CA smog on old 911's

[Jd21476]

So the mechanic just told me that the car does not have a catalytic converter on it at this time and will not pass CA smog but he can modify it to meet CA regs. I believe that if the car was originally a 49 state car then it doe snot have to meet CA smog regulations to be brought in to CA but I need to know where it was firs sold. I checked CARFAX and it only goes back to 1995. Is there anyplace I can look to see where the car was first sold?

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by famoroso

He doesn't have a later motor installed, but rather his original 3.2 built as a 3.4..

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1055290-what-piece.html

OP, ignore all the posts about later engine requirements and BAR referees.

famoroso,

The original motors of SC’s are 3.0 liter motors. None has original 3.2 unless you have a Carrera 3.2 (‘84~’89). According to OP, he has an ‘83 car.

Tony

[Solamar]

Originally Posted by Jd21476

So the mechanic just told me that the car does not have a catalytic converter on it at this time and will not pass CA smog but he can modify it to meet CA regs. I believe that if the car was originally a 49 state car then it doe snot have to meet CA smog regulations to be brought in to CA but I need to know where it was firs sold. I checked CARFAX and it only goes back to 1995. Is there anyplace I can look to see where the car was first sold?

Definitely double check this, but my understanding with 49 state cars in CA is that they must have ALL the original 49 state smog equipment intact and functional. Your 49 state car would certainly have originally come with a Cat.

If it were a European (ROW) car, chances are slim to zero that it could ever be registered in CA.

[darrin]

Originally Posted by Solamar

Definitely double check this, but my understanding with 49 state cars in CA is that they must have ALL the original 49 state smog equipment intact and functional. Your 49 state car would certainly have originally come with a Cat.

If it were a European (ROW) car, chances are slim to zero that it could ever be registered in CA.

importantly, since your '83 SC has a later Carrera engine in it, you'll likely have to go through the extra step of getting a smog referee to certify that the later engine has all smog "stuff" applicable to it (e.g. cat, oxygen sensor, motronic computer, etc.) installed and working. Don't think the 3.4 conversion would be an issue (of course, don't bring that up) as long as it has all the original stuff attached and working AND it smogs "cleanly."

[Avanti]

Your car may still have its original emission decal in the engine compartment area. It will read if its a CA or model. It will say which one it is in the paragraph "this car conforms....".
In my earlier post I left the link to the BAR site with emission cut points. This will tell you what a CA car is allowed to pollute and a Federal model. Very helpful to the tech when tuning to pass smog.

[monkeyodeath]

Originally Posted by Jd21476

So the mechanic just told me that the car does not have a catalytic converter on it at this time and will not pass CA smog but he can modify it to meet CA regs. I believe that if the car was originally a 49 state car then it doe snot have to meet CA smog regulations to be brought in to CA but I need to know where it was firs sold. I checked CARFAX and it only goes back to 1995. Is there anyplace I can look to see where the car was first sold?

If your car was bought in the US, then it definitely had a catalytic converter on it, regardless of what state it was sold in.

If it's missing, that's an automatic fail. The cat is the one part of the whole setup that the smog tech is going to inspect most closely. It has to be either OE or an approved aftermarket -- and they will read the serial number off it.

[Jd21476]

Originally Posted by famoroso

He doesn't have a later motor installed, but rather his original 3.2 built as a 3.4...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1055290-what-piece.html

OP, ignore all the posts about later engine requirements and BAR referees.

Actually it says the car came with a 3.0 so the 3.2 would be a later motor.

[Jd21476]

So the car is currently at ******** Stebel in El Cajon and the owner has been there 50 years. He seems to know what he is talking about when it comes to these cars and he said he can definitely get it smog compliant for CA and he will give me a quote. One way or another I am going to do it because I am not going to sell my Dad's car but it may have to sit for a little while if the price is too much.

Thankfully the second vehicle my Dad left me does not require CA smog.

[CrankyBurroMXer]

Great lookin engine swap on that custom!
Luv the Diamond plate floor.
Front tire is only flat on the bottom.

[sjanes]

I'm interesting in how this goes for you. I have an 87 with a 3.2 -> 3.4L conversion that I brought with me from Canada and I need to get it smog'd. I put a new CARB cat on it and got a new chip from SW to pass Cali smog, but with the shelter in place going on, I'm just in wait mode, so I'm interested in what your mechanic has to do.

[Jtt84911]

Hi Guys
Just to jump in here... I’m in a similar situation (911’s coming into Cali from elsewhere) with my 84.

