Help with smog check, taking SSI's off for stock exhaust
 

I have the SSI exhaust on my 85 3.2 car and love it but the smog nazi's here will not pass it, even if the exhaust is pure as the driven snow.

Its time to get the car smog checked again but this time in Arizona. The car passed the sniffer test fine in Texas a few months ago but they do not care it the car has a cat if its clean. AZ will do this and if they find its been taken off, they put a note on the VIN file on the state computer not to pass the car without a brand NEW cat on the car. Am not going to buy a new cat so that limits me a lot…

Needless to say, I am going to put the orginal exhaust back on the car, do the test and then re-install the SSI system for the next two fun filled years. My question is: with the backdated oil lines, will they conflict with the stock exhaust? I am not driving it long, just 6 miles to the inspection station, then back home.

Anyone in CA or AZ ever done this and know if it will work? Really do not want to take the old style oil lines off as the chances of them leaking when re-installed are pretty high. As well, my old lines were bad and thrown away so I would have to buy them new just for the inspection…

Thx,

Joe

Joe:

If you have the SSIs that have the 2 inlets that are bolted to the muffler, the oil line will interfer with the cross over pipe from the right heat exchanger to the left.

I might be mistaken, but my memory of Richard's 3.2 was that the his oil line went under and around the heat exchangers, while the pre '74 oil line hugs the engine tranny joint and then loops into the block.

Regards.

Marc,

That was the oil line I was worried about but was hoping that someone had done it without switching the lines back.

If anyone has done this really hope to have some wisdom on if the line really has to be changed or not.

Thx,

Joe

Joe,
I live in Connecticut and pased the biennial smog test this Spring. There was no way the SSI oil lines would fit with the original exhaust and cat so I switched back the original lines for the test.
Interestingly, the NOX was high but ok and the gurus at emissions said it was driven by high combustion temperatures, not cat performance. Carbon buildup a likely cause, he said
Ned Monaghan

the crossover pipe goes where the backdated oil line runs, so no go. shops usually have a pile of those, i know i do, so ask around.

John,

Want to sell me one of the old hoses? Will be glad to pay for it plus shipping!

Was worried that I would have to change one out. Will I have to change both of them or just one hose?

Thx,

Joe

just castrated my SC back to the smog setup...

I will post more on that in an another thread...

but you cannot mix old lines and new HE's

but you may try to find someone on this board in your area....

I have heard of alot of guys who have passed of the heat box sheet metal as dual cats...and if you have a bung with the O2 sensor...you are set....

most shops don't know what the underside of a 911 looks like...and not many cars have sheet metal around headers...

try that???

MJ

just e/mail me your address. the fender oil line that attaches to it, from the thermostat, is different too, don't forget.

MJ,

I agree with you and was going to do exactly what you recommend until talking with several Porsche owners here.

In TX if you try the test and do not pass, then they just tell you to fix it and come back. In AZ if you do not pass, then they will look at the equipment and if the cat is not there, or modified, then they will put a note in your VIN file on the state computer.

You are then offically screwed! You are not then allowed to put the old stock factory cat on the car but are forced to purchase a new one and show the receipt before even being allowed to take the test again.

I know of two people who have passed the inspection and visually checked. The inspectors saw the heat exchangers and thought it was a cat on both sides and moved on... but I do not want to take this chance and end up having to buy a new cat.

Guess the old switcherooo is in order only for the smog inspection...

Thx,

Joe

Joe,

IF, and that is a big IF, the inspectors fail you, I am sure that many shops would "sell" you a new cat. You know, buy, keep the receipt and return the cat trick. Just take your car to Jiffy Lube or someplace where they don't have a lot of time to do inspections as they were really intended.

Neil
'73 911S targa

This was my reason for buying for a dealer. I call up the dealer and say "Yey, remember me I bought the 78SC. It's time for my smog check. Where did you get the car smogged when I bought it? The motor hasn't been changed so it is in the same condition as when I bought it from you." They give me the name of a smog station to take it to. I pay my $25+ bucks and leave with a smog certificate. Everything is on the up and up b/c a car dealer is held to the highest moral standard of selling smog compliant cars, right?

