CA Emission ???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 875
Likes: 1
CA Emission ???
Is it true that only the C4 vettes sold in CA were what's known as
50 state cars ? and are the only ones that can pass the CA
emission test and be registered by CA DMV.
Whereas all the cars sold in other states were 49 state cars
and were all made to be sold in the other 49 states ? and not
in CA..
50 state cars ? and are the only ones that can pass the CA
emission test and be registered by CA DMV.
Whereas all the cars sold in other states were 49 state cars
and were all made to be sold in the other 49 states ? and not
in CA..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: MidOhio
I don't know for sure but I doubt it. A CA car in '89 had to be certified to CA's levels but one guy told me there was no difference other than the factory might have had to "tweak" some of the emission control hardware to meet the requirements. Back in '80, the only V8 engine GM had certified that would meet CA req'mts was the LG4, 305 cu. in., so 'vettes sold in CA got it. All others got the 350. After the engineers got better at managing the engine controls and the changing req'mnts settled down, all 'vettes got the same size engines. 
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: Antioch California
Originally Posted by stax68
Is it true that only the C4 vettes sold in CA were what's known as
50 state cars ? and are the only ones that can pass the CA
emission test and be registered by CA DMV.
Whereas all the cars sold in other states were 49 state cars
and were all made to be sold in the other 49 states ? and not
in CA..
50 state cars ? and are the only ones that can pass the CA
emission test and be registered by CA DMV.
Whereas all the cars sold in other states were 49 state cars
and were all made to be sold in the other 49 states ? and not
in CA..
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 875
Likes: 1
Yes..this is true. Anyone have any idea what percent of cars
were 50 state cars that were sold in other states for the C4
generation.
Also exactly where is the tag and what does it say....so you
know that it's a 50 state car.
were 50 state cars that were sold in other states for the C4
generation.
Also exactly where is the tag and what does it say....so you
know that it's a 50 state car.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,066
Likes: 3
From: Milpitas ca
Originally Posted by stax68
Yes..this is true. Anyone have any idea what percent of cars
were 50 state cars that were sold in other states for the C4
generation.
Also exactly where is the tag and what does it say....so you
know that it's a 50 state car.
were 50 state cars that were sold in other states for the C4
generation.
Also exactly where is the tag and what does it say....so you
know that it's a 50 state car.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,066
Likes: 3
From: Milpitas ca
Originally Posted by stax68
Yes..this is true. Anyone have any idea what percent of cars
were 50 state cars that were sold in other states for the C4
generation.
were 50 state cars that were sold in other states for the C4
generation.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,066
Likes: 3
From: Milpitas ca
Originally Posted by stax68
Been looking at years 1991-1996
I thought tag was under the hood but I could be wrong...
I thought tag was under the hood but I could be wrong...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by stax68
Been looking at years 1991-1996
I thought tag was under the hood but I could be wrong...
I thought tag was under the hood but I could be wrong...
Will a 50 states car pass in CA, with flying colors.
My 74 Corvette coupe was out of Washington State with headers, no smog pump, and blew cleaner than a California car.
It passed in Oregon, Washington, and California.
Pre 1986 American cars are the hardest to get to pass.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
There were no differences and haven't been in the last 25 Years. CA cars required an emissions check on the line and that set you back $100or so on the Sticker. This folklore has been around for too long - get over it. Realize that things that live in the dry Southwest have one plus - no road salt to eat things up. Unfortunately, there's plenty of hot sun that does wonders on leather, vinyl and paint.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Bend OR
Originally Posted by stax68
Is it true that only the C4 vettes sold in CA were what's known as
50 state cars ? and are the only ones that can pass the CA
emission test and be registered by CA DMV.
Whereas all the cars sold in other states were 49 state cars
and were all made to be sold in the other 49 states ? and not
in CA..
50 state cars ? and are the only ones that can pass the CA
emission test and be registered by CA DMV.
Whereas all the cars sold in other states were 49 state cars
and were all made to be sold in the other 49 states ? and not
in CA..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Registration and Smog Equipment are two different things. Some of CA's "Out of State" Registration Regs were thrown out by the Supreme Court in 2002 - 2003 (?) as a restraint against free trade - Woolsey v. CA (or something like that). Partcularly the issue involving the payment of a smog impact fee (which was being charged to those who brought in new from out of State). Those that applied for the refund were given one and at least that part of the Law no longer exists. I would imagine that if the State is still trying to enforce the rule that you've cited it could be easily challenged on the same merits - I don't know - I'm not effected. The original question, is there any mechanical difference between a CA vehicle and one sold somewhere else - no - and there hasn't been for eons but the stories persist.