Been in SoCal for a few months from NJ. Was time to renew my declared value insurance policy and when I phoned to give my SoCal address was told car needed to be registered in CA before the policy could be renewed.

Started registration process and was given the bad news about CA Smog test. In NJ I no longer required inspections for past 3 or 4 years.... so K&N air filter, performance chip and cat bypass wasn’t an issue.

So under advisement... put my cat back on, will put my stock air box back on an have car Smog tested through Cape Auto...here in Mission Viejo. Hopefully it will pass with my current chip set up (the 84 ECU was replaced with an 87 ECU with a performance chip) but if not James at Cape will temporarily hook up ECU with standard chip.

Will keep you posted on what happens.

Regards,
JT

[sjanes]

Originally Posted by Jd21476

So the car is currently at ******** Stebel in El Cajon and the owner has been there 50 years. He seems to know what he is talking about when it comes to these cars and he said he can definitely get it smog compliant for CA and he will give me a quote. One way or another I am going to do it because I am not going to sell my Dad's car but it may have to sit for a little while if the price is too much.

Thankfully the second vehicle my Dad left me does not require CA smog.

Your Dad was obviously a gear head. Did he build or buy the trike?

[Jd21476]

Originally Posted by CrankyBurroMXer

Great lookin engine swap on that custom!
Luv the Diamond plate floor.
Front tire is only flat on the bottom.

I dont know why it was flat because I just reset the bead on the tire and re-inflated it and it was fine.

[87maniac]

why not put on a stock cat for CA smog,
then after it passes remove and replace with a cat bypass.

Every two years, swap the cat back on for smog test.
30 minute job. You can find a stock cat in parts for sale,
aftermarket cats may arouse suspicions by smog tech.
keep it all stock looking, most smog techs don't know whats
upgraded or stock.

[darrin]

Originally Posted by 87maniac

why not put on a stock cat for CA smog,
then after it passes remove and replace with a cat bypass.

Every two years, swap the cat back on for smog test.
30 minute job. You can find a stock cat in parts for sale,
aftermarket cats may arouse suspicions by smog tech.
keep it all stock looking, most smog techs don't know whats
upgraded or stock.

here in colorado, we have mobile emissions testing stations that "sniff" all cars as they drive by -- great thing to have if you car's smog equipped / healthy, as it eliminates the semi-annual smog test, but can result in a gross polluter "love note" from the state, if you car isn't.

Not sure what CA has, but might make the most sense for the OP to get his car set up to be smog-compliant (with a CARB-approved cat) and avoid potential future hassles. Could also be worth checking our the M&K CARB-approved active cat option, as its muffler bypass valve opens during aggressive driving to mitigate much of the back pressure associated with the cat (and give the exhaust sound some real "character") -- win win?

[Jtt84911]

Hi Guys
Said in my post above (#31) I’d circle back after putting the original bits back on the car whether or not it passed the the CA Smog test.

Even with the higher performance chip in the ECU... James @ Cape informed me it passed... and in fact was considerably below the limit... so looks like I’ll now be getting my Cali plates!

Pretty sure local AAA office where I started the registration process is closed because of COVID19 - but think the DMV’s in Orange County may be open?

Regards,
JT

[darrin]

GREAT news!!!! when properly tuned/dialed in, these carrera/motronic engines can run quite clean -- enjoy

[pmax]

Motronic rocks.



Not bad for a 34yr old system.

[Synchro Joe]

"why not put on a stock cat for CA smog, then after it passes remove and replace with a cat bypass.
Every two years, swap the cat back on for smog test. 30 minute job.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This worked for me when I lived in Taxiforicatia. When I moved to AZ, just left the cat bypass on (no smog tests where I live). Never had a problem there with a SW chip installed, just did a good tune up prior and made sure the 'tech' put the fans in the back. They're mostly NOT mechanics and receive only the minimum training to get their SMOG ticket to do business.

[RNajarian]

Originally Posted by Jd21476

I just inherited my Dad's 1983 911 that has been upgraded to a 3.4 and I am concerned about CA smog compliance. I plan on keeping the car but I know CA smog can be tough on older cars. This car came from out of State where it did not need to meet CA smog compliance. Any words of advice?

Here are the official guidelines from the BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair) on the subject.

https://bar.ca.gov/pdf/Smog_Check_Reference_Guide.pdf

Essentially, an out of state car will need a VIN check at a DMV office and technically your 1983 SC will need to pass the smog requirements of the year of your 3.4 motor.