SC 3.0 California SMOG

[Burny]

Hi All. I'm a newbie to Porsche automobiles and I've been lurking around for a while. This site is an incredible resource and I am hoping someone can help me out here. I'm in California and looking at a '79 3.0 SC coupe that is for sale. Problem is all the emissions components have been removed/bypassed and in order to get it registered I'd need to pass SMOG. Can someone provide an estimate on how much $$ it would take to convert this back to smog legal? Thanks in advance...

[82 SC]

I think they are working on a law to only have pre 82 and older do smog? Might do a search for it.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

You need a Catalytic Converter that has good guts inside
Also need an O2 sensor in a STOCK exhaust system
All the breather hoses that manage oil fumes from the engine and oil tank need to be checked.
Last item (I believe) is the carbon canister in the front left fender well, this has all the hoses from the fuel tank and engine that manage gasoline fumes.

If they don't pass you or won't test you, make an appointment with the DMV smog referee @ Cal State Fullerton.

Get some Xanax too

[Burny]

82 SC, I saw there was a law change discussed back in 2015, but I'm pretty sure that measure was struck down... 3rd gear, thanks for the detailed list on components. Now I can at least price them...

In the meantime, I'll stock up on Xanax...

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by 3rd_gear_Ted

You need a Catalytic Converter that has good guts inside
Also need an O2 sensor in a STOCK exhaust system

the 78-79 do NOT have an 02 sensor. they where equipped with an air pump, a spider manifold & associated plumbing that delivers air generated by the pump to the heads just under the exhaust valves into the exhaust ports. this helps the cat work more effectively with the air to aid the burning of the emissions.

it will also have EGR valve buried between the fire wall and CIS system on the passenger side. very hard to get to to replace or reinstall, but not so buried that a smog tech can't reach around & feel it in place, or not.

the plumbing for the air pump is quite involved if looking to source all the parts, takes a different engine tin piece as well to accommodate the plumbing to the bottom of the motor. if the seller does not have the parts I might consider looking into a different car, or look in the classifieds for a complete set up. ive seen people looking to borrow the entire assembly for smog testing.

ive seen the info on moving the cut off for smog testing to 82, but would anticipate you would likely have to pass a final emission test to be let into the program.

jb

[0396]

Originally Posted by 82 SC

I think they are working on a law to only have pre 82 and older do smog? Might do a search for it.

Waiting for a possible law is like believing in the fairy - especially living in this tree hugging state.

You can locate all the parts but it will take time. I think its faster to buy a complete engine with all the smog components. Good luck

[82 SC]

yep its a fairy tale for sure in CA. But here in NC I have 1 year left till my 82 SC is 35 years old and then NO INSPECTIONS EVER AGAIN! LOL! I would go with another car too if I lived in CA with the correct emission items. Finding the items might take a long time but it if is a good deal get it.
Later,

[acme911]

Originally Posted by 0396

Waiting for a possible law is like believing in the fairy - especially living in this tree hugging state.

You can locate all the parts but it will take time. I think its faster to buy a complete engine with all the smog components. Good luck

Agree. Either that or look for '75 or older.

[Flat6pac]

The 78/79 Cali cars also had a tap on the cross over exhaust pipe for the EGR system.
Bruce

[Brando]

Take a pic of the underside/exhaust on your car, post it here. You will definitely need a catalytic converter. If you're local to SoCal I can help you out. My 1982 passed a little high on HydroCarbons but overall good with a cat. If everything is functional on your car you can pass with little to no tuning. If lots of things have been altered or removed entirely... This may be an uphill battle.

When do you need to register the car and have the test done? I saw some original SC exhaust on the classifieds last night, but finding the air punp and other bits may be challenging.

[Burny]

Brando- I haven't purchased the car yet. This is a pre-purchase inquiry. Seems like it was the smart thing to do...

Thanks for all the detailed responses. Good info here for sure!

[patz]

Originally Posted by 82 SC

I think they are working on a law to only have pre 82 and older do smog? Might do a search for it.

it's 81 and older that will be exempt from inspection IF it passes. You can blame that wanker Ahnold for signing the bill that repealed the former rolling 30 year exemption.

"Technically" they still need to maintain the factory equipment but since there is no inspection it is "wink, wink, nudge, nudge who's yer uncle"....no one will be the wiser.

['76 911S 3.0]

I have all the EOM emissions equipment from a '79 SC California car if you are in need of anything...

[Brando]

Originally Posted by Burny

Brando- I haven't purchased the car yet. This is a pre-purchase inquiry. Seems like it was the smart thing to do...

If that's the case, it's the seller's problem to make it pass smog - not yours! You can't sell a car to a person in CA without the emissions test completed. When selling, the smog cert is good for 90 days.

[Burny]

Brando- I thought that was the case...wasn't sure...Thanks!

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

The 78/79 Cali cars also had a tap on the cross over exhaust pipe for the EGR system.
Bruce

yep, forgotten about that. thing is, with a good cat and the air pump & EGR dummied in most well tuned early 3.ol cars will pass the sniffer portion of the test. li suspect this has to do with the lower compression, bigger, free-er flowing heads that the later 3.ol SC had. less not forget the superior for it's time bosch CIS system.

remember, the flat 6 of the late 70's put out more HP than the v8 vettes & Camaros of the same era. Porsche was way ahead of it's time with fuel injection back then...

jb

[juanbenae]

shoot, my pops bought a 1 ton GMC 4x new in 78 and it put out barely over 200 HP. it was a pig, he swapped the motor out on after only owning it for a year or so. my mom was pissed...

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by Brando

If that's the case, it's the seller's problem to make it pass smog - not yours! You can't sell a car to a person in CA without the emissions test completed. When selling, the smog cert is good for 90 days.

^ Exactly!
But most people don't know so they don't require it of the seller.

Here is the info from the DMV site. https://dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcmath:/dmv_content_en/dmv/vr/smogfaq

Section 4 has the important bit:
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"When a car is sold, who is responsible for the inspection?

The seller is required to provide the buyer with a valid smog inspection certification at the time of the sale or transfer. Smog certifications are good for 90 days from the date of issuance.

The inspection is not required on a transfer if a biennial smog certification was submitted to DMV within 90 days prior to the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification)."

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If you think it might be hard to get the car to pass smog be sure and ask him where he got it smogged because you will need to get it smogged in the future.