California SMOG questions

[HkPlinker]

I am selling a 1976 Porsche 911S. It was manufactured 04/76, based on the door jam VIN tag. I have two people interested in the car that live in California. What is the deal about the smog emmission testing ??

The car was a "California car" as printed on the Letter of Cert, but has a completely newly built motor (1967 sand cast 2.0L bored to 2.7 RS specs. with 9:8:1 compression. The exhaust consists of SSI's, headers and a GHL exhaust.

Where to go or what to do to check if it can be owned in Cali?

[303462]

1975 and older cars are smog exempt. 1976 and newer require inspection (bi annual). I have a cis car with ssi type heat exchangers. I was able to pass smog with a cat added after the ssi's. My car has 964 cams. By RS specs do you mean the engine has "S" cams? Don't think those would work to well with cis, , and certainly can work against you on a smog test.

[HkPlinker]

Thank you. The cams are the SC type ground.

[racer]

Caveat emptor?

[JP911]

Must have the smog equipment that originally came on the engine in order to pass the visual test. Then, the car is tested on a rolling road (dyno) to test the actual emissions. A 76 would have thermal reactors, a smog pump with all of the associated plumbing, and an exhaust gas recirculation system. The reactors are pretty easy to sneak by on as most techs don't know what they look like, but the smog pump and EGR system will be noticed.

BTW, what makes the motor RS spec? An RS motor is a 2.7, 8.5:1 compression, mechanical fuel injection and a high overlap cam. Nothing wrong with what you've got there, but just curious.

[yelcab1]

I would not touch that if I were in California. You would first fail visual inspection, then fail emission test, then you may have to see a referee and the chances him / her approving a retrofit older pre-76 engine in a newer 76 car is almost zero. Then, you cannot register the car at all in California.

[77carrerabt]

Sorry, the car will have to be smogged to 76 911 specs. it does not go by the engine. it is done by the vin and chassis number.
I have lived here all my life. That is why I bought a 74 911 (well two of them now).

[Flieger]

You could put that engine into any 1975 or older car and not worry about anything, other than why this "RS spec" motor is so gutless. The car needs to be smogged for 1976 rules, though.

[Schmierung]

I have a set of much admired (by Al Gore) reactors that are available for any donation. You may pass inspection and then keep these as a memorial to global warming movement..

[HkPlinker]

Thank you all. I guess this is not for Cali.

As far as "what makes this a RS spec motor?" It has MFI, 2.7L motor, SC overlap cams, and bumped to 9:8:1 compression. Currently producing 225 HP and 212 HQ

[javadog]

Originally Posted by HkPlinker

It has MFI, 2.7L motor, SC overlap cams,

In the interest of accuracy, when you tell prospective purchasers what you have, I wouldn't say it has MFI. It appears to have a CIS fuel system installed. While that is a type of mechanical fuel injection, as opposed to electronic fuel injection, it is not the same thing as MFI, as the Porsche world knows it. That's a completely different system. I'd also not say "overlap" in association with the SC cams, as it has no meaning really.

What you have is a higher compression 2.7 liter motor, with SC cams, that has been built on an early case. That's good enough, on it's own. It has really nothing in common with an RS engine, so I wouldn't describe it that way.

Cheers,
Jeff

[HkPlinker]

Thank you, Jeff. I only went with what Stephen Kaspar wrote down with the engine build. I will correct the ad and my descritpion. I grew up in Tulsa and my family lives there, great town.

I would be happy to send you the engine specs, if you care to see them.

[5String43]

In my humble opinion, any buyer in California looking for a car out of state is looking for trouble for exactly the reasons outlined above.

State law says that the seller is responsible for getting the car through smog certification. So when the buyer shows up for an inspection, the first thing he should ask for is the smog certificate. I certainly did, and would again.

Otherwise, you run the risk of buying something that you absolutely cannot license and drive.

[Bristol]

Originally Posted by yelcab1

I would not touch that if I were in California. You would first fail visual inspection, then fail emission test, then you may have to see a referee and the chances him / her approving a retrofit older pre-76 engine in a newer 76 car is almost zero. Then, you cannot register the car at all in California.

Yelcab1 hit the nail on the head. I've read the California code on this pretty carefully. The biggest issue with this car is the pre-76 engine. It does not matter if it can pass smog or not, if it ends up going to a referee then it is a guaranteed no-go. A referee will follow the letter of the law on this, which is very clear. A '76 can have a '76 or newer engine and the engine will need all of the smog equipment on it that came with it originally, but it cannot have an older engine.

Kirk - former resident of the Communist State of California

[jayTiger]

Hello,

I have a 1987 California 911 (C03) car in Massachusetts, is there extra smog crap on this vehicle that I might not need...

Thanks,

Any info welcome

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by jayTiger

Hello,

I have a 1987 California 911 (C03) car in Massachusetts, is there extra smog crap on this vehicle that I might not need...

Thanks,

Any info welcome

The CAT.

[stlrj]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

The CAT.

Which does not harm performance anyway but does help us breath easier.

[Ricardo morales]

Making my 75 car even juicer

[86 911 Targa]

How about this Californians?

Someone posted this a while ago.

Any comments?

[Tidybuoy]

One reason I love my '74 - smog exempt.

Great looking at the photos of your engine, I was able to get a better idea of vacuum lines for when I start hunting for leaks on my car. I'd love to see the engine from the rear (complete as you have the front view).