CA Smog Legal?

[Bluemach1]

Pointers? Tips? Do's and Dont's? How easy (or difficult) was it to get approved?

I would really like to learn from your experience before I start my project.

Thanks!

[Bluemach1]

Nobody?
Admin - Didnt you just go through this?

[craighardy]

Sorry for not responding sooner.

I would say the most important thing is to make sure everything looks clean and stock. The biggest issue is that every smog referee tends to interpret the law differently. The first guy that I went to said that I would need the transmission and fuel tank, pump and level sender from the donor vehicle. If your engine was removed from a vehicle that had an auto trans than some referee's will claim the computer controls the shift points of the transmission and this in turn effects the emissions, if the engine was out of a 6spd than it's not an issue. One way around this is to remove the id sticker from the ECU and have the ECU reflashed with a 6spd VIN.

As far as the charcoal canister goes. I ended up mounting the Camaro canister inside the Dr. side front fender where the Porsche canister is mounted. You also need to install the vent valve onto the canister. I used the Porsche lines.

Make sure everything is functional and then cross your fingers! The first referee looked at my ECU and ran the ID number to check it out. He also looked under the car at the fuel tank and charcoal canister setup. He ended up stopping the test and told me that I had some more work to do. The second guy didn't even look at the ECU or fuel tank. I showed him where the charcoal canister was mounted and he passed me without any questions.

Craig

[Bluemach1]

Thanks! I may be calling on you in the near future. Hope your still around then! Your out of the 944's now?

[craighardy]

I'll be around. I still have a 924 turbo but for now no 944's. I'm building a 912 subbie now.

[Bluemach1]

Well, I bought a 1986 turbo. I am getting my stuff ready and investigating the smog situation some more. I spoke with someone at the BAR about swapping. The only thing that he thought would be an issue was moving the cats. I see that you did on yours. Did the referee ever call you on that? Also, I see that you routed your aircleaner under the front panel. Did you do this because of BAR or because this is where you wanted it? What else was tricky that you can recall? Evap recovery?

Thanks for your words of wisdom on this!

Thanks,
Ted

[craighardy]

I was worried about moving the cats but the ref just looked to make sure they were there. Of course I didn't mention that they were moved; basically don't volunteer any info unless asked.

I moved the aircleaner under the front panel because this particular CARB legal filter would not fit anywhere else. I also liked the idea of picking up the cooler air upfront.

The rest of the smog equipment wasn’t too bad. I did have a problem with some codes popping up but that’s nothing your local ECU guy can’t “fix” for you.

[Bluemach1]

I think that is a logical placement for the AF, but kind of a PITA to get to to service it I think.

Is there anything tricky about the fuel system that you recall?

[craighardy]

You cannot legally modify the fuel rail for a return so the easy way around that is to use a Corvette fuel filter which has a built in regulator and return line. I mounted mine in the rear and replaced the factory Porsche filter with it. I used the larger 10mm line as my feed line. I ordered(can't remember where?) a stainless braided fuel line about 18" long with a compression fitting on one end and the GM style quick disconnect on the other. I pulled the inner fender linner in the pass side wheel well and this is where I made my splice for the compression fitting. You will need a double flaring tool to make this connection. This is what it looks like if you don't already know http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00061SGG8 Turn the fuel rail 180 degrees so that the inlet is on the passenger side and your done.

[craighardy]

You can see part of the fuel line here with the quick disconnect.
http://www.hybrid9s.com/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=194

[Bluemach1]

Thanks, Craig! keep it coming! I think that I read a post on one of the sites that showed the lines running in the wheel well. I'll have to dig that back up.

Too bad you got rid of yours. I would have really liked to have seen it.