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Hambone70
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2022
Posts: 8
Location: Nevada City, California
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 Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 9:44 am Post subject: Fuel injection conversion in California |
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Newbie here! Please be gentle…
In an effort to relive my long-lost youth, I’m looking to buy a Type 2. I have perused the forum regarding the smog issue here in California. Such a hassle!
Anyway, I’m intrigued by the Brazilian buses offered by Bugs n Buses, like this one:
https://www.vwbusesnbugs.com/inventory/1979-vw-camper-7/?v=1d20b5ff1ee9
They’re all post-1975, so subject to smog testing. They’re all carbureted, too. And from what I read, the engine needs to be converted to FI in order to pass smog.
My practical workshop experience is limited to oil change! I can occasionally use a screwdriver without hurting myself or anyone else. So I require someone to convert the bus to FI to get it through smog.
Does such a place exist in Northern California?
Thanks in anticipation!
Edit: I see that Red-E Motorsports in Utah does FI conversions. I’m hoping to find somewhere closer. |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22665
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 10:31 am Post subject: Re: Fuel injection conversion in California |
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Ooof, no.
The first thing they check on smog is for the list of required equipment for your model and -year. When they go to try find that for a Brazilian Bus and can’t find it, your smog inspection will end there.
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Hambone70
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2022
Posts: 8
Location: Nevada City, California
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 10:33 am Post subject: Re: Fuel injection conversion in California |
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| Abscate wrote: |
Ooof, no.
The first thing they check on smog is for the list of required equipment for your model and -year. When they go to try find that for a Brazilian Bus and can’t find it, your smog inspection will end there. |
Why would that be? There are lots of imported vehicles here in California. |
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SGKent 
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 10:57 am Post subject: Re: Fuel injection conversion in California |
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Don't go there in California. You will make it the first port of entry and it will have to meet all requirements for that year VW bus including safety, lighting, and emissions. You'd be an idiot to try it here.
Just set $30K aside and you can have a really nice late bay. Or spent $20K - $30K for a 1975 or earlier bay. If you decide to buy a fixer upper it will cost you more to do that then buying a driver.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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Hambone70
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2022
Posts: 8
Location: Nevada City, California
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 11:01 am Post subject: Re: Fuel injection conversion in California |
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| SGKent wrote: |
Don't go there in California. You will make it the first port of entry and it will have to meet all requirements for that year VW bus including safety, lighting, and emissions. You'd be an idiot to try it here.
Just set $30K aside and you can have a really nice late bay. Or spent $20K - $30K for a 1975 or earlier bay. If you decide to buy a fixer upper it will cost you more to do that then buying a driver. |
Thanks! Great to know. You probably just saved me a boatload of hassle! |
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 12:08 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel injection conversion in California |
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| Hambone70 wrote: |
| SGKent wrote: |
Don't go there in California. You will make it the first port of entry and it will have to meet all requirements for that year VW bus including safety, lighting, and emissions. You'd be an idiot to try it here.
Just set $30K aside and you can have a really nice late bay. Or spent $20K - $30K for a 1975 or earlier bay. If you decide to buy a fixer upper it will cost you more to do that then buying a driver. |
Thanks! Great to know. You probably just saved me a boatload of hassle! |
Yes. There are lots of bays for sale these days, just have to find the one that sings to you. Parts are harder to find so the cost to do a restoration is astronomical. Better to find a clean one someone else has done a good job on and consider that.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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Jeff Geisen
Samba Chaplain
Joined: December 21, 2004
Posts: 1882
Location: N.W. Georgia
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel injection conversion in California |
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I’d rather buy an older beat-up survivor and see what I’m getting. Too risky to buy a “restored” bus that contains mostly low quality generally supplied parts. Then the whole issue of how well body/paint work was done comes into the equation. Finally, if ya can’t take ‘er for a spin, even hear it run… I digress.
I’ve bought many hard lessons over the years.
However, that’s just my opinion. What do I know?
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I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5
‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab |
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 2:49 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel injection conversion in California |
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| Jeff Geisen wrote: |
I’d rather buy an older beat-up survivor and see what I’m getting. Too risky to buy a “restored” bus that contains mostly low quality generally supplied parts. Then the whole issue of how well body/paint work was done comes into the equation. Finally, if ya can’t take ‘er for a spin, even hear it run… I digress.
I’ve bought many hard lessons over the years.
However, that’s just my opinion. What do I know? |
Hey Jeff - when I say restored, I am thinking something where there are lots of before and after photos, and receipts, not just a rust queen flip. With the cameras in smart phones, forums etc., no reason someone cannot document a restoration. Also lots of 10 - 15 year old restorations where someone has outgrown their bus, and any rust etc., would poke thru. One thing for sure, someone who doesn't know buses has to have someone with them that does.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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