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ptavian
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Joined: September 20, 2016
Posts: 89
Location: SAN FRANCISCO
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 Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 5:09 pm Post subject: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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I'm not sure about this but i think the CA smog exemption law (AB-220) has passed in the state assembly, so now vehicles 1983 and older do need to pass the smog test. I've been struggling to get my '79 super to pass for a while now, but ended up storing the car for the last year, hoping this law would change. Here is the link to the new law-
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB220
If anyone has any info about this, please chime in- I have many questions, like which course do i take to get my vehicle reg. sticker now? and Can the emission controls be removed and keep the stock FI?
I'm sure there are many '75 to '79 model cars suck in this same situation, i'm just tryin to get this conversation started about this- I'm dying to get back on the road!
Thanks All |
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EVfun
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Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 5481
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 9:27 pm Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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| ptavian wrote: |
| Can the emission controls be removed and keep the stock FI? |
My understanding is that the CA smog version of the Bug FI was a little different that the 49 states version. We didn't have a catalytic converter and used a vacuum operated valve for the EGR. I know the 49 states version of the FI Bug can be desmogged and run great! No EGR, no decel valve, replace the DVDA with an SVDA, and retune the airflow box to give a little more fuel. I also ditched the warm air intake but kept the stock air filter.The result runs SO sweet. You end up with an engine that is happy from 1000 rpm to 5000 rpm. Even with the taller 3.875 ring and pinion you can still easily take off from a stop in 2nd gear. I think the older DP engine made a little more power, with the larger valves and ports in the heads, but the FI engine is so smooth. The heater boxes that grab heat from all 4 cylinders warm the car very well and the single exit exhaust gets rid of the Bug "freem" exhaust sound.
I considered getting on of those FI engines for my beach buggy, but packaging everything up to look pretty in the open buggy is not so easy. Plus, finding the system intact to pull is not super easy. For that I ended up using a near stock 1600 single port.
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| Wildthings wrote: |
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ptavian
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2016
Posts: 89
Location: SAN FRANCISCO
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 10:09 am Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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This is great info! Exactly what I’m looking for, thanks so much. I like the sound of a sweet running FI engine. My car runs well but will probably be even better with out those emissions controls! Can’t wait to get that stuff off there.
If anyone has any info on how to register now that the law has changed, please inform, thanks all |
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Mike Fisher
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Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 17970
Location: Eugene, OR
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 10:18 am Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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Take it to a Smog Shop & pay the Pros to get it Tuned & Registered?
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ptavian
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2016
Posts: 89
Location: SAN FRANCISCO
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 10:28 am Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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| Gonna try that this weekend |
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51144
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 10:46 am Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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There's not alot of smog stuff on those to begin with, none of it effects the way it runs and some even helps, why not just leave it alone?
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Abscate
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Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22668
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 11:15 am Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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It may still be the case that while you dont have to have a smog test from 1983-on, you still have to have all smog equipment from 1968 model year on.
THats the current law, as I understand it.
That law is actively enforced.
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EVfun
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 5481
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 12:44 pm Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
| There's not alot of smog stuff on those to begin with, none of it effects the way it runs and some even helps, why not just leave it alone? |
The EGR is notorious for plugging up and rusting out. The DVDA is well known for developing a vacuum leak on the retard side of the vacuum can and is no longer available. The decel valve is harmless, but does add some extra hoses to keep leak free and isn't really needed after the the vacuum retard is removed. Making back into the basic L-jet FI system Bosch diagrams often show worked well for me.
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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amishman
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Joined: March 09, 2004
Posts: 3219
Location: California
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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I can't tell if the bill passed and is in effect now or just one they are considering. I will admit legal jargon throws my brains off so I could not tell from the text found at the link.
It looks recent... 2021... so almost seems like one they may vote on but not passed yet. I could be wrong. and hope I am as that would be great for anyone that owns Bay Window bus or below now. 
TJ
| ptavian wrote: |
I'm not sure about this but i think the CA smog exemption law (AB-220) has passed in the state assembly, so now vehicles 1983 and older do need to pass the smog test. I've been struggling to get my '79 super to pass for a while now, but ended up storing the car for the last year, hoping this law would change. Here is the link to the new law-
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB220
If anyone has any info about this, please chime in- I have many questions, like which course do i take to get my vehicle reg. sticker now? and Can the emission controls be removed and keep the stock FI?
I'm sure there are many '75 to '79 model cars suck in this same situation, i'm just tryin to get this conversation started about this- I'm dying to get back on the road!
