Were all Carrera 3.2s 50 state smog legal or were there special versions with smog components made for California?

 

All US 3.2s were "50 State" models. The last year for the "49 State / Cal" distinction was '79.

 

Yes, but . . .

3.2 Carreras had one slight difference. The DME allows for 3 different settings: RoW, 49 states & CA. The CA cars had 'the brown wire' connected on the DME & for the 49 state version it was disconnected. It changes the DME curves to reduce smog output.

See Pelican Thread

Ian

 

Thanks. Great thread on Pelican.

 

The Pelican forum was not clear to me, does this work on 84-86 3.2s or just 87+ cars? And while I am asking, what about SCs? I am looking for a new car and I have not decided which way to go.

 

I believe it is all 84-89 3.2 Carreras. For reading, do a search on Pelican on - dme AND brown AND wire - or click HERE.

SCs did not use a DME - they used CIS fuel management.

Ian

 

Rick, if you are refining the selection decision of a 3.2 Carrera, (my advice is) don't get hung up on whether the car was first sold in CA. It is clear that there is very, very little difference & that one can easily change the jumper to the DME (once those guys on Pelican figure out exactly what's what) to make the Motronics brain box operate exactly as it does everywhere. This is not at all comparable to the major hardware (& perf & engine wear) differences in the CA cars in previous SC years.

The usual (Bruce Anderson!) advice applies - get the best example that your budget allows. The big distinction in 3.2s is the G50 box replacing the 915, in '87. Later 3.2s also have a (somewhat) better AC & there were some upgrades to the brake system as the years went by. As always, physical condition, ownership + maint history are the most critical factors. Happy hunting!