California Smog bill AB 550

[Nick Triesch]

Does anyone know what is up with this Bill? Hard to find info. I heard some of the bill was amended. Anyway, I think it would help some of us in California with old P cars that have a hard time passing the smog check.

[86 911 Targa]

AB 550 Assembly Bill - AMENDED
^^^^^
Here you go.

[porwolf]

Present status of AB 550:

AB 550 - California 2015-2016 Regular Session - Open States

[MyFlat6]

So frustrating dealing with CA smog laws. I installed SSI's and a dansk sport muffler when I moved to CT from CA. Well now I am back in CA and can't possibly imagine changing my entire exhaust every year to pass smog. This may be a reason I sell my SC (maybe to someone not in CA). I have a 993 too so I wouldn't be Porsche-less but I love my SC and it would be a difficult decision. I could remove the SSI's and Dansk and sell them but I really enjoy this set up. This state is such a PITA!

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by MyFlat6

So frustrating dealing with CA smog laws. I installed SSI's and a dansk sport muffler when I moved to CT from CA. Well now I am back in CA and can't possibly imagine changing my entire exhaust every year to pass smog. This may be a reason I sell my SC (maybe to someone not in CA). I have a 993 too so I wouldn't be Porsche-less but I love my SC and it would be a difficult decision. I could remove the SSI's and Dansk and sell them but I really enjoy this set up. This state is such a PITA!

It is only every other year but one other thing it does is allow you to laugh at people who have frozen exhaust nuts. I never have that issue.

[vick]

Is it correct that with the amendment, for a car over 30 yrs old you could basically pay $200 (after paying for and failing two smog checks) and get off the hook? I assume they'd nail you for that every two years?

[jason2guy]

you would be surprised at what you can get away with. most smog guys have no idea what the OE equip looks like. ive had a dansk premuffler forever and not 1 comment.
if the car will pass the sniffer test its just a matter of finding the right smog tech.
there is a great place on lincoln in santa monica, the guy didnt even look under the car

[MyFlat6]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

It is only every other year but one other thing it does is allow you to laugh at people who have frozen exhaust nuts. I never have that issue.

True it is every other. Doesn't feel like it though!

[MyFlat6]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

It is only every other year but one other thing it does is allow you to laugh at people who have frozen exhaust nuts. I never have that issue.

Originally Posted by jason2guy

you would be surprised at what you can get away with. most smog guys have no idea what the OE equip looks like. ive had a dansk premuffler forever and not 1 comment.
if the car will pass the sniffer test its just a matter of finding the right smog tech.
there is a great place on lincoln in santa monica, the guy didnt even look under the car

You are correct. Here is my situation. My car did pass last year (the NO level barely passed) but I was told that I have to go to a STAR certified shop this year. I am worried they are going to be more thorough in the visual test. Wish I could take it back to where I took it a couple years ago but they are not a STAR shop.

[acme911]

After dealing with the stupidity of our state on my '76 for many years. i went out this summer and got a '74 where my 3.0 motor can finally breathe freely.

[timchar]

Originally Posted by acme911

After dealing with the stupidity of our state on my '76 for many years. i went out this summer and got a '74 where my 3.0 motor can finally breathe freely.

I did the same thing with a 75....can't get me now... Tim

[dwelle]

precisely why i bought a '75 with a 3.2...

[patz]

We had an exemption, Ahnold repealed it. Send him a memo.

[86 911 Targa]

^^^^^
WE ALL REMEMBER THIS.........

[Avanti]

Smog techs have no control of the test criteria aka "cut points". It is automatically done by the smog machine for each vehicle tested. The BAR is always changing them and making it harder for an older vehicle to pass but when you looks at the limits, its not too bad IF your engine is good and have good fuel control. The big smog issue for air-cooled vehicles is NOx because it is caused by heat and pressure and our cars run relatively hot compared to water cooled vehicles.

Below is a link to the CA BAR chart of cut points for all cars required for a smog test. I put my cars on smog machine I have access to and compare my results to the chart before I take it in for a real test.

http://www.bar.ca.gov/pubwebquery/cutpoints/showmake.aspx

[pmax]

Originally Posted by Avanti

The big smog issue for air-cooled vehicles is NOx because it is caused by heat and pressure and our cars run relatively hot compared to water cooled vehicles.

I don't see any difference in the NO limit between the water coolers and air cooled.

HC (ppm) Carbon Monoxide (%) Nitric Oxide (ppm)
2007 54 0.5 430
1997 55 0.5 437
1987 85 0.76 565

[Avanti]

Originally Posted by pmax

I don't see any difference in the NO limit between the water coolers and air cooled.

HC (ppm) Carbon Monoxide (%) Nitric Oxide (ppm)
2007 54 0.5 430
1997 55 0.5 437
1987 85 0.76 565

Sorry, should have been more specific on years and catalytic converters.

Theoretically speaking an air cooled engine will run hotter and produce more Nox than a water cooled. Of course there are variables such as engine placement. ambient temperatures, etc.

I am not an expert on Porsche emission control applications year by year, but during the late 70s most if not all auto manufacturers used 2-way cats that reduced HC and CO only. Later came 3-way cats that also reduce NOx which the cars listed above have. Check out the NOx cut points on late 70s vehicles. Most over 1000 ppm. Vehicles with 2 way cats usually have an EGR valve and system whose sole purpose is to reduce NOx. If this system is not working its best and the car has a 2 way cat, Nox failures during smog testing are a strong possibility.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by Avanti

Smog techs have no control of the test criteria aka "cut points". It is automatically done by the smog machine for each vehicle tested. The BAR is always changing them and making it harder for an older vehicle to pass but when you looks at the limits, its not too bad IF your engine is good and have good fuel control. The big smog issue for air-cooled vehicles is NOx because it is caused by heat and pressure and our cars run relatively hot compared to water cooled vehicles.

Below is a link to the CA BAR chart of cut points for all cars required for a smog test. I put my cars on smog machine I have access to and compare my results to the chart before I take it in for a real test.

Vehicle Cutpoints

Some interesting reading in the footnotes of the above link.

After posting the chart for pass/fail cut-off points (I looked only at 1976 911s), there are the following notations:
"While this application provides emissions standards that are intended to be identical to those used during inspection, the emissions standards applied by the Emissions Inspection System take precedence over those produced by this application." Emphasis, mine. This sounds like the standards at the test center (in the machine), whatever they may be, supersede those posted in the chart.

"Note: If test data on emission pass/fail rates or gross polluter identification rates indicate adjustments are required, the emission standards may be increased or decreased by the bureau by 30% or by the following tolerances, or standards may be set for any specific vehicle and engine configuration which the bureau determines has excessive errors of commission or omission, whichever is necessary to comply with Section 44001.5 of the Health and Safety Code." Emphasis, mine. This appears to give the BAR wiggle room to change the standards from factory original to whatever BAR deems necessary, up to 30%.

[Ferrino]

I've never understood the aversion to doing some wrenching every 2 years if it's something you enjoy.

[Avanti]

No surprise.

My experiences with the BAR is they write rules so they can do whatever they want.