For all you guys and gals in California.

[katsi]

I went in this past weekend to get my spider's annual inspection. I have a 79 with a 74 intake and carb. After the inspection, it was brought to my attention that the catilytic converter was rusted and shot. So, we decided that the best plan was to just cut the exhaust right befor the cat and weld in a new custome shaped exhaust from the header to the muffler. We kept the bolt on section to the header and made the rest just one custom fit pipe and welded it directly to the muffler. Total cost for inspection and new exhaust was $110.00. She sounds a lot quieter now that the exhaust leak is fixed. And yes, since the horn, lights, wipers and turn signals worked well, not to mention those newish tiers, she passed inspection with flying colors. I knew you guys would hate this.

[So Cal Mark]

you are pretty lucky to have a state that lenient on emissions. That action (if the culprits were caught) would result in huge fines and perhaps jail time out here

[spiderrey]

Thats why I have early cars.

[RRoller123]

In MA they got away from the tailpipe analytical sample a few years back, and now (for modern cars) they just make sure that the check engine/catcon light isn't on and that the car doesn't obviously smoke out the tailpipe. I haven't owned my Spider long enough to go through a current MA inspection. Does anyone know how they judge the old cars here? Obviously no check engine/catcon light. I would be surprised if they look for a physical catcon, since the inspections are done by licensed garages and most of them have probably never seen one of these cars. That is the reaction I typically get anyway, which is part of the appeal of these fine machines! <{:^)

[aj81spider]

Older cars (my 1981 qualifies - I forget where the cutoff is) don't have to comply with emissions requirements in MA. All they do is the safety inspection. You can go on the DMV web site and they have the regulations there. They take a little searching to find, but are there.

[katsi]

That action (if the culprits were caught) would result in huge fines and perhaps jail time out here

I know,I'm originally from San Diego and I remember getting my cars smoged - what a pain in the butt. Not to mention the anxiety leading up to the inspection. That's why I had to rub it in a little bit . Yet, if it were an 84 - no dice. I would not have been able to do this even in TX. Believe me, I was so happy to get rid of the technicolor intake on my 79. Still got it if someone is having a hard time sorcing some smog parts. Really, I hope you guys know that I'm just joking with ya because I feel your pain everytime someone writes about it.

[RRoller123]

Glad to hear they just do the safety inspection here! That is what I had hoped for. Now if I could just get those flashers, wipers, horn, headlights, backup lights and turn signals to work.... <{:^)

[redcars]

I live in Illinois and here if the car doesn't have OBD II there is no emissions check and there are no safety inspections. Considering what I see on the highyway we could use the safety inspections.

[dkphotog]

I went in this past weekend to get my spider's annual inspection. I have a 79 with a 74 intake and carb. After the inspection, it was brought to my attention that the catilytic converter was rusted and shot. So, we decided that the best plan was to just cut the exhaust right befor the cat and weld in a new custome shaped exhaust from the header to the muffler. We kept the bolt on section to the header and made the rest just one custom fit pipe and welded it directly to the muffler. Total cost for inspection and new exhaust was $110.00. She sounds a lot quieter now that the exhaust leak is fixed. And yes, since the horn, lights, wipers and turn signals worked well, not to mention those newish tiers, she passed inspection with flying colors. I knew you guys would hate this.

I feel the pain....still looking for a cat convertor solution that is not big bucks. While I am jealous of you....I have to say that after living in Dallas for 12 years they are not the most eco-friendly state. They still don't even have good recycling programs. Now being here in the Bay Area I realize how behind TX is in the "Save the Planet" race. So I guess that eases my mind a little that I'm lessening my carbon footprint.

[katsi]

....I have to say that after living in Dallas for 12 years they are not the most eco-friendly state. They still don't even have good recycling programs. Now being here in the Bay Area I realize how behind TX is in the "Save the Planet" race. So I guess that eases my mind a little that I'm lessening my carbon footprint.

HMM, Don't know how long you have been gone or what they are doing up there in Dallas but here in Houston, we have a huge recycling program. In fact, it is exactly the same program that I had when I lived in San Diego back in 2005.

[CajunMike]

Here too in Louisiana. Been cat free since the 90s.

[dkphotog]

....I have to say that after living in Dallas for 12 years they are not the most eco-friendly state. They still don't even have good recycling programs. Now being here in the Bay Area I realize how behind TX is in the "Save the Planet" race. So I guess that eases my mind a little that I'm lessening my carbon footprint.

HMM, Don't know how long you have been gone or what they are doing up there in Dallas but here in Houston, we have a huge recycling program. In fact, it is exactly the same program that I had when I lived in San Diego back in 2005.

Probably time to shut my mouth....ha, ha...but here goes: Not saying they don't have recycling - they do - but seriously there is much more of an emphasis and stricter laws / incentives to recycle in California. Lots of restaurants and food joints in TX did not have a recycle option let alone compost bin. Just throw it in the garbage!!! Let's not even get started on emissions and mass transit. TX is a gas guzzler state with huge cars, & homes. Most of my friends did not care about recycling. Some did.

Seriously - California is more advