1978 L48 CA Smog Question
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
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1978 L48 CA Smog Question
Hi I am currently looking into a 1978 with a L48 engine. I will be moving to California so I'm a little weary of their smog laws.
The car has the stock exhaust, EGR valve and Catalytic Converter, but it is from the east coast so it never had the air pump. Will it be able to pass smog? Will I need to have an air pump installed?
Thanks for your help!
The car has the stock exhaust, EGR valve and Catalytic Converter, but it is from the east coast so it never had the air pump. Will it be able to pass smog? Will I need to have an air pump installed?
Thanks for your help!
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
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Not currently because Im deployed overseas, I do know to be exempt it has to be 1975 or older. Ive been navigating their website for amplified information but haven't found a concrete answer yet. So i was looking to see if anyone had any personal experience with the requirements. Im going to send them an email if I cant find any answers myself.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Hi I am currently looking into a 1978 with a L48 engine. I will be moving to California so I'm a little weary of their smog laws.
The car has the stock exhaust, EGR valve and Catalytic Converter, but it is from the east coast so it never had the air pump. Will it be able to pass smog? Will I need to have an air pump installed?
Thanks for your help!
The car has the stock exhaust, EGR valve and Catalytic Converter, but it is from the east coast so it never had the air pump. Will it be able to pass smog? Will I need to have an air pump installed?
Thanks for your help!
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3
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According to this Corvette Restoration Guide (Page 215) Only the L82 with the NB2 (Californian emissions) option had the AIR system.
Restoration Guide Link:
http://books.google.com.bh/books?id=...system&f=false
Restoration Guide Link:
http://books.google.com.bh/books?id=...system&f=false
Team Owner
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From: Northridge California
St. Jude Donor '14
Le Mans Master
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From: Palmdale CA
Welcome to the Communist state of California!
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: San Jose CA
Where are you moving to in CA?
At any rate - 78 federal cars had no AIR pump, California cars did but they'll smog your car as a federal car assuming you have a federal label (driver's side of car, near corner of firewall and fender).
As far as emissions equipment goes, you'll have EFE (heat riser), EGR, PCV, EVAP, exhaust catalyst and a few others.
It shouldn't be a big deal as long as everything's there and the car is in good tune.
Some smog shops might give you crap about the cat if it looks new-ish and doesn't have California E.O.s on it, but if it was installed before a certain year they can't really do anything about it AFAIK. (I'm not 100% up on that particular section of law, though)
At any rate - 78 federal cars had no AIR pump, California cars did but they'll smog your car as a federal car assuming you have a federal label (driver's side of car, near corner of firewall and fender).
As far as emissions equipment goes, you'll have EFE (heat riser), EGR, PCV, EVAP, exhaust catalyst and a few others.
It shouldn't be a big deal as long as everything's there and the car is in good tune.
Some smog shops might give you crap about the cat if it looks new-ish and doesn't have California E.O.s on it, but if it was installed before a certain year they can't really do anything about it AFAIK. (I'm not 100% up on that particular section of law, though)
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
According to this Corvette Restoration Guide (Page 215) Only the L82 with the NB2 (Californian emissions) option had the AIR system.
Restoration Guide Link:
http://books.google.com.bh/books?id=...system&f=false
Restoration Guide Link:
http://books.google.com.bh/books?id=...system&f=false
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Hi I am currently looking into a 1978 with a L48 engine. I will be moving to California so I'm a little weary of their smog laws.
The car has the stock exhaust, EGR valve and Catalytic Converter, but it is from the east coast so it never had the air pump. Will it be able to pass smog? Will I need to have an air pump installed?
The car has the stock exhaust, EGR valve and Catalytic Converter, but it is from the east coast so it never had the air pump. Will it be able to pass smog? Will I need to have an air pump installed?
According to this Corvette Restoration Guide (Page 215) Only the L82 with the NB2 (Californian emissions) option had the AIR system.
But the quote referenced above does not include the word only. It states L82, NB2 option had the AIR system...that's what is correct. It omits reference to L48 CA Corvettes. The L48 called out NB2 and therefore equipped with AIR.