Neil,

In AZ the inspections are run by the state. Jiffy Lube is not a factor here. They also have large signs right outside the bay saying "bribery is a crime and if you offer money to an inspector, you will go to jail!" Takes all the fun out of it! (just joking!)

PBS,

Bought the car in Texas, moved to Arizona... so any dealer help is out the window. Gonna have to switch the exhaust... oh joy! Agree with your idea though...

Joe

Psst. Hey buddy. ;) I have heard rumours of cars being registered to vacation properties or corperations with offices car friendly places. Nevada makes a good getaway place and most chunks of Nevada dirt are real cheap. Just find a something outside Clark co. Great business opportunities. Really :rolleyes:

5Axis,

I KNOW!!! I have been torn between registering it in another town (only Phoenix and Tucson have smog testing) or doing this swap. Problem is that they look for people doing this and its frowned upon... and I already have two cars registered in Phoenix and they might ask whats going on here.

I have friends who register their cars in New Mexico or Nevada and avoid this hassle but was trying to work within the system... Still, if the cost and hassle exceeds the "crap quotient" then I am going to look at "plan B" again!

Thx,

Joe

Joe,

Oops, forgot that some states run their own inspection centers, Florida comes to mind. In Texas you can go anywhere. Fortunately the emissions cut off is either everything from 1973 and older or 25 years and older. Not quite sure.

Good luck.

Read the laws on out state registrations. I am sure the AZ State weenies have a website. If you passed in Texas, you should be able to pass in AZ......

Then take it to a local wrench and put it on the exhaust tester. Make sure it is adjusted to within the emisions specs. Then go to the state tester.....the SSIs are dual cats. It passes the sniffer and off ya go.

I doubt very seriously that AZ will tag an out of stater with gross polluter status on initial smog check.

So am I hearing this correctly...

My AZ p-car has a 'failure' with its factory original cat. I go a junk yard and buy with my imaginary cash a used but fully functional cat that just so happens to look exactly like my previously broken one. I bolt that cat in place and proceed directly to my local AZ smog station. They then recognize that the cat was recently installed and fail me for not buying a NEW cat?

If its a matter of reciepts that can be easilty taken care of. If not then please detail to me again the advantages of living in AZ?

Dmool,

If you are caught with a car that had a cat and its been removed, then you are forced to purchase a NEW cat, no way for used or other parts to get it through the test.

If you had a cat on the car, and it then does not pass then you are allowed to do as necessary to pass the test. Its only if you have a car that was made with a cat and then removed that you are forced into new parts.

The advantages of living in AZ are the sun, weather, desert and so on... only the smog nazi's ruin it from time to time.

MikeZ,

Agree with you on this and I do know people who have done this, but if they caught me I am screwed. Would rather have something where I have better odds! I can register the car elsewhere in AZ or another state but thats not going to be a joyride either with three cars and a bike. They would ask why one is registered out of state and the others here and so on...

Its all a bunch of cr*p anyway because the car passes emissions as it is, just not the visual test. Course CA has the same situation...

Joe

Joe,

Oh, I misunderstood. If you go into the test without the cat (and your car had one from the factory) then you need to buy a NEW one. That's very different indeed. I thought you were saying that if there was any tampering evidence (new bolts, gaskets, clean joints) on the installed cat then you were toast regardless of the test outcome.

No offense to AZ, I enjoy the view each time I fly in/out of Sky Harbour with America West. Hope to get a long weekend there with wife at one of those resorts.

David

David,

No offense taken! We get lots of jabs all the time but not so many now that we won the World Series!

I do not understand why the insist on new parts if your car is found in "non-compliance" but they do and since they make the license plates, guess we all have to work within the system.

Next time in Phoenix, give a ring and maybe the pelicanheads will be meeting and you can come!

Joe