California Pantera Owners

Hi Jon,

Luckily for us Ford-era Panteras, here in California we are exempt from the smog police.

No smog inspection for registration, not even when bringing one in from another state.

We are free to do whatever we like.

At least for now.

So for your major market - the Ford-era cars, you are good to go.

Larry

Larry,
Glad to hear that, I was looking at MSD ignition literature and a label "CARB D-40-2", researched and realized I never checked the CA emission laws (CARB) before I designed an engine product. Almost a marketing disaster.
Thanks for your help, Jon

quote:

Originally posted by LF - TP 2511:
Hi Jon,

Luckily for us Ford-era Panteras, here in California we are exempt from the smog police.

No smog inspection for registration, not even when bringing one in from another state.

We are free to do whatever we like.

At least for now.

So for your major market - the Ford-era cars, you are good to go.

Larry

I heard that we don't need to be smog compliant to register our cars (no smog test needed), but that our cars still need to be smog compliant...CA double talk eh? Anyway if the local gumshoe tests you as non compliant such as with a sniffer on the road, then I believe you have issues. I remember conversations on that subject a few years back, not sure if that is exactly true or not, but I thought it was on this forum.

What I know for sure is when I brought my car in from Oregon in '02 and took it to DMV, I asked if they needed to inspect the engine.

The reply was "No, we just need to check the VIN."

And each year thereafter, all they want is my money. Unlike my other cars which call for a smog inspection every two years.

Larry

quote:

Originally posted by LF - TP 2511:
What I know for sure is when I brought my car in from Oregon in '02 and took it to DMV, I asked if they needed to inspect the engine.

The reply was "No, we just need to check the VIN."

And each year thereafter, all they want is my money. Unlike my other cars which call for a smog inspection every two years.

Larry

Thats right, same with me when I brought in my Group 4 from out of state, just showem the vin and pay the fee. But if they get these hidden sniffers going on freeway ramps & such then I think you need to be environmentaly compliant still. Maybe someone who knows the law or a local gumshoe will chime in.

From California DMV website http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm#BM2535

"Currently, smog inspections are required for all vehicles except diesel powered vehicles manufactured prior to 1998 or with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR) of more than 14,000 lbs, electric, natural gas powered vehicles over 14,000 lbs, hybrids, motorcycles, trailers, or gasoline powered vehicles 1975 and older."

My understanding is that the cars are not subject to the biannual inspection but are supposed to be equipped as they were sold originally.

So at some point in the future they could require that you reinstall any smog equipment you have removed.

quote:

Originally posted by Pantdino:
My understanding is that the cars are not subject to the biannual inspection but are supposed to be equipped as they were sold originally.

So at some point in the future they could require that you reinstall any smog equipment you have removed.

Yeah maybe that is what I heard & read. I will get some extra duct tape for the smog devices and see what I can do in the engine compartment.

As long as whatever you have designed tends to improve efficiency /decrease emissions it will not be a problem.

When I had my car at the referee station they said the installation of an electronic ignition system was a good thing.

quote:

the installation of an electronic ignition system was a good thing.

Only if it has a CARB exemption approval number....

Any other altering of a stock emissions control system will get you in trouble.

Larry

I bought my car in 2005 and they didn't even check the vin...just gave them the paperwork and paid the fees "based on the real purchase price". Maybe the DMV lady felt sorry for me that I was too honest to save money a based on a bogus purchase price and documentation.

I've switched my heads to the closed chamber heads (72 OC vs 70 CC) and swapped to a DuraSpark I ignition. I would assume that the motor would have better emissions??? I just heard that Kaleefornia is doing random smog (like sobriety) check points?

quote:

just gave them the paperwork and paid the fees "based on the real purchase price". Maybe the DMV lady felt sorry for me that I was too honest to save money a based on a bogus purchase price and documentation.

I think they only checked my VIN because it was an out-of-state registration (Oregon).

As for purchase price documentation, the clerk just asked me what I paid. No paper work requested.

I had paid for the car with two cashier's checks - with an ulterior motive. I was prepared to show DMV the lower ($12K) of the the two to verify the purchase price.

But when I told her "twelve thousand dollars", her only response was - "Gee, that's a lot of money for such an old car".



Larry

quote:

"Gee, that's a lot of money for such an old car".

That's pretty funny....gee I wonder if the name might be a clue, but then again it's got that Ford badge on it.

Its interesting, California is thinking about changing the current system for checking cars for smog compliance...the sniffer leaves too much room for fraud and the inspection stations are rife with it supposedly, that's why they are doing the spot checks and pulling people over. I'm sure there will be some attorney who sues the state over "well officer why did you choose to pull this car over? Isn't that like racial profiling in the airports?" I can see it now, they will be checking Pirus owners....but they won't stop at the check point because of the brake problems.

quote:

I can see it now, they will be checking Pirus owners....but they won't stop at the check point because of the brake problems.

That is funny.

I told my lady that even though her Prius is a 2008 and not on the recall list that, "just in case", I took out a $1M life insurance policy on her.

It's best to be honest up front

If you have an MSD ignition, the red brick, do you need the CARB sticker on the firewall or on the red brick? How is the MSD viewed; as an emission or performance part?

Jon3613, Honestly we simply don't worry about it for cars that are 1975 and older. Even though they are supposed to remain smog compliant, the reality is most are not. I have read that the Calif. random smog checks are "voluntary" NEVER EVER volunteer. Thats my 2-cents

Looks like someone believes this a big issue...thankfully we are exempt...for now at least. Below is a link from the Daily News in SoCal on an article from today's paper.

http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_14494966

Thankfully our numbers are relatively small when you consider how often our "type" of cars are driven and the number of miles they account for. I assume these random checks don't include exempt cars.

Here's another article that says the inspections are voluntary.

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/new...he-AIr-85424567.html

I have always heard that California has the toughest smog laws. I am surprised you don't need to smog your cars for registration. I have to smog my '72 every year to renew my registration in Vegas. Let's just say that it is difficult.

CA smog-nazis have tried at last 6 times to override the old car smog exemption since it passed in the '80s. So far, the massive public outcry and a few election losses by the writers of such changes has discouraged them. But I expect the lawyers will keep trying. It seems as though the more broke CA gets, the more stringent the smog requirements become- and the higher the penalties. Imagine that.

You live in the wrong NV County. In Douglas County just south of Carson City, NV, we have to put up with 10% alcohol in our gas but NO smog laws at all. A blown big-block would be just fine. 1 mile north in Washoe County, they have CA-based smog laws....

Thanks to everyone that commented on this topic, I believe I can continue development.