looking at 912 e without thermals,can i get it smogged in ca

[rosenfe]

the owner is telling me that if car fails smog and california bar cannot find new thermals ,then car can get a waiver.anyone have experience with this.?he has air pump without belt or hooked up to inject air to engine.engine is rebuilt with only 100 miles on it.

should

[WFBowen]

I can only tell you my experience with smogging a 912E which was 12 years ago. Also, I live in Ventura County which is part of the more stringent So.CA. AQMD.
First off, in Calif. the seller absolutely must smog the car. It doesn't matter what the buyer and seller agree to in word or writing (i.e. "buyer agrees to smog car," etc.)
If you have a 912E you might be directed to a "test only" facility. A lot depends on the visual part of the test where (before the tailpipe test) the technician inspects for the required bits and pieces on the car - everything from charcoal cannister; proper gas cap, correct distributor and, of course the air pump/aux. air valve/ override valve and egr system. On their computers, they have real-time access to appropriate parts diagrams and even actual part numbers. In the past, some (me included) have gotten away with merely pointing to the heater cannisters when asked about the thermal reactors, but that's no guarantee that it could work for you.
If the seller has the air pump disconnected the car won't even be able to proceed to a smog test. If you haven't purchased the car then walk away no matter what promises the seller makes - So. California is flooded with 1976 and later "gross polluters" that failed their tests. Legally they can't be sold without compliance if to be registered in the more strict areas of the state. Also, there are numerous cases of the courts ruling in favor of individuals who bought cars that wouldn't pass smog and got their money back.
I'd take a pass on the car if you can.