CA Registration
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
CA Registration
How do I get an '85 Vette registered in CA with modifications (cam, headers, no cat, etc....) . They want all cars 1975 or newer tested and if you fail smog, you can't register or license it.
I have it registered in the midwest now with no problems. How do all of the Edelbrock and performance guys in CA get vehicles registered?????
Help
I have it registered in the midwest now with no problems. How do all of the Edelbrock and performance guys in CA get vehicles registered?????
Help
Pro
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
From: Nashua NH
I'm not overly familiar with CA emission testing, but I'm pretty sure that all mods need to have a CARB number and accompanying sticker affixed underhood...as far as the gutted/missing cat...fuggedaboudit!!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 163
From: Davis CA
I have a couple suggestions.
First, can you leave it registered where you are? Unless it is your daily driver, you might never get caught. You might not even get caught if it is.
Second, make an inquiry to the list about a specific region of CA. It is a very big state. If you are in the Sacramento area, let me know. There are stations that are more focused on the numbers and getting you passed. Actually, I doubt that most would notice anything wrong at this point as it is a fairly old car. Just say it came with headers.
All this assumes that your car runs clean. Many do that do not pass visual inspection. If you are clean, that is all I and several stations care about.
First, can you leave it registered where you are? Unless it is your daily driver, you might never get caught. You might not even get caught if it is.
Second, make an inquiry to the list about a specific region of CA. It is a very big state. If you are in the Sacramento area, let me know. There are stations that are more focused on the numbers and getting you passed. Actually, I doubt that most would notice anything wrong at this point as it is a fairly old car. Just say it came with headers.
All this assumes that your car runs clean. Many do that do not pass visual inspection. If you are clean, that is all I and several stations care about.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
I have a couple suggestions.
First, can you leave it registered where you are? Unless it is your daily driver, you might never get caught. You might not even get caught if it is.
Second, make an inquiry to the list about a specific region of CA. It is a very big state. If you are in the Sacramento area, let me know. There are stations that are more focused on the numbers and getting you passed. Actually, I doubt that most would notice anything wrong at this point as it is a fairly old car. Just say it came with headers.
All this assumes that your car runs clean. Many do that do not pass visual inspection. If you are clean, that is all I and several stations care about.
First, can you leave it registered where you are? Unless it is your daily driver, you might never get caught. You might not even get caught if it is.
Second, make an inquiry to the list about a specific region of CA. It is a very big state. If you are in the Sacramento area, let me know. There are stations that are more focused on the numbers and getting you passed. Actually, I doubt that most would notice anything wrong at this point as it is a fairly old car. Just say it came with headers.
All this assumes that your car runs clean. Many do that do not pass visual inspection. If you are clean, that is all I and several stations care about.
SMOG laws should be changed. If you pass the snifer, you are clean. Who cares if you have headers, NOS and others.3 years ago the knucklehead at the SMOG station failed me because the saw the AIR pump hose with an air filter ( I have a Vortex Rammer). I asked him if I passed the sniffer and he said yes. I explained to him what that was and why it has a filter.
"AHHHH", he said and I passed but, it is in my carfax as a failure.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
It wont pass with longtubes unless you have an EO# which there isnt any for a C4. Youll need a cat on there. Cam may pass, just make sure its tuned real good. They arent THAT hard on tailpipe, its the visual they are strict on . If you are coming from another state youll need yours done at a Test Only station: no paying anyone off that way unfortunately.
Do you have the smog rails on your headers?
You MAY be able to take it to a state referee who may inspect and pass it if you do..
Do you have the smog rails on your headers?
You MAY be able to take it to a state referee who may inspect and pass it if you do..
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
This will help you find a number for you to produce a tag for your car 
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermk...es/amquery.php
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermk...es/amquery.php
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
How do I get an '85 Vette registered in CA with modifications (cam, headers, no cat, etc....) . They want all cars 1975 or newer tested and if you fail smog, you can't register or license it.
I have it registered in the midwest now with no problems. How do all of the Edelbrock and performance guys in CA get vehicles registered?????
Help
I have it registered in the midwest now with no problems. How do all of the Edelbrock and performance guys in CA get vehicles registered?????
Help