Can this car be made CA legal?

WANNA930 · 09-24-2014, 05:23 PM

Ok I am looking for a Porsche that has to be CA legal. I was open to a 928 but that hasn't panned out.

Anyway, Is this car with an exhaust swap CA legal? I have lived here 2 years and have for some reason avoided smog so I haven't a clue and answers seam to be all over the place.

'78 SC Hot Rod/Outlaw

I am sure it will sell now that I posted it here but it just checks all the boxes for me except for the 5k race miles. I want a brown car that is a bit ratty and has a lot of upgrades. This way I can do a backdate or stock type redo when I am done playing. I hate show cars.

What do you think??? Can it be done for a reasonable cost?

stlrj · 09-24-2014, 05:40 PM

Good luck.

kjchristopher · kjchristopher's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by WANNA930

Ok I am looking for a Porsche that has to be CA legal. I was open to a 928 but that hasn't panned out.

Anyway, Is this car with an exhaust swap CA legal? I have lived here 2 years and have for some reason avoided smog so I haven't a clue and answers seam to be all over the place.

'78 SC Hot Rod/Outlaw

I am sure it will sell now that I posted it here but it just checks all the boxes for me except for the 5k race miles. I want a brown car that is a bit ratty and has a lot of upgrades. This way I can do a backdate or stock type redo when I am done playing. I hate show cars.

What do you think??? Can it be done for a reasonable cost?

Exhaust won't pass visual. I suspect the rest of the emissions equipment on that model motor isn't there either.

banda · banda's Garage

You will have to install a catalytic converter to make it legal. I have heard of guys in CA using SSI's on 3.2's but having a custom removable Cat Converter just to pass the smog test. They are built into the muffler section behind the rear valance instead of on the side of the motor. Also the Bosch Motronic runs very clean and can be leaned out to pass smog in CA without the cat. The problem is the visual inspection.

gumba · 09-24-2014, 08:27 PM

Needs to have all the smog equipment on and working for the year of the motor.

Arne2 · Arne2's Garage

Speaking as an Oregonian who has scored more than one great deal on cars from Northern California because they won't pass smog, I'd say that is a no way as it is now. Would probably need the full 3.2 exhaust with cat, and since it is an engine swap from out of state, probably would have to go to a referee first.

SD Swede · 11:32 PM

I can definitely assist you. It is perfectly doable and much easier for anyone willing to listen to advice. I know...because I just completed this exact/entire process with (mechanically) an almost identical car I brought into So Cal from out of state. I have a '78, backdated to a '73 RS, with a ROW '84 3.2L with ssi's, and a 915 5spd. Basically, above poster is correct with regards to it needing all stock '84 (year of the motor) emissions & exhaust equip installed. I had an entirely custom exhaust built by an old school hot rod muffler shop that includes a CA approved cat built in. Referee signed off on it & it passed emissions with flying colors. If you live in a part of CA which requires you to be on the 2 year smog cycle, (not all of CA), then the car would just need standard testing after the initial ref approval.
If you want some more time/money saving advice send me a message with your email. It's actually a fairly simple process. I was uneducated on it when I started and I wasted both time and money.

I forgot to mention that I have removed, and stored away for down the road, the smog equip items I had to add. The largest expense was my exhaust system, about $900. If you are close enough I'd be willing to help you out, including bolting my exhaust system up to your car for just the test process if you want/need. I'm planning an M&K install instead, keeping this system around just for the 2 year testing.

Hellafunctional · 09-25-2014, 12:47 AM

You could always find a guy who knows a guy. Please do not pm me..I am not that guy.

WANNA930 · 09-25-2014, 03:14 PM

SD SWEDE I appreciate the offer and will be in touch if I decide to buy it.

Bolting on a stock exhaust wouldn't be a big deterrent. There are a lot of deals outside of CA as it has been raped clean.

Maybe not this one but I want to be more educated next time one pops up. I never knew a early 80's 911 had that much emissions equip on them.