank you!

[ossiblue]

Yes, they are required to pass emissions tests. The cut-off is for 1975 model year cars and earlier, which are exempt.

[Noah930]

California also uniquely has a visual test to the smog check. The technician looks into the engine bay to make sure all original equipment is there. The degree to which this portion of the test is done depends upon the tech.

[Andy Antipas]

Thank you. Not good news. My 79SC has a backdated exhaust and no air pump. I don't have the air pump plumbing. I do have the original exhaust. Do the techs have reference material so they know what should be in place?

I know this is a porsche list, but how about my 2003 chevy duramax diesel pick-up? I think the California diesel trucks had cats and the 49 state versions didn't?

[signature65]

When they type in the year, make, model into the computer it shows the tech all that should be there. You would need to put the smog pump back on and the stock exhaust to pass the visual. They wont even put the car on the rollers if it fails the visual inspection.

[Noah930]

How closely the tech does the visual inspection depends on the tech. My smog stuff is all there, but was not connected when I first moved my car to CA. I simply forgot to hook it up, as one of the POs had disconnected it. I didn't notice that until I was looking into the engine bay as the tech was inspecting it. He never noticed it, or didn't mention it if he did. My car passed the emissions portion without a problem.

There are stories of techs giving a wink and telling a customer: hey, if you ever get in trouble, all that stuff was there (or none of it was there, depending on the situation) when I did the test, alright. YMMV.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by Andy Antipas

Thank you. Not good news. My 79SC has a backdated exhaust and no air pump. I don't have the air pump plumbing. I do have the original exhaust. Do the techs have reference material so they know what should be in place?

I know this is a porsche list, but how about my 2003 chevy duramax diesel pick-up? I think the California diesel trucks had cats and the 49 state versions didn't?

As others have said, California's visual inspection is, at best, erratic because it depends on the "quality" of the tech. In short, if you don't have all the equipment on the car, you're taking a gamble. Some item will be obvious to any inspector, and the smog pump is one, as is the cat (though some tech mistake the pre-muffler for a cat.) I would tell you to assume you will fail the visual with your SC as it sits. If you don't want to replace all original smog parts, at least find a smog pump and necessary plumbing to give yourself a fighting chance.

As far as your diesel goes, all diesels built after 1998 (up to 14000#GVW) need a smog inspection. If your truck has the original engine/exhaust components from the factory and it has been legally registered in another state, it should be fine even if does not have California specific parts. Best to contact the SoCal AAA rather than the DMV and ask about this as I have no personal experience with the new diesel laws.

[Noah930]

AAA cannot do the smog check on your car, but can do everything else the DMV would have done to get the car registered. Don't assume the AAA clerk will be any more knowledgeable about cars than the average DMV clerk, but the opportunity to physically avoid entering the DMV is well worth it. In SoCal (NorCal is a different AAA group) AAA even has a collector car insurance policy that (IMHO) is ridiculously inexpensive.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by Noah930

AAA cannot do the smog check on your car, but can do everything else the DMV would have done to get the car registered. Don't assume the AAA clerk will be any more knowledgeable about cars than the average DMV clerk, but the opportunity to physically avoid entering the DMV is well worth it. In SoCal (NorCal is a different AAA group) AAA even has a collector car insurance policy that (IMHO) is ridiculously inexpensive.

Well said, Noah930. It's always nice to help a fellow Pelican avoid an unnecessary bureaucratic nightmare.

[UrQuattro]

To my knowledge, since your car doesn't have an emmissions sticker that says it is a ca car, you pretty much are held to a different standard. I can't remember exactly how it worked, it's been a long time since I owned an out of state car.

Michael

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by ossiblue

Well said, Noah930. It's always nice to help a fellow Pelican avoid an unnecessary bureaucratic nightmare.

Heck, I couldn't even find parking the last time I tried to go there. I, and a dozen other cars, were circling the lot like vultures. So I bailed and went next door to the AAA, which had about 5 customers.

[McLovin]

'79 might give some interesting issues, I think in 79, the 911 was still sold in 2 versions, "California" legal and "49 state legal."

I think for the 1980 model year, they went to one "50 state legal" 911SC.

If your car isn't a California approved version (they'll look for the sticker), I'm not sure what they will do.

[Andy Antipas]

Thank you to everyone for their responses!

Sounds like a couple of phone calls might be worthwhile?

[Joe Bob]

Btter to sell and get a CA compliant one...

[UrQuattro]

Mike - joke?

I'd actually rather havean out of state car.

MSW

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by UrQuattro

Mike - joke?

I'd actually rather havean out of state car.

MSW

Nope....sometimes it's cheaper and less of a hassle. The CA smog nazis don't screw around.

[UrQuattro]

When I brought Maryland car in to ca, all I ha to do was register it and smog it.

There is nothing special that you need to do when first registering an out of state car.
Michael

[Joe Bob]

NOT if you have modified the intake or exhaust with no CARB certified parts. Fail the visual, you don't even get to the sniffer test......

[UrQuattro]

Here's a link from the DMV supporting what I've said

Before Buying a Vehicle From Out of State—Be Sure You Can Register It in California (FFVR 29)

here's another

California DMV HTVR9 - How To Register A Out-of-State Vehicle (Nonresident Vehicle)

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by UrQuattro

Here's a link from the DMV supporting what I've said

Before Buying a Vehicle From Out of State—Be Sure You Can Register It in California (FFVR 29)

OK...you're right, I'm wrong....it's what I used to do for a living BTW....