[Grady Clay]

I think there are two questions here:
What was original California equipment?
What are the current CARB requirements for an original CA car?

As corollary to the second question, are the requirements different for a 49-State version ‘imported’ into CA or a CA version, registered in another state and then reintroduced to CA?

Someone correct me, is MY1976 the first year where a CA registered car must meet all CARB requirements as originally delivered?
If that is true, what are the rules on installing a later engine (’77 Turbo or otherwise)? Do other systems have to be updated?

I’m assuming the ’76 is a very nice car and worth considering.
Anything less and I understand you should consider the CARB exempt ’74 models. I understand there is some ‘gray area’ concern about ’75 being exempt.




In looking at the ’76 CA emissions system, it needs to be in the historical perspective starting (sorta) with the ’74 model and ending (sorta) with the ’78 model. This only concerns the USA 49-state models and the CA models, not Sportomatics, not 930 Turbo, not RoW, not other countries.

In 1974 there were: 911, 911S, Carrera 2.7.
In 1975 there were: 911S, Carrera 2.7.
In 1976 there was: 911S.
In 1977 there was: 911S.
In 1978 there was the 911SC 3.0.

Important here are the engines:
In 1974 there were: 911/92 for 911, 911/93 for both 911S and Carrera (50-states).
In 1975 there were: 911/43 (49-state), 911/44 (California) for both 911S.
In 1976 there were: 911/82 (49-state) and 911/84 (California).
In 1977 there was: 911/85 (for both 49-state and California).
In 1978 there were: 930/04 (49-state) and 930/06 (California).


As you can see, one of Porsche’s ‘solutions’ to meeting emissions regulations was to offer fewer 911 models in the USA – down to only one in 1977.

It is probably easiest to compare this sequence:
The 1974 type 911/93 (50-state).
The 1975 type 911/43 (49-state) and 911/44 (California).
The 1976 type 911/82 (49-state) and 911/84 (California).
The 1977 type 911/85 (for both 49-state and California).
That is ONLY six engines.

There are two important features here: What are the year-to-year differences and what are the 49-state to California differences.


continued