Ather

Hi All,
I have been considering getting back into the 928 ownership ring for a while now but after test driving some AMGs and M5s the definite and all too known power gap is evident. The look of a 928 is all too alluring and hard to pass up.

I've read on a few posts that supercharged 928s cannot pass CA smog and was wondering what the limitation is and what it would take to get it smog legal. I've seen plenty of custom supercharged 80's and 90'sMustangs and Vettes that are running here in CA so there has to be a way.

Has anyone looked into it or can someone shed some light on what it would take? Is it just installing a newer, more efficient Cat Converter? (excuse my lack of tech knowledge)

Thanks,
Ather

bronto

Removing the supercharger

Actually, technically, you would need a CARB approved supercharger I think. But I don't think any of the 928 kits are CARB approved. A local 968 owner here in Santa Barbara has one on his, so I know it's doable, but I don't know the details.

James Bailey

It would require an act of GOD ! There are so many things which make the current blowers none compliant that it is impossible at this point in time. Biggest hurdle IS no CARB numbers which is a very expensive certification to get approved thousands and thousands of dollars can easily be spent.

neilh

^^^^ a change in CA government !
If you install it after a smog test and remove before the next, and don't get caught by the cops, you may be ok. A San Diego cop I know well said they will nail you for it if you get stopped !

kelanel

Pretty much the above or "know a guy". Theres been talks by our newest boost merchant(victor25) to get his kit carb approved here, but it will require plenty of cash and passing a bunch of hurdles to get to that stage.

That said, his kit in my opinion is by far the easiest to remove and put back once setup, for smogging. The charger is on a single plate held in by 3 timing cover bolts and shares a belt with the alternator. Only an hour or so of work vs up to 8 for other kits. Load up a fuel/timing map for NA with the 36lb injectors in his kit, head to smog station, pass, and put everything back.

EDIT: Apparently I can't seem to spell today.

hacker-pschorr

I've taken my Murf928 supercharged 81 from boosted to N/A in well under an hour. That's with a oil fed supercharger. The current kits with a self contained lubrication are even easier.

The time consuming parts to install, like injectors, intercooler plumbing / pump, pulleys etc... all stay on. Nobody is going to see them anyway.

James Bailey

They actually do open the hood look at the smog pump, hoses and lines while most are not 928 experts they look for none factory looking stuff, Homedepot parts etc. Any loose hoses catch their attention and of course it CAN NOT have headers......or a none CARB compliant aftermarket cat converter....

IcemanG17

to be on the "up & up" in the republic of Kalifornia smog laws in major population centers is impossible.....IF you own a residence in a "clean air" county then you could remove it...get it passed and your good forever as long as you own it..... However all of the clean air county's are rare and far away from population centers....

The only performance upgrade that "smog" ****'s can't see is a stroker.....taking a 5.0L S4 up to 6.4L is a SERIOUS boost in performance......but it comes at a much higher price than a supercharger....

Ather

Okay so if I understand correctly (and probably not), there is no CARB approved kit rignt now and adding an unapproved kit and taking it off for smog will still not work because they do a visual under the hood for loose pulleys.
But, once there is a CARB approved kit which a couple of folks are working on, we should be good to go. Hope that sounds right...

IcemanG17

Ather
yes you could install the kit and remove it every other year and still pass.....you are correct no current kit is CARB approved

James Bailey

Working on CARB approval and getting it are two very different things...... I would not hold my breath waiting on it to get done

dr bob

Carb approval requires testing and certification on each variant for which it will be certified. So at least one each for each model year. That's a LOT of testing and a LOT of certifications. I'm not sure the Cali market is big enough to support all the costs.

Might be easier to stuff a couple small turbos down behind the motor mounts, and hide the intake plumbing under a dummy aircleaner housing. Appearance is everything.

Randy V

This.

It will never pass visual inspection in Californication.

All the SC guys in Cali remove it for the smog check.

Speedtoys

IMHO, its _easy_ to get done, however, getting enough comittment from an extremely small user base willing to make it workable for the person selling the kit...is hard.

Big Picture, it's not a lot of $....but you need to make that back, and selling 4 more units aint gonna do it.

SanDiego928

12 miles east of me is a NO SMOG REQUIRED area. I think I may move there, then may SC.