Smog rules pertaining to California

[George Az]

What are the rules for smog in California? It is very confusing. Pre 67 exempt? Pre 74 exempt cats, but needs PVC? If you have a vehicle from a year that only had one catalytic, you cannot add a second for the second pipe? It is really confusing to someone who is not from California. I moved from California in the 90's but only had basic factory set ups and mild performance work done via JBA on my Thunderbird SC. I don't think my late 70's vehicle now missing smog pump can go back.

If one converts to an Alt fuel - say E-85 are you exempt? Any exemptions?

Thank you

[jakespeeds]

If you have a vehicle 1975 or older its very simple. You are exempt. Anything newer than that can get sort of complicated the further you get from stock. I have a couple of pre-75 cars that I don't worry about. But I also have a 98 GT Mustang to is pretty modified. I just made sure everything I used on the car had what is called an EO certification number. It means the item has been certified to be smog legal in this screwball state. The only place I had not done that was the exhaust where I used an X pipe without cats. Then I use a handle held controller that plugs into the factory ECU. I had a custom tune made for the car that also turns off the back O2 sensors. Runs around most of the time that way. For smog inspection I put the factory mid-pipe back in and load the factory tune. It just passed with flying colors. So it can be done.

Jake

[akio]

What are the rules for smog in California? It is very confusing. Pre 67 exempt? Pre 74 exempt cats, but needs PVC? If you have a vehicle from a year that only had one catalytic, you cannot add a second for the second pipe? It is really confusing to someone who is not from California. I moved from California in the 90's but only had basic factory set ups and mild performance work done via JBA on my Thunderbird SC. I don't think my late 70's vehicle now missing smog pump can go back.

If one converts to an Alt fuel - say E-85 are you exempt? Any exemptions?

Thank you

Okay, '75 and older, no smog check, still can not "tamper" with engine emission controls. You won't be caught, but it is still illegal.
'76 and up, full dyno smog check required every two years. No performance parts without an EO number. No conversions of single exhaust to dual.
Alternative fuels are not exempt, even hybrids are on the test list. The only cars that get a pass are pre-'98 factory diesels.
EPA requires cats starting in '75.

Have fun...

http://asktheref.org/
http://asktheref.org/Services/SmogExemptions/tabid/506/Default.aspx
http://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/Smog_Check_Requirements_by_Vehicle_Type.pdf
http://smogcheck.ca.gov/Industry/Engine_Change_Guidelines.html