Possible 1st 911 – need help
 

I’m looking at a really nice 911 that has had a lot of work done on it. The year is 1979 and the car has had the following mods
3.2 motor swap
fuel injection system replaced by 40mm carbs
turbo tie rods
larger torsion bars
bilstein shocks

The car has no emissions equipment and has passed the PPI. The asking price is 23500 and the seller is firm on the price. If I buy the car I’d need to put back on the emissions equipment, should I buy this car?

From what I have read about the CA emissions testing and inspection on this board, you wouldn't pass the visual inspection for a '79 without the CIS and an air pump staring at you when you open the hood.
Others with more local experience may want to provide more input.

What about Oregon? I have a second place in Portland,OR.

for that kind of money you can probably find a nice 84 - 86 and have the same engine

Multnomah county has strict DEQ requirements. It probably wouldn't pass in Portland.

+1

Find a Carrera for that price and then you don't have to worry about someone else's motor swap!

You won't pass DEQ with carbs in Multnomah county. For that price you can get a different nice 911 that you don't have to mess with.

Why don't you drive the car to a smog station and get a "preliminary" test to see how far off it is. Then you can entertain the idea of retrofitting all the legal smog equipment.

I brought my car with me on the move last year. I'm in the process of replacing my beautiful SSIs and dual in/out exhaust because of DEQ. I ran it through and it failed due to no CAT on the car. Shame…CO2 numbers were fine otherwise. Meh…what's another three grand? :roll eyes:

FYI they did also inspect the top of the motor to be sure it was stock.

I'm with others…sounds like a neat car, but for that money you can probably get what you're looking for without emission concerns.

Smog is solely the seller's responsibility in CA. If you are set on the car, have him smog it before he sells it to you. Then you will be fine at least until you have to smog the car again in the future, at which point you are back to square one, lol. You will not get that engine to pass smog without spending a fortune on factory smog equipment/fuel injection or doing something illegal.

I think you should look around for a different car. He won't be able to sell his car at that price anytime soon here in CA. Although it is slim pickings here in CA with the 911 bubble, there should be a lot of nice SC's at that price range, and a probably a few not as nice Carreras.

To elaborate on what Eric said:

Outside of Multnomah county (greater Portland area) and the Medford area, there is no DEQ certification required in Oregon. If you have a second residence elsewhere in Oregon and can show a piece of mail with that address when renewing your tags, you will not be required to DEQ your cars. They will change your address on all mailings and your license to the second address however. Ask me how I know...

100% accurate.

To get this car smogged in CA you will, by the law, need to have ALL the original smog equipment that came on the newer MOTOR. Everything from the air cleaner to the exhaust.

I would pass on this car. You may be able to use a CIS system, as long as the tech thinks it is the orignal motor, and you could get it to run correctly. Not worth it I think.