Ron's 914 Smog Check, Yeah I PASSED Options

[Ron914]

Congrats Ron and great seeing you and Suzy today.

We enjoyed seeing you two also , I should have my car at the next event in February .

[_stickykitty79_]

out of curiosity, i live in socal and am restoring a '74. the DMV site lists 75 and older exempt from smogs...

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-regis...og-inspections/

am i missing something? is yours a '76 i thought 76 had the accordion bumpers.

sorry if this sounds clueless


Edit: i just saw your other thread. its a 76, sorry!

[JamesM]

Curious what the target numbers for the specific emissions/gasses are in California for a 75-76 914 to pass?


After my 85 Vanagon failed for the 3rd time on its factory injection here in Utah I removed the factory Bosch injection and built my own Megasquirt system. Setup a tune based just on theory and passed the tailpipe sniffer on the first try. One of the things I found interesting is that while a catalytic converter is required here via visual inspection the gasses they test for don't require it to be working, so passing emissions was just a matter of hitting the proper AFRs, maintaining the correct idle speed, and having an ignition system that isnt misfiring.

Emissions targets are surprisingly easy to hit as long as all systems are working correctly and you have direct control and feedback on all the variables involved. The problem with 30, 40, 50+ year old injection systems is they are a bit of a black box when it comes to testing and adjustment.

My 73 2.0 was passing emissions testing here up until it stopped being a requirement about 10 years ago. As long as the engine wasn't misfiring, it idled no richer than 13.5:1 and at unloaded 3000 RPM was no richer than 12.8:1 it would pass.

Many look at passing emissions as a headache, but when one of my old cars fails I see it as an indicator that it isnt running correctly.

this is on cars with stock-ish induction plumbing anyways. Highly modified engines/induction setups sometimes don't like running at the AFRs necessary to pass emissions. A stock 3.2 Carrera motor for instance, with a stock AFM and O2 sensor, is setup to idle and cruise around 14.7:1 in order to hit emissions standards. Take that same 3.2 give it a hot cam and swap the stock shared plenum intake/injection for a set of ITBs and the motor will be pretty unhappy if you try to keep it at 14.7 idle.

[L-Jet914]

Curious what the target numbers for the specific emissions/gasses are in California for a 75-76 914 to pass?


After my 85 Vanagon failed for the 3rd time on its factory injection here in Utah I removed the factory Bosch injection and built my own Megasquirt system. Setup a tune based just on theory and passed the tailpipe sniffer on the first try. One of the things I found interesting is that while a catalytic converter is required here via visual inspection the gasses they test for don't require it to be working, so passing emissions was just a matter of hitting the proper AFRs, maintaining the correct idle speed, and having an ignition system that isnt misfiring.

Emissions targets are surprisingly easy to hit as long as all systems are working correctly and you have direct control and feedback on all the variables involved. The problem with 30, 40, 50+ year old injection systems is they are a bit of a black box when it comes to testing and adjustment.

My 73 2.0 was passing emissions testing here up until it stopped being a requirement about 10 years ago. As long as the engine wasn't misfiring, it idled no richer than 13.5:1 and at unloaded 3000 RPM was no richer than 12.8:1 it would pass.

Many look at passing emissions as a headache, but when one of my old cars fails I see it as an indicator that it isnt running correctly.

this is on cars with stock-ish induction plumbing anyways. Highly modified engines/induction setups sometimes don't like running at the AFRs necessary to pass emissions. A stock 3.2 Carrera motor for instance, with a stock AFM and O2 sensor, is setup to idle and cruise around 14.7:1 in order to hit emissions standards. Take that same 3.2 give it a hot cam and swap the stock shared plenum intake/injection for a set of ITBs and the motor will be pretty unhappy if you try to keep it at 14.7 idle.

Here are the pass fail standards for a 76 914 for the ASM 5015/2525 (dyno test) test here in CA. Unless the owner lives in another county they have the TSI(Two Speed Idle test which the engine is held a 2500rpm for a certain period of time and then idle for a certain period of time). I can supply those too. I don't know what UT does for emissions if they do a dyno test or just a two speed idle where they don't measure NOx because the vehicle is not under load.

[L-Jet914]

Congrats Ron on passing your smog inspection. I can't remember if I helped you with information regarding the smog inspection process/rules etc in your original post.

[wonkipop]

Curious what the target numbers for the specific emissions/gasses are in California for a 75-76 914 to pass?


