dr bob

All that said...

At each of my Cali smog inspections, including the first one when my car was returned to California when I purchased it, the inspector never did more than glance underneath and see the belly pans. Each asked if the cats were in place. I had to point out the air pump and hoses to each so they could check them off on the sheet. One asked about EGR, and I had no trouble showing him that EGR is not a feature on the S4. All but one has determined that the timing isn't adjustable therefore no need to check it. I work diligently to keep the engine bay looking clean and original, and I believe it pays off.

I'm sure I can easily install an X-pipe and aftermarket cats and never get a peep out of the inspectors, so long as there is no obvious non-factory workmanship involved. I also suspect that I could install a DR SC setup, and make a factory-looking cover for the whole center of the engine and never get a second look. Kind of like the AMG Kompressor engine covers that come on the MB cars, but with a Porsche name and maybe a logo cast into the plastic. So long as all the parts look factory, no problems. That also means none of the polished, fancy, shiny, show-off !bling! bits under the hood. Pulley painted (not anodized) black. No chrome or polished hardware either. Keep it subtle and no problems.

Tampa 928s

Do you ever wonder that this is a way to get revenue, we used to have the testing in Florida. You bought a car new 6-months later you need to pay for your new sticker, wait in line and get it tested "Stupid Right". Car's that were older or owners that were having money issues were exempt. After Gov Bush stopped it we found out the there was one owner of all the testong stations as was a hugh doner to to the previous governer "go figure".. As a per mile driven custom cars don't even come close, maybe we should have Al Gore's jet tested just to be fair!

Ketchmi

We have sold a lot of crossovers to California customers, someone must know a way to get them allowed. If they are only doing a sniffer test and a visual that is just checking that the cats are there, ours will pass with flying colors. If they follow the rule book by the letter there would be no aftermarket business in California.
A disclaimer is included in our installation instructions that specifies our crossover is intended for off road use only and I'm sure that no-one is using them on the highway...

largecar379

THERE'S THE TRICK----

"sold for off road use only"

these days....it almost pertains to everything other than original equipment, even if it was offered on a later model year 928/what ever......

--Russ

ErnestSw

It appears that 928 Specialists is not delivering any of their advertised developments. Has anyone gotten any sway bars, SC kits, X pipes, blackbirds, etc. within the last 6 months?
I hope they're ok.

fraggle

Nice to see they're spending all that money investigating "criminals." I wonder if they spent more than they'd make back. Nothing but a government money scheme, it has nothing to do with protecting the public!

dr bob

That would be very true unless you happened to be a victim of theft. Beyond the fraud that these folks perpetrate on the poor citizens of the great and socialist republik of California, somepace there's likely a car that's not with its rightful owner. Maybe that original has gone on to car heaven, maybe not.

Cali has a method for registering special construction vehicles, and this includes the Coddington "Fords" and "Chevies", plus the Jesse James scooters and all the other one-off's that are generated by residents. The only catch is that there is a limit of 500 of them per year. On the first business day of the new year, owners line up in the wee hours of the morning at DMV offices all over the state, and hope to get their paperwork process before 500 others. Miss out on that process, and wait another year for the next batch of opportunities. So there is a legal method, it just turns into a sleep-over at the DMV and some luck with how quickly you get in and get your process started. Is it fair? Umhh, sure. But you can see how "resurrecting" ancient junk titles in other states has a certain appeal for those who don't care to participate in the legal title process. Plus the ancient vehicle standards apply to your new 'rod or bike too, so fender, bumper, and lighting requirements are a lot less stringent. Lights-- who needs 'em anyway?

ibkevin

Andy, why not just add a pair of CARB high performance cats to the install?

Chuck Schreiber

Just another Reason why I live in the great state of TEXAS!!!!

Ketchmi

The cats have to be CARB exempt for the specific application, not just a catch-all. Not worth it money wise to get CARB exemption for our cars, not enough sales to justify it.

Mongo

I am. When I go for an X-pipe, I am going to use Magnaflow cats on it. I passed smog with flying colors with the same catalytic convertor on my 944.

Ketchmi

Magnaflow cats (400cpi ceramic brick) lost approx. 14 hp on the dyno in my testing. Random Technologies (300cpi spiral wound metal matrix) lost 7 to 8 hp. I had some made for our crossover that only lost 1 to 2 hp (100cpi spiral wound metal matrix) and pass emissions with flying colors if the car is capable of running in closed loop operation.

Mongo

Is emissions in Utah tougher than California? I've never heard of cars passing with 100 cell cats before.... not even Ferraris with Hyperflow cats (which are also 100 cells). I could be wrong.

Ketchmi

Every car we have put them on has passed, the vehicle has to be in good running condition though. If it has problems, no cat is going to clean it up enough.

Mongo

Ketchmi, since I live in CA, I am concerned also with the fact that the cats on a 928 have an air inlet/outlet that directs exhaust to the smog pump for exhaust gas recirculation. Will a smog shop reject my car if it sees this air inlet is not on the catalytic convertor?