This car haas no smog pump and no cat. It has the back dated pre 74 exhaust system. How will I get this car past emmissions. I bought the car as a project and didn't think about this and now will this be a major problem for me. Also the car has never been driven more then the 5000 mile limite in this state and it states that if the car isn't driven 5000 miles you don't have to have emmissions done, but this is the first year I will have the car will I have to go through emmissions or will I be exampt?????

 

You have the same configuration as my 1980 911SC Euro that I just bought. Fortunately, we don't have emissions testing out where I live, but I do know that it passed the Northern Virginia (DC area) emissions test every two years from about 1992-1998 with no problems. It may not be as bad as you think. Plus, some states have less-stringent regulations for older cars, like in Texas where if a car is more than 25 years old (I think), it doesn't have to be emissions tested. So don't panic just yet!

[quote]Originally posted by crashmy911:
<strong>This car haas no smog pump and no cat. It has the back dated pre 74 exhaust system. How will I get this car past emmissions. I bought the car as a project and didn't think about this and now will this be a major problem for me. Also the car has never been driven more then the 5000 mile limite in this state and it states that if the car isn't driven 5000 miles you don't have to have emmissions done, but this is the first year I will have the car will I have to go through emmissions or will I be exampt?????</strong><hr></blockquote>

 

I think it was John Walker who suggested that you plug one injector (braze it shut) for the emmissions test. Your run on five cylinders with one cylinder acting as an air pump to dilute your output.

 

In my experience its a total crap shoot. I have lived in both VA and MD and the tech doing the test determined if I passed or failed every time. One guy in VA looked at the front of the 911 for the engine, no problem passing that one.

If the station has a guide and actually checks that the proper equipment is there, air pump, CAT and so on, you might be screwed. I suggest reading up on the specifcs for your county and talking to some local PCA guys. You are not the only one to have this issue, maybe there is a shop/testing station somewhere that isnt as strict??

Best of luck

Chris

 

You didn't say what state you in, but I know of a few states (Ohio included) that can issue collector plates to people who own collectable cars and have then as a second vehicle. These cars are exempt from testing.
If this is your daily driver, then I suggest you lean out your fuel mixture for the test then re-adjust it. Most Porsche shops will do this for you if you can;t do it yourself. Also, don't worry about them noticing that you don't have a Cat, there is so much plumbing under there they can't tell. Most of the guys who work there are ex-jiffy lube guys anyhow. I had to fight with them not to put my Audi A4 Quattro on the two wheel roller. They didn't think it would be a problem with the AllWheel drive!?

Noel

 

I live in VA. and go through the emissions thing every two years. My 79SC always passes with flying colors, but they look for the CAT., and air pump. I always put these on at inspection time and take them off right after,its an easy bolt-on. If you do not have the parts, look on e-bay or Rennlist. There are always pumps and Cats for sale. 25 years is the magic number in VA., where they no longer require testing. Unfortunately they do a visual check when they inspect the car yearly so that it all has to be there, not necessarily working though.Your '78 should not have a lot of emissions stuff that could not be scrounged up and reinstalled.

 

first, find out if your state requires a visual inspection. if they don't, and the engine is in good condition, just have a shop set the mixture to pass.

 

Why not just take the test and see if it passes? Most states allow you to re-test at no charge if it fails, and you may not fail. If you do, you will find out what you need to pass. BTW, my '80 SC passed with no problems.

 

I'm assuming that the "Philly" is in PA. I too am "cat-less", and in the 2 brief years I have owned my SC have yet to drive over 5000 miles a year, so in PA, am issued an exempt sticker. My guess is you should be okay. The REAL challenge will be when you exceed that 5K number. I've been told that most inspection stations are unfamiliar with 911's, so chances are that they may not realize that the cat is missing. Should you exceed the 5K limit and manage to pass, I eagerly await to hear how you did it - 5000 miles a year in these cars is NOWHERE near enough!! And just in case you're new to PA - you pay for the inspection regardless of pass or fail.

 

I lived in western PA until about a year ago, with a '77S. I got a 'Classic' tag for the car, and it had several advantages: it was a permanent registration, so no yearly fees, exemption for emissions, and no restriction on mileage or time of day driving.

Also, my insurance rates were about half the rate with a regular tag. They 'had' mileage guidelines, but was never checked.

If you can live with purple lettering on the tag, go for it. These tags are for cars 15 years and older. I think antique plates restrict driving to daylight hours.