Passing CA Emissions

[gtkid2002]

Hi all,

I might be moving down to California soon, and I have a dilemma. Since nobody up here in WA will give me $1500 for my fiat, I figure it might just be easier to hang onto it, despite all of it's irritating issues. But passing emissions is one of the biggest I'm worried about. It's getting towed down if it even goes down there, but i'll be using it as a commuter. My MPG's right now aren't that great (last time I checked strictly city and maybe 20 miles of freeway a tank was around 18mpg, but it's been a long while) and I'm just not sure if it would be worth trying to get it to pass emissions.

Basically, given a basic toolkit, how hard would it be to get this thing to pass?

Also, is there supposed to be a bolt in one of the spots before the cat?

[GN78]

Where in California are you moving to some of us have prefered smog shops we go to and could recomend. Also do you have all the origional smog equipment.

[So Cal Mark]

what year is it and has the emission equipment been removed/modified?

[gtkid2002]

Modesto/Turlock area. And honestly as I don't know what exactly has been removed and what hasn't. Anything in particular I should be looking for?

It's an 80' 2000, so which is why I'm a little worried. Although I have more experience with FI systems rather than carbs, I'm learning on both still.

[So Cal Mark]

80 cars were very different depending whether they were Calif or Federal cars. Is it fi or carbed?

[GN78]

I live in the Stockton area and took my car to a Smog shop in Manteca. Its a 78 carbed. I had it in storage since 1998 and put it back on the road this past September. The place I took it had no problem working with me to get it to pass. It is a check only shop but they made all the recomendations to get it to pass and I did the work. One time in the parking lot. It took 3 times but they let me bring it back as much as it would take to get it to pass. If you need help send me a PM.

[gtkid2002]

It's Fuel injected. I think it's a federal and not CA approved, but I don't know. Should it say that on the title by any chance?

I think I know where abouts Manteca is. I recall horror stories of my dad having his truck die around there. Sounds like a perfect place to drive my troublesome little Gremlin.

[maytag]

It's Fuel injected. I think it's a federal and not CA approved, but I don't know. Should it say that on the title by any chance?

I think I know where abouts Manteca is. I recall horror stories of my dad having his truck die around there. Sounds like a perfect place to drive my troublesome little Gremlin.

the emissions sticker under the hood should say whether it's CA or 48-state approved.

[rlux4]

Here's what I've heard about the 1980 cars. For those imported into Ca. it was required they be FI, all others had carbs and the associated smog crap and detuning that made 79 and 80 the worst engine performance models. In 1981 all the cars were FI. I've also heard that a large majority of the cars imported came to California, which makes sense considering the population and great convertible weather most of the state enjoys.
The only "smog" equipment on the FI cars is the catalytic converter. The more fuel efficient FI made the rest of the smog equipment obsolete. The sensors being read by the ECU (air flow, air temp, O2) do the job. Assuming your engine is in good shape just tuning it (valve and ignition) will get you passed, no problem. My car that had 85,000 miles and had sat for five years when I bought it passed with flying colors.
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

fi cars also had evaporative systems.

[gtkid2002]

So if it doesn't have the sticker because a PO painted over it, where else could I look?

[So Cal Mark]

if it's a 1980 and FI, it's a Calif car. If it's a 1980 and carbed, Federal.