1991 Spider and CA Emissions

[alfa72]

About to buy a stock '91 Spider in CT. Will I have problems in CA passing inspection? What am I in for?

[ghnl]

There should be a tag on the door post indicating its model year and emissions certification. If it indicates a 50-state certification there shouldn't be any problems (assuming it is in good working order with functioning O2 sensor and catalytic converter).

If it indicates it's a 49-state certification then I suspect the missing state is California...

[Gubi]

Assuming the engine hasn't been modified with any non-standard bits that cause you to fail the visual inspection, a '91 Spider shouldn't be any harder to pass than any other car of similar vintage.

The OEM cat converters weren't known for longevity so depending on how many miles it has you might need to replace the cat to get it to pass on NOx. I had to get a new cat about eight years ago and it's been fine since.

Beyond that there are a lot of things that could cause it to fail, but they're not specific to the Spider.

[RandallM]

I brought my 86 up from Texas and threw a new O2 sensor in and it passed. Even with a weak engine burning oil.

[alfa72]

Thanks for this. I have a report on recent emissions of the car but can't find the CA limits online. Anyone know where they might be posted?

[alfa72]

Not w the car otherwise would look at the door tag.

[alfa72]

Driving me NUTS that I can't find the limits for CA online anywhere. Recent test on my '91:

54ppm HCs
.74% CO
537ppm NOx
11.6 Horsepower
Test Weight 3000lbs
Engine RPM 0
Engine Temp 200.1

[Gubi]

I looked through my files and couldn't find my old test results. However, depending where you are the CA test may be a dyno test (it is where I live) so the results will probably not be directly comparable.

That being said, from memory 537ppm NOx seems *really* high. Generally when the cat goes the NOx is the first to go, so it *may* be time for a new cat. But don't quote me on that until you get some better results.

Get the car in state and find a smog shop that will do a pre-test for you. That'll at least let you know where you're at.

[alfa72]

Yeah, just got off the phone with a smog test place in norcal where it will be and they said the numbers say nothing because it needs to go under a dynomometer.

A cat is not too expensive, around $100 then install?

[Gubi]

I paid $300 installed last year, but that was on an older car so it may have been a smaller/cheaper cat.

The replacement cat has to be a CA certified model or most legit shops won't touch it.

[alfa72]

cool, thanks. will let you all know the outcome so it's captured for others. - alfa72

[jillian70]

About $300 installed seems to be the going rate in So Cal for a California Cat. installed. That's what it cost on my '92 a couple of yrs ago.