After my 85 Vanagon failed for the 3rd time on its factory injection here in Utah I removed the factory Bosch injection and built my own Megasquirt system. Setup a tune based just on theory and passed the tailpipe sniffer on the first try. One of the things I found interesting is that while a catalytic converter is required here via visual inspection the gasses they test for don't require it to be working, so passing emissions was just a matter of hitting the proper AFRs, maintaining the correct idle speed, and having an ignition system that isnt misfiring.

Emissions targets are surprisingly easy to hit as long as all systems are working correctly and you have direct control and feedback on all the variables involved. The problem with 30, 40, 50+ year old injection systems is they are a bit of a black box when it comes to testing and adjustment.

My 73 2.0 was passing emissions testing here up until it stopped being a requirement about 10 years ago. As long as the engine wasn't misfiring, it idled no richer than 13.5:1 and at unloaded 3000 RPM was no richer than 12.8:1 it would pass.

Many look at passing emissions as a headache, but when one of my old cars fails I see it as an indicator that it isnt running correctly.

this is on cars with stock-ish induction plumbing anyways. Highly modified engines/induction setups sometimes don't like running at the AFRs necessary to pass emissions. A stock 3.2 Carrera motor for instance, with a stock AFM and O2 sensor, is setup to idle and cruise around 14.7:1 in order to hit emissions standards. Take that same 3.2 give it a hot cam and swap the stock shared plenum intake/injection for a set of ITBs and the motor will be pretty unhappy if you try to keep it at 14.7 idle.

Here are the pass fail standards for a 76 914 for the ASM 5015/2525 (dyno test) test here in CA. Unless the owner lives in another county they have the TSI(Two Speed Idle test which the engine is held a 2500rpm for a certain period of time and then idle for a certain period of time). I can supply those too. I don't know what UT does for emissions if they do a dyno test or just a two speed idle where they don't measure NOx because the vehicle is not under load.

ron's 76 is unusual @L-Jet914 .
its 49 state 76 2.0 with a prior registration record in california going back many years.
thats if i recall a thread topic ron posted some time back correctly.

here is his emissions sticker.



be interesting to know if he was tested to CARB standards for a 76 or whether they applied the lesser USEPA standards for 49 state car? his emissions sticker is saying C0 between 1 and 3% (2% +/- 1).

maybe ron can tell us when he looks here.

he did not need a CAT or an EGR if i remember right when it comes to a 76 2.0
49 state car - they only had an air pump.
which is kind of interesting because i think he mentioned in his other thread where he was refused a test that they could not see the timing mark due to the air pump being over the timing port. and it doesn't have a fan marking anyway? begs the question did the 76 2.0 not have timing marks on the fan because of the air pump.

[Jack Standz]

Curious what the target numbers for the specific emissions/gasses are in California for a 75-76 914 to pass?


After my 85 Vanagon failed for the 3rd time on its factory injection here in Utah I removed the factory Bosch injection and built my own Megasquirt system. Setup a tune based just on theory and passed the tailpipe sniffer on the first try. One of the things I found interesting is that while a catalytic converter is required here via visual inspection the gasses they test for don't require it to be working, so passing emissions was just a matter of hitting the proper AFRs, maintaining the correct idle speed, and having an ignition system that isnt misfiring.

Emissions targets are surprisingly easy to hit as long as all systems are working correctly and you have direct control and feedback on all the variables involved. The problem with 30, 40, 50+ year old injection systems is they are a bit of a black box when it comes to testing and adjustment.

My 73 2.0 was passing emissions testing here up until it stopped being a requirement about 10 years ago. As long as the engine wasn't misfiring, it idled no richer than 13.5:1 and at unloaded 3000 RPM was no richer than 12.8:1 it would pass.

Many look at passing emissions as a headache, but when one of my old cars fails I see it as an indicator that it isnt running correctly.

this is on cars with stock-ish induction plumbing anyways. Highly modified engines/induction setups sometimes don't like running at the AFRs necessary to pass emissions. A stock 3.2 Carrera motor for instance, with a stock AFM and O2 sensor, is setup to idle and cruise around 14.7:1 in order to hit emissions standards. Take that same 3.2 give it a hot cam and swap the stock shared plenum intake/injection for a set of ITBs and the motor will be pretty unhappy if you try to keep it at 14.7 idle.

