Two More Years! Smog Test Success Story

[5String43]

I had my car smogged today and it passed on the first attempt, which pleases me greatly, and makes me very happy indeed that I resisted the temptation to upgrade cams and stuff when I had the engine rebuilt 18 months ago.

But I have a question for the brain trust here:

It looks like it made it through the hydrocarbon (HC) part of the test by the breadth of a whisker - it measured 140 and 112 ppm at 15 and 25 mph respectively, just a single point beyond the max of 141 and 113 for those speeds, way beyond the 45 and 33 ppm at 15 and 25 mph respectively that the state testers consider average.

What are the parameters that affect this portion of the engine's emissions, and is there anything I can do to reduce the HC number?

Does this, for example, suggest that the catalytic converter is going south?

[83_Silberpfeil]

5String --

Congrats on passing!

My 83 SC is due in May. I purchased the car in AUG 2010, so didn't have to go through smogs last year. This year, it's due for a test.

I'm very nervous about it. Anything special you did to "prep" for the test? Oil change, spark plug change, adding techron to gas tank, replacing the O2 sensor, etc? I've also heard that getting the car running at a higher temp also helps --- e.g. drive it hard for 3-5 miles before the test. Did you do any of the above?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by 5String43

I had my car smogged today and it passed on the first attempt, which pleases me greatly, and makes me very happy indeed that I resisted the temptation to upgrade cams and stuff when I had the engine rebuilt 18 months ago.

But I have a question for the brain trust here:

It looks like it made it through the hydrocarbon (HC) part of the test by the breadth of a whisker - it measured 140 and 112 ppm at 15 and 25 mph respectively, just a single point beyond the max of 141 and 113 for those speeds, way beyond the 45 and 33 ppm at 15 and 25 mph respectively that the state testers consider average.

What are the parameters that affect this portion of the engine's emissions, and is there anything I can do to reduce the HC number?

Does this, for example, suggest that the catalytic converter is going south?

[5String43]

Silberpfeil, I didn't do much to prep the car. It wears a fresh engine back there, with new plugs, oil and stuff less than 5,000 miles ago. I made sure the vacuum hoses were all connected where they're supposed to be and that the timing was spot on. I filled it a couple of days ago with Chevron's best and then drove it to the point where it was to operating temp, but not really beyond that.

For what it's worth, the gent who ran the test said to me, "Oh, yeah, these usually pass if they're driven and well-maintained, and they're not modified. If they're modified, they don't pass."

[porwolf]

Just for comparison those were my resultsfor my, all stock, 50k miles,79 SC after revival from 16 year slumber with no particular preparations:[img]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads20/02+13+2012+05+22+49PM1329182802.jpg[/img]

[porwolf]

Just for comparison those were my resultsfor my, all stock, 50k miles,79 SC after revival from 16 year slumber with no particular preparations:

[DGW]

An SC passes in NorCal with 964 cams but otherwise stock. I have passed a couple of times since the rebuild. I don't have to do the dyno test but have to pass the others. I just drive it for a while to get it good and warm first. Depending on how long its been since a tuneup, I may take it by my Pcar wrench and have him check it first.

[5String43]

Porwolf, yours is very different from mine. Here's what mine looks like:



I'd be very interested indeed in hearing anyone's views about the differences seen here.

[yelcab1]

Originally Posted by 5String43

I had my car smogged today and it passed on the first attempt, which pleases me greatly, and makes me very happy indeed that I resisted the temptation to upgrade cams and stuff when I had the engine rebuilt 18 months ago.

But I have a question for the brain trust here:

It looks like it made it through the hydrocarbon (HC) part of the test by the breadth of a whisker - it measured 140 and 112 ppm at 15 and 25 mph respectively, just a single point beyond the max of 141 and 113 for those speeds, way beyond the 45 and 33 ppm at 15 and 25 mph respectively that the state testers consider average.

What are the parameters that affect this portion of the engine's emissions, and is there anything I can do to reduce the HC number?

Does this, for example, suggest that the catalytic converter is going south?

get a new cat and get the engine to run hotter.

[porwolf]

Just curious,5String, my car like I mentioned, is a stock 1979 California SC with catalytic converter, without O2 sensor, and with the smog pump still installed. What model is yours?

[Crude Rudy]

The cat affects the HC, your cat is going south, mine did last smog and I had to but a new aftermarket one from PP. I was lucky the aftermarket was still available in CA and PP had one. The CA law calls for factory, as in new Porsche from GE expensive cat, the aftermarket PP was about a kilo buck cheaper than the Porsche part and the smog nazi didn't know the difference from factory issued. Sleep easy for the next two years and congrats on passing!

[Nick Triesch]

I also put 40 psi in the rear tires. I also use techron. Mine just passed well within spec with 140,000 on the clock.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by DGW

An SC passes in NorCal with 964 cams but otherwise stock. I have passed a couple of times since the rebuild. I don't have to do the dyno test but have to pass the others. I just drive it for a while to get it good and warm first. Depending on how long its been since a tuneup, I may take it by my Pcar wrench and have him check it first.

How do you get by without the dyno (roller) test in CA?

When we smog any of our cars, they get the "roller" test.

Here's our '11 results.

[Joeaksa]

Make sure your engine is warm and do a fresh oil change before doing the test.

[hcoles]

slightly off topic and possibly inflammatory - we don't want to pass low, the best is to barely pass so CARB doesn't lower the roller cut points. If your cat is weak, consider borrowing a buddy's cat for the test.

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

How do you get by without the dyno (roller) test in CA?

When we smog any of our cars, they get the "roller" test.

Different testing standards based on where (in CA) the car is registered. From California ARB (http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResources/ftp/pdfdocs/Reference%20Guide%20Final%2012-09%20V-2.pdf):

An Enhanced Area is one which has been designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as not in attainment with federal health standards for ozone and are designated as an urbanized area. With some exceptions, vehicles registered in enhanced areas are subject to a loaded mode dynamometer emission test.

For Basic and Enhanced Areas, a Smog Check inspection is also required biennially.

Enhanced Areas: These areas do not meet federal or state air quality standards for ozone and carbon monoxide. Biennial Smog Check inspections are required in these areas. Additionally, a portion of the vehicles in Enhanced Areas must receive the biennial Smog Check at Test Only stations or special Test and Repair stations, known as Gold Shield. In order to measure NOx emissions, most enhanced area vehicles are subject to a dynamometer loaded mode emissions test.

Basic Areas: Basic areas are less polluted then Enhanced Areas; however, due to their marginal air quality, biennial inspections are required. Basic Area vehicles can receive biennial testing/certification at licensed Test and Repair or Test Only stations. Basic Area vehicles are subject to a two speed idle test. Loaded mode tests are not required in basic areas.

Change of Ownership Areas: These more rural areas of the state require Smog Check testing only when an affected vehicle changes ownership or is initially registered in California, except for gasoline vehicles 1975 model-years and older, and gasoline vehicles 4 or less model-years old.

Here's a map showing Basic, Enhanced, and COO Areas (note that this is 2008 map and CARB no longer provides info -- e.g., ZIP Code locator -- on which areas are Basic, Enhanced, or COO. Only source I can tell now is CA DMV notifies you via registration renewal process.):



Hope this helps.

Dale

[DGW]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

How do you get by without the dyno (roller) test in CA?

When we smog any of our cars, they get the "roller" test.

Here's our '11 results.

The roller test is not required in Santa Cruz county. Lucky for me, i live just across the county line in Santa Cruz and not in Santa Clara where the roller test is required.

[86 911 Targa]

Thanks flat six, & DGW.

Very informative.

Now, if we could only get the BAR folks to test by their rules!!!!

[matt gineo]

Thank God I live in RI. My 76 Targa is registered with Antique plates, no inspection whatsoever is required. I should start a business and register all those California cars here in Little Rhody!
The first thing I did was remove the Thermal Reactors.

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

Thanks flat six, & DGW.

Very informative.

Now, if we could only get the BAR folks to test by their rules!!!!

+1 on THAT

[yelcab1]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

Thanks flat six, & DGW.

Very informative.

Now, if we could only get the BAR folks to test by their rules!!!!

And whos is going to sue to challenge that?