Has anyone run into problems with smog checks and modified engines in their early-model 930s? I figure since they never had cats to begin with, you could probably get away with more HP mods on the earlier 930s than, say, an '86 or newer turbo. Opinions? I live in AZ where even the '79 & earlier 930s still have to get sniffed , so I'm wondering if I would be better off purchasing one of these pre-cat 930s.

 

930wannabee- I live in MA and 1984 is the first year the state checks for emissions, so anything newer is subject to testing. I've owned an 86 for 4 years and have been check twice now (every other year). passed both times...

but now I did cams, headers, K27, and such so I won't pass next time, but the wrench will get me the sticker anyway... don't ask, don't tell is the word.

 

I realize this doesn't help but I bought a 79 specifically because Texas doesn't test cars 24 years and older.

 

There is no difference. Reason is when you modify to the extent most do, the exhaust system needs to be changed to at least the 86 on system (less the catalytic converter) anyway to grasp the majority of the gains you get from doing the mods. Some even dump the factory exhaust systems altogether. Outside of that, there isnt much left for emissions equipment other than an air pump and a EGR valve. Depending on how well you have your 930 modded motor tuned, I seen numerous posts saying that they pass smog via the sniffer. It would seem to me that the visual is left for debate due largely to most smog techs not knowing what they are looking at under the car (exhaust system) unless they see headers or some polished after market deal. I've read many times that most of the EFI modded motors actually burn cleaner than the CIS motors. This is actually 50% of the reason I'm having my 930 done now. I live in California and the cars here have to be tested for smog on a dyno with a load on the motor. My car has basic mods (SC cams, ported heads, stock 89 OEM exhaust system and a K27 turbo) and it barely passes but not without a cat and the motor really detuned ( CO mixture and ignition timing) so to speak. Even at that it limps to the smog station when its detuned and runs pretty warm too.

 

Here in my neck of the woods of NC (where them cooters live), 2005 was the final year for the dreaded "tail pipe sniffer/test". Unless the inspection station can connect to an OBD compuer and check for codes, you only have to submit to a safety inspection. This is good for me, because for the short while that I was actually terrorizing the roads of NC in my 930, I never bothered to get my car inspected. And it won't be back on the road again until Feb/March of 2006. So maybe I'm golden...provided my car is "safe" which , with my luck, I'll fail the freaking inspection! HAHAHA!

 

My '79 930 passes the Illinois tests, but it is a real chuckle watching them trying to get an RPM read by putting the sensor on the front of the car.....

 

You guys are lucky! If California was that way..........

 

Chet....out of curiosity, as an '86 is a grey market...what emissions stuff do they need? I am thinking about buying an '86 and am concerned about passing emissions.

 

My 85.5 930 is German spec and I was able to obtain an emissions waiver from my state after proving the car came that way. This was easy as I emailed them my NHTSA "federalized" form and I was emailed back a PDF waiver I printed out nad gave the emissions guy, allowing him to only test the gas cap and hydrocarbons @ idle...


E-man930

 

As far as I know, 86 930's were not grey in the US.

 

LA964RS
not all '1986' 911 Turbos were 1985 gray markets... mine is officially the first year back into USA, legally, emissions-wise. it came with the air pump, the decel valve, catalyst, etc., etc... and had no problem passing MA standards. I removed the air pump plumbing, and it passed on my last test, too.

afterward, when the '05 sticker was firmly on the window... I removed the converter to replace with a by-pass and install the K27-7200 only to find that the cat had nothing but loose rocks left inside where a working honey-comb structure should have been. but, it passed even with a junk cat.

so, I'm not sure "chemically" what's required in equipment to actually pass. visually, I doubt a tech could have noticed no air pump nor cat without dropping the bumper to get a good look at what's up inside.

now... I take the wrench's word about 'not to worry' about how the sticker will get on my window...

 

As mentioned above, 86 is the first 930 to be legally sold in the US after a 5 year absence. Unless the smog equipment was removed (or it truly is a "Non Catalyst" version), it should have a Catalytic converter and an oxygen sensor. I could see the cat being removed but not the oxygen sensor. If not then the best thing to do is to go to the local smog shop where you live and ask the tech to give you a list of what they will be looking for. For a 86 930, it should be Cat, air pump with all the hardware and oxygen sensor. There is no EGR required since the oxygen sensor system replaced the need for one. Outside of that just make sure the CO and Ignition timing are correct and you should be fine....even in California! Chances are that even without the Cat your car will pass as long as its tuned correctly. The 930's with the oxygen sensors burn pretty clean for testing.

 

Its a Ruf w/Ruf serial #...12 plug and all that. I heard there can be probs getting it smoged in CA.

 

I know a gentleman who lives here in town that has an exact car as you do and its legal to my knowledge. In fact, its the RUF car thats on the thread here about painted center reflectors.

 

chet...

Do you know how to get a hold of this guy? I'd like to ask him a few things about his car and reg, etc.

Thanks,
Robert@fuel-international.com