California Emissions?

[SeaDweller]

Although I used to live in CA, I'm not familiar with the details of their emmissions requirements.

Is there a year in which cars are considered exempt?

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Michael
'78 911SC Euro

[pbs911]

'73 and older.

[This message has been edited by pbs911 (edited 08-17-2001).]

[Doug Zielke]

Michael,
Do you still have your car?
Are you going to keep it? (I hope so.)

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'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
The Blue Bomber's Website

[nhromyak]

I believe next year 2002, it will be moved to 75. Or is that 2005???



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Nick Hromyak
'85 Carrera 7 & 9 Fuchs
Havin' Fun in Sacramento

[SeaDweller]

Hi Doug,

Yes, I've still got the car, but there are still some extenuating circumstances working against me right now. Other financial commitments and a possible relocation back to California are part of it. I'm working on some creative options so I don't have to part with the car, but things are still on the fence at this time.

I'm curious about the CA emmissions, because of course my Euro car doen't have so much as a O2 sensor. I bought the car here in Florida where they've done away with emmissions testing, although it did pass with flying colors during its last test in '99.

The paperwork I have from the EPA indicates that the car is "exempted from the EPA emmissions requirments," yet it also states that it still has to comply with the state requirements.

Does anyone know what the CA state limits are for HC (PPM) and CO (%)? What else do they measure for?

In Florida, the HC limit was 400 (car tested at 44), and the CO was 4.0 (car tested at .45). The CO2% was 14.2.

Thanks!

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Michael
'78 911SC Euro

[Greg-slant/cab]

You might be able to get some additional smog requirement information at www.dmv.ca.gov



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Greg-slant/cab
http://www.geocities.com/gregslantcab/

[Doug Zielke]

Michael,
If you read my recent posting on the smog test my car underwent, you can see they can test pretty clean, even sans cat.

However...although the test here is touted to be as strict as CA, the visual part is pretty slack for a 20 year old car. I hear the CA visual is not so easy.

I'd make some inquiries to the CARB/DMV and see if they'll cut you some slack if you move there from Florida. Best wishes. Keep the car.

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'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
The Blue Bomber's Website

[This message has been edited by Doug Zielke (edited 08-17-2001).]

[Clark Griswald]

They don't have much of a sense of humor at CARB. Don't count on anything that looks like slack for moving from out of state.

My advice - unless you really love THAT car, sell it in Florida, then buy a replacement in CA.

I brought a car into CA from out of state that had emissions equipment removed and discarded by PO. Spent lots of money and time tracking down those bits, and putting them back in.

At least my car once had all the parts in place. You will have a togher time.

Had I known, I would have sold the car before moving here.

[stlrj]

Q: When will my post-1974 model year vehicle become exempt from Smog Check?

A: 1974 and subsequent model year vehicles will be exempt from Smog Check when they turn
30 years old. Under current law, a 1974 model year vehicle will be exempt in 2003, a 1975 in 2004, etc.

http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/stdPAge.asp?Menu=/includes/Menu_GenInfo.htm&Body=/Geninfo/OtherInfo/Frequently_Asked_Questions_Part_1.htm


Joe

[Doug Zielke]

That's sad but probably good advice, Chuck.
I hate the Smog-Nazi's!

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'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
The Blue Bomber's Website

[This message has been edited by Doug Zielke (edited 08-17-2001).]

[emcon5]

Read this post:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/Forum3/HTML/012082.html

Specificly the messages posted by kamikazepilot with excerpts of the CA law.

Depending on how long you lived in FL, and if you have the docs, you may be OK.

Tom

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82 911SC Coupe

[SeaDweller]

Interesting.....In looking at the other post, I was intrigued by Doug's smog results and the maximum required limits. Even if the CA tests were TWICE as stringent, my car would easily pass them.

Now, is the CAT the only thing they look for in this visual test? If I installed a CAT for the test, and the passed the smog test, is that sufficient for the state of CA?

I'm not clear on the exemption that was mentioned. The car was originally imported into the northeast, and then brought to Florida some 10 years ago. I've been in Florida for around 3 years now, and have owned the car for almost 1 year. I'm not sure how this would play out at this point.



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Michael
'78 911SC Euro

[Clark Griswald]

They will check for other equipment that your car was (supposed to be) equipped with; EGR valve, smog pump, etc. Not sure what you are supposed to have.

They will even test the EGR for proper operation.

[PorscheDV]

i'm curious...if i had say, a '76 911S and stuffed in a 94 3.6 will my car be exempt from testing in 2006? or, since running gear is 94...will i have to wait till 2024?!

technically? what do you guys think/know? i'm not looking for the "they wont know" answers, i know how those smog guys can get really technical...

basically...i want to drop in a newer motor, but would like to not have to smog, come the 30 year roll back, and completely build that motor!

TIA

[Clark Griswald]

My understanding is that you "technically" must meet the requirements for the newer of the motor or the chassis. So technically your plan won't cut it.

But how would they know you have that new motor in there?

There are plenty of guys on this board that have new engines in old chassis, and that is one reason why.

[Doug Zielke]

Jack Olsen...how do you get the Black Beauty through the CA smog test?

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'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
The Blue Bomber's Website

[campbellcj]

Originally posted by Doug Zielke:
Jack Olsen...how do you get the Black Beauty through the CA smog test?

Black Beauty is inspection-exempt...no testing required. Built up on a 73 car IIRC.

Cheers,
Chris C.

[Doug Zielke]

If that's the case, it's a real loophole for you guys in CA. Lucky, but a a bit hard to believe. Here, you are tested for the type and year of the motor. You are noted as a "Special Construction Vehicle", and can't get out of a thing. After all, it's the motor that is the pollution concern, not the body.


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'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
The Blue Bomber's Website

[Jack Olsen]

As I've heard it, the letter of the law is that I technically have to follow all of the smog requirements for my model year, which would include (I think) getting a special permit for the engine swap and maintaining its air quality components like it was in a 93 car. But since the earlier model years are exempt from inspection, I am effectively off the hook, in that department.

On the moral front, I assume that the emissions-compliant 3.6 I have in the car runs cleaner than the early engine did, anyway.

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Jack Olsen
My Rennlist page • My Pelican Gallery page • My Porsche Owners Gallery page

[Joe Bob]

Hey Zielke......

Not all smog nazis are buttbreaths, some of us drive Porsches and try to temper the tree huggers.

Mike Z
Smog Nazi
It's a job AND an adventure



[This message has been edited by mikez (edited 08-19-2001).]