next »

[arnspit]

 I've just moved to Menlo Park from Cincinnati with an `80 SPIT.  I've been told it would be smart to get a smog check BEFORE I try to register it.  (To try to get it near compliance at least rather than get tagged as a 'gross polluter')  Any suggestions for this?
  ALSO any suggestions for shops near Menlo Park?
 

[fdh1965]

Hello, I have a 78 spit and went through the same thing last year when I moved to california from Wyoming.  I live by Santa Barbara.  I found a shop that works on british cars almost exclusivily.  I left the tuning and emissions in thier hands.  They were able to get it all set up and passed the emmissions test.  There were no other people that where even comfortable in trying to get it setup to pass.  So I would recommend the same, find someone who is comfortable working on your setup then have them set it and test it.  It is the easiest way to go. 

[arnspit]

Thanks for your tip!  I found a Brit shop nearby--Jeff Burnett in Sunnyvale.  He said the trick was to set the valve clearance at .0025 (so you were barely getting enough fuel to run it) then reset to .0010 after pass.  New plugs and a little tuning.  Did fine.

[herald948]

No answers or suggestions from here in NY, just a question: Can one in such a situation get an exemption for a car that wasn't originally sold in CA? I was under the impression that the 1980 model year Spitfire wasn't even sold in California, since it could not meet emissions standards in effect there.

[arnspit]

An exemption?  I'm sure they wouldn't allow that.  My Federal car did meet the CA standards (after tuning), and they registered it, after it passed the CA smog test.       (I have no knowledge of whether or not any 1980s were sold in CA)    Anyone on this question?

[Kurt O.]

No answers or suggestions from here in NY, just a question: Can one in such a situation get an exemption for a car that wasn't originally sold in CA? I was under the impression that the 1980 model year Spitfire wasn't even sold in California, since it could not meet emissions standards in effect there.

Hi Andy,

A car must meet the emissions standards it was built to. In the case of a 49 state car, it must meet the 49 state standards, not the California standards. The manufacturers emissions info stickers and the VIN tell the tester what standards the car was built to and his testing machine should use those numbers. The car must pass a tailpipe test as well as a visual test. You are supposed to have all of the underhood pieces in place and connected. I imagine it could be quite a challenge to find a good working air pump for a Spitfire these days.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Kurt

[herald948]

Hi Andy,

A car must meet the emissions standards it was built to....

Thanks, Kurt. That's more or less what I meant when I said "exemption"!