atb

Got a call from an owner, who imported an '85 Euro in '86. Has all the federalization paperwork.

The problem is, he moved to Nevada for several years, and has just recently moved backed to California (Sacramento).

CARB gave him a laundry list of items that he needs to do in order to get the car smogged. I know how sketchy a lot of those certs were in the '80's, so although his paper work says he had everything properly installed, I don't know if that is true.

Any knowledgeable 928 owners in the area that can take a look and see if he has 1) cats, 2) O2 sensor, 3) properly plumbed air pump. He said there was a "Valentine" box hooked up at one time, but that it isn't hooked up any longer. When he called Valentine about it, he was told that Valentine's attorney said he couldn't talk about the box at all. Don't know if anyone has any info on what this mysterious box does?

Also, any shops up there that may be able to help?

Owner is enthusiastic, but not mechanically inclined.

Thanks.

James Bailey

I have seen add on oxygen sensor units that were used for "federalization" perhaps this was one of those...
And generally speaking it is nearly impossible to get that car cleared in California...... plus never trust what DMV employees tell you To pass it MUST have factory original cats.

PorKen

Might be easier to fit a 32V LH with transplanted 16V maps to run the O2 sensor?

IIRC, John Speake has done this before for someone?

77tony

Montana LLC ? No inspections of any kind. PM sent. T

GregBBRD

There's good information already here.

These cars can be made to pass smog in California....but they do need a factory cat in perfect condition, with an O2 sensor fine tuning the mixture.

And the pieces on the engine need to be working correctly (MAF). And a set of more "modern" injectors with multiple hole spray patterns seems to really help clean them up in the lower rpm ranges (where California does their testing.)

Ken is correct. I've retrofitted several of these cars with the USA brains and added the O2 sensor. Seems to work way better than any of the "add on" O2 sensor brains that were common.

Optimator

If it was ever registered in California, it should have a BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair) tag in the driver side door jam. The tag will list the emission devices that were added to the car in order to register it in CA at that time. Even if the tag is gone, I imagine the records would still be in the CA DMV computer system. I have not tried bringing one back to CA myself, but I would think your friend should be able to simply visit a DMV office, register it, smog it, end of story.

outbackgeorgia

"Valentine" box is a Radar detector. Does not really enter this equation.
Dave

Richard S

I could probably put eyeballs on it and try to help out. Am I right in assuming he can't drive the car?

FWIW, my 84 Euro S engine came with a box from Neutronics. Basically it spliced into the LH and was a means of calibrating the O2 sensor signal into the LH. I removed it. Engine would pass Ca smog, but fail the visual part.....they don't like it when you install a later engine in an earlier car without their approval....

Rich

James Bailey

reading more it appears that there are some exemptions for gray cars owned and registered out of state for over one year when you move to California. As well as those gray market already registered in California. New gray purchases need a laboratory certificate of compliance plus meet all requirements and those tests are very expensive....said to cost thousands of dollars each time you attempt to pass.

Speedtoys

I know a TON of people that have updated engines, the requirements are simple:
Engine changes are legal as long as the following requirements are met to ensure that the change does not increase pollution from the vehicle:

1. [*]
2. [*]
3. [*]
4. [*]

Vehicles converted to 100% electric drive, with all power supplied by on-board batteries are considered in compliance with the engine change requirements. All fuel system components must be removed prior to inspection. For additional information contact the ARB helpline at (800) 242-4450

After an engine change, vehicles must first be inspected by a state referee station. The vehicle will be inspected to ensure that all the equipment required is in place, and vehicle will be emissions tested subject to the specifications of the installed engine.
--------

In other words, just keep it all as a one single swap with all the smog stuff on the original engine, and have really good records by part number of the smog stuff the engine had before, that you installed, with photos of where it is to make the inspection job simpler.

atb

If the euro LH didn't come stock with an O2 sensor, then that explains the Valentine box.

I've already asked if he would be willing to drive to Anaheim (GB) to have the car looked over, but he said it's too far (he's an older guy). Sounds like fitting the U.S. LH is the answer.

He had the car tested, it wasn't even close on emissions, and there were several things he needed to add. A lambda sensor was one of them.

Wisconsin Joe

Same guy. Different product.

Bimmer Forum discussion on it:

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...ons-Compliance

atb

That's the one. Mike Valentine personally returned the call and told the owner that his attorneys advised him not to discuss the box. Guess he doesn't qualify as a licensed emissions repair tech.

James Bailey

back in the 1980s a number of "labs" were busted and people went to jail as well as huge fines...for phony emissions tests results , stating that gas engine cars were diesels , fraud etc. etc. Which is why California opted not to believe any of the old paperwork from anyone and requires the full test procedure unless the car is ALREADY registered in California.

tv

Some VOODOO in this thread see this post and one on the next page for links on the facts of euro brains -- https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ml#post7960984