Here are the pass fail standards for a 76 914 for the ASM 5015/2525 (dyno test) test here in CA. Unless the owner lives in another county they have the TSI(Two Speed Idle test which the engine is held a 2500rpm for a certain period of time and then idle for a certain period of time). I can supply those too. I don't know what UT does for emissions if they do a dyno test or just a two speed idle where they don't measure NOx because the vehicle is not under load.

Genuinely just curious. Does it really matter what the emission target numbers are, if the motor isn't bone stock?

Thought they won't even perform the test in California if the motor is missing stock components or has been modified.

Which is the problem for those with '76 914s. Parts that are NLA or very difficult/impossible to find in working condition. In other words, fail the visual inspection, fail the test regardless what the emissions of the car actually are?

[wonkipop]

Curious what the target numbers for the specific emissions/gasses are in California for a 75-76 914 to pass?


After my 85 Vanagon failed for the 3rd time on its factory injection here in Utah I removed the factory Bosch injection and built my own Megasquirt system. Setup a tune based just on theory and passed the tailpipe sniffer on the first try. One of the things I found interesting is that while a catalytic converter is required here via visual inspection the gasses they test for don't require it to be working, so passing emissions was just a matter of hitting the proper AFRs, maintaining the correct idle speed, and having an ignition system that isnt misfiring.

Emissions targets are surprisingly easy to hit as long as all systems are working correctly and you have direct control and feedback on all the variables involved. The problem with 30, 40, 50+ year old injection systems is they are a bit of a black box when it comes to testing and adjustment.

My 73 2.0 was passing emissions testing here up until it stopped being a requirement about 10 years ago. As long as the engine wasn't misfiring, it idled no richer than 13.5:1 and at unloaded 3000 RPM was no richer than 12.8:1 it would pass.

Many look at passing emissions as a headache, but when one of my old cars fails I see it as an indicator that it isnt running correctly.

this is on cars with stock-ish induction plumbing anyways. Highly modified engines/induction setups sometimes don't like running at the AFRs necessary to pass emissions. A stock 3.2 Carrera motor for instance, with a stock AFM and O2 sensor, is setup to idle and cruise around 14.7:1 in order to hit emissions standards. Take that same 3.2 give it a hot cam and swap the stock shared plenum intake/injection for a set of ITBs and the motor will be pretty unhappy if you try to keep it at 14.7 idle.

Here are the pass fail standards for a 76 914 for the ASM 5015/2525 (dyno test) test here in CA. Unless the owner lives in another county they have the TSI(Two Speed Idle test which the engine is held a 2500rpm for a certain period of time and then idle for a certain period of time). I can supply those too. I don't know what UT does for emissions if they do a dyno test or just a two speed idle where they don't measure NOx because the vehicle is not under load.

Genuinely just curious. Does it really matter what the emission target numbers are, if the motor isn't bone stock?

Thought they won't even perform the test in California if the motor is missing stock components or has been modified.

Which is the problem for those with '76 914s. Parts that are NLA or very difficult/impossible to find in working condition. In other words, fail the visual inspection, fail the test regardless what the emissions of the car actually are?

generally that would be the case. for a 76 cal 2.0
you need to find a cat and have a functioning EGR which is part of the exhaust system as well. bit of additional plumbing there.
a functioning air pump could be a bit of a headache too.

i believe ron only had to have a functioning air pump due to the car being 49 states.
ron may very well be a special case because of the cars long term status as resident in california? he could tell you.

but yeah, generally speaking a 76 cal 2.0 in full spec would be a bit of a headache to get functional.

[burton73]

Ron, way to go brother. Congratulations

Best Bob B
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[JeffBowlsby]

Congrats Ron, this is excellent news. D-Jet lives on!

@L-Jet914

Please post the TSI test also for the 1976 2.0L California cars.

[Ron914]

Congrats Ron, this is excellent news. D-Jet lives on!

@L-Jet914

Please post the TSI test also for the 1976 2.0L California cars.

@JeffBowlsby Is this what you want

[JeffBowlsby]

Thanks Ron, that indicates the test requirements for the 1976 cars.

@L-Jet914 I am curious if you know why the CA requirements do not include the idle speed test for CO=3.0% volume max as indicated on the factory label?

[Ron914]

Ron, way to go brother. Congratulations

Best Bob B
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Thank you Bob,
It's been a long journey .