c3 Federal Vs. California Car
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
c3 Federal Vs. California Car
Hi C3 vette owners,
I have been stuck with a difficult issue of PASSING CA SMOG and my 76' does not have any original smog components!
After reading a number of threads it appears I have a few options:
1. Find original smog parts and put it together as the factory did.
2. Change plates to historical / showcar to be exempt
3. Do an LS1 engine swap with newer smog components from donor car
One questions that has not been figured out is how do you know if your car is a Federal vs. California car? I don't have any emission stickers on the car and no engine vin#. Can you find out from the vehicle vin if it is Federal and if it is what are the smog requirements for the federal vette in California
Thanks for the input.
I have been stuck with a difficult issue of PASSING CA SMOG and my 76' does not have any original smog components!
After reading a number of threads it appears I have a few options:
1. Find original smog parts and put it together as the factory did.
2. Change plates to historical / showcar to be exempt
3. Do an LS1 engine swap with newer smog components from donor car
One questions that has not been figured out is how do you know if your car is a Federal vs. California car? I don't have any emission stickers on the car and no engine vin#. Can you find out from the vehicle vin if it is Federal and if it is what are the smog requirements for the federal vette in California
Thanks for the input.
#2
The engine code for Calif would be CLR on the passenger side engine pad. The VIN will only tell you whether it is base engine or L82. L82 was not sold in Calif.
Last edited by MelWff; 08-26-2014 at 04:27 PM.
#3
Le Mans Master
Not sure you can get historical plates on CA. Usually only see them on Model A type of cars.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d03/vc5004.htm
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d03/vc5004.htm
#4
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2000
Location: Southbound
Posts: 38,928
Likes: 0
Received 1,469 Likes
on
1,248 Posts
Cruise-In II Veteran
#5
Intermediate
Kind of a gray area
Given your situation I believe the inspection required would be determined by the following: has it been inspected previously in California, what does the emissions label by the master cylinder indicate, what emission components are still visible for identification.
I don't believe there is any factory paper trail still existing indicating whether a car was Federal or CA certified.
I believe my 77 Vette was CA certified, but I have nothing to prove that. Since I don't plan on ever living in CA I took the simple route and bought a Federal emissions decal and plan on installing the emission components needed to match the decal.
It has an L48 with the 350 automatic.
I don't believe there is any factory paper trail still existing indicating whether a car was Federal or CA certified.
I believe my 77 Vette was CA certified, but I have nothing to prove that. Since I don't plan on ever living in CA I took the simple route and bought a Federal emissions decal and plan on installing the emission components needed to match the decal.
It has an L48 with the 350 automatic.
Last edited by Uintah; 08-26-2014 at 10:37 PM.
#6
Instructor
You may want to read this, Chevy engine code information
You might be able to piece together the info your looking for.
http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php
You might be able to piece together the info your looking for.
http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php
#7
Burning Brakes
Hers some info from the motor manual(smog manual) for 76 vette regarding smog equipment.
The federal cars only had air injection on L-82 and high altitude models while the cali cars all had air injection, other than that no difference as far as the smog program is concerned all had evap canister, catalytic converter, EGR, PCV and thermostatic air cleaner.
A federal car does not need the cali parts to pass smog in cali but a cali car does. My advise is to find all the parts needed and to keep in mind you may also need to pass tha fuel/evap system pressure test.
BTW, no way to get a smog exemption in cali that Im aware of.
The federal cars only had air injection on L-82 and high altitude models while the cali cars all had air injection, other than that no difference as far as the smog program is concerned all had evap canister, catalytic converter, EGR, PCV and thermostatic air cleaner.
A federal car does not need the cali parts to pass smog in cali but a cali car does. My advise is to find all the parts needed and to keep in mind you may also need to pass tha fuel/evap system pressure test.
BTW, no way to get a smog exemption in cali that Im aware of.
#8
Instructor
Thread Starter
Hers some info from the motor manual(smog manual) for 76 vette regarding smog equipment.
The federal cars only had air injection on L-82 and high altitude models while the cali cars all had air injection, other than that no difference as far as the smog program is concerned all had evap canister, catalytic converter, EGR, PCV and thermostatic air cleaner.
A federal car does not need the cali parts to pass smog in cali but a cali car does. My advise is to find all the parts needed and to keep in mind you may also need to pass tha fuel/evap system pressure test.
BTW, no way to get a smog exemption in cali that Im aware of.
The federal cars only had air injection on L-82 and high altitude models while the cali cars all had air injection, other than that no difference as far as the smog program is concerned all had evap canister, catalytic converter, EGR, PCV and thermostatic air cleaner.
A federal car does not need the cali parts to pass smog in cali but a cali car does. My advise is to find all the parts needed and to keep in mind you may also need to pass tha fuel/evap system pressure test.
BTW, no way to get a smog exemption in cali that Im aware of.
Ok sounds good. the 76 I have was previously SMOG in CA, but no equipment exists on the car now nor emissions labels. It is an L48 so it will need the A.I.R. system.
The real question I have here is what performance parts are really available to upgrade HP from the base L48 if all the old SMOG components are used? It would seem that even a new engine would not be beneficial as the components would constrict any performance added.
#9
Drifting
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Forth Worth TX
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 0
Received 148 Likes
on
136 Posts
You may just want to go buy a 1975 or earlier. No SMOG required.
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm
Does my vehicle qualify for a smog exemption? Smog inspections are required unless your vehicle is: •Gasoline powered 1975 year model or older .
When a car is sold, who is responsible for the inspection?
The seller is required to provide the buyer with a valid smog inspection certification at the time of the sale or transfer. Smog certifications are good for 90 days from the date of issuance.
The inspection is not required on a transfer if a biennial smog certification was submitted to DMV within 90 days prior to the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).
NOTE: Smog certifications are not required for transfers that occur for a gasoline powered motor vehicle that is four or less model years old. (Determine the oldest-qualifying year model by subtracting three from the current year) the four or less model years old rule does not apply to diesel powered vehicles. A smog transfer fee will be collected from the new owner.
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm
Does my vehicle qualify for a smog exemption? Smog inspections are required unless your vehicle is: •Gasoline powered 1975 year model or older .
When a car is sold, who is responsible for the inspection?
The seller is required to provide the buyer with a valid smog inspection certification at the time of the sale or transfer. Smog certifications are good for 90 days from the date of issuance.
The inspection is not required on a transfer if a biennial smog certification was submitted to DMV within 90 days prior to the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).
NOTE: Smog certifications are not required for transfers that occur for a gasoline powered motor vehicle that is four or less model years old. (Determine the oldest-qualifying year model by subtracting three from the current year) the four or less model years old rule does not apply to diesel powered vehicles. A smog transfer fee will be collected from the new owner.
#10
Burning Brakes
Ok sounds good. the 76 I have was previously SMOG in CA, but no equipment exists on the car now nor emissions labels. It is an L48 so it will need the A.I.R. system.
The real question I have here is what performance parts are really available to upgrade HP from the base L48 if all the old SMOG components are used? It would seem that even a new engine would not be beneficial as the components would constrict any performance added.
The real question I have here is what performance parts are really available to upgrade HP from the base L48 if all the old SMOG components are used? It would seem that even a new engine would not be beneficial as the components would constrict any performance added.