Thanks All |
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KTPhil 
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Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 34009
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 2:42 pm Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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| Abscate wrote: |
| It may still be the case that while you dont have to have a smog test from 1983-on, you still have to have all smog equipment from 1968 model year on. |
Or at least, it has to LOOK like it is installed and working for the first inspection...
- shot jammed inside hoses so they don't pass vacuum.
- welded/glued moving pieces (in a hidden location) so they don't actually move.
- not too clean, not too dirty hardware, so it looks original.
- basic good tune so it doesn't "look" like a polluter; so maybe a cleaned carb and no obvious big oil leaks that can make smoke or smell.
Not that I ever considered any of these steps... |
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ptavian
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Joined: September 20, 2016
Posts: 89
Location: SAN FRANCISCO
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 3:11 pm Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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Yeah it sure looks like it passed- I’ve been following this for a while and the vote was on Monday and it looks amended to 1983 and older are now exempt. I can’t find any info online etc.
Maybe I’ll make a DMV appointment and see what they say (was hoping to avoid that)
I’m also about to email the lawmaker (R. Vogel) who wrote the bill and ask about this. Thanks for all the help |
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busdaddy
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Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51144
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 3:37 pm Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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| EVfun wrote: |
| busdaddy wrote: |
| There's not alot of smog stuff on those to begin with, none of it effects the way it runs and some even helps, why not just leave it alone? |
The EGR is notorious for plugging up and rusting out. The DVDA is well known for developing a vacuum leak on the retard side of the vacuum can and is no longer available. The decel valve is harmless, but does add some extra hoses to keep leak free and isn't really needed after the the vacuum retard is removed. Making back into the basic L-jet FI system Bosch diagrams often show worked well for me. |
You aren't shopping in the right places, if you dig hard enough it's all available somewhere.
Another thing to consider is what happens in a few years when the next bill passes and only cars with 100% intact systems are allowed?, you'll sure miss that stuff then, even if it's disabled and just along for the ride.
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KTPhil
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 34009
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 5:19 pm Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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| Abscate wrote: |
It may still be the case that while you dont have to have a smog test from 1983-on, you still have to have all smog equipment from 1968 model year on.
THats the current law, as I understand it.
That law is actively enforced. |
FYI, California has applied a cutoff of 1975 since 2005.
They do not inspect cars older than 1976 models.
So I take it the cutoff is now advanced to 1983? That was first proposed in 2019 (AB210), so maybe it has in fact been approved? Is that just in the Assembly? Are Senate and Gov signatures needed? Our present Gov will not sign it, for sure... |
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ptavian
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Joined: September 20, 2016
Posts: 89
Location: SAN FRANCISCO
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 6:34 pm Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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Oh Crap! I didn't realize Gavin probably does have to sign this which isn't going to happen! And i'm back to looking into parting with my '79 vert.  |
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Busstom
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Joined: November 23, 2014
Posts: 3848
Location: San Jose, CA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:15 pm Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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Fixed it for you!
| ptavian wrote: |
I'm not sure about this but i think the CA smog exemption law (AB-220) has passed in the state assembly, so now vehicles 1983 and older do NOT need to pass the smog test. I've been struggling to get my '79 super to pass for a while now, but ended up storing the car for the last year, hoping this law would change. Here is the link to the new law-
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB220
If anyone has any info about this, please chime in- I have many questions, like which course do i take to get my vehicle reg. sticker now? and Can the emission controls be removed and keep the stock FI?
I'm sure there are many '75 to '79 model cars suck in this same situation, i'm just tryin to get this conversation started about this- I'm dying to get back on the road!
Thanks All |
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ptavian
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2016
Posts: 89
Location: SAN FRANCISCO
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| Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2021 3:36 pm Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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| Thanks! I wish it was that simple!! |
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Brian
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22668
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 4:19 am Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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Upshot on hold
Reminder. If you remove smog stuff from 1968 on you are emissions tampering, and at least in SoCal, this is not being ignored just because you don’t have to smog test it.
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cchris
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Posts: 91
Location: United States
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| Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 2:03 pm Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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| I'm dealing with that right now on my 76 bay window I have all the smog on it but it still won't pass and i'm unable to find anyone local that will even touch an old Vw being that parts are pretty much unavailable anymore when it comes to smog And i'm obviously in SoCal Any idea other that to sell it in the other 49 states? |
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busdaddy
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Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51144
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: California Smog Law (AB-220) Change! |
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| cchris wrote: |
| I'm dealing with that right now on my 76 bay window I have all the smog on it but it still won't pass and i'm unable to find anyone local that will even touch an old Vw being that parts are pretty much unavailable anymore when it comes to smog And i'm obviously in SoCal Any idea other that to sell it in the other 49 states? |
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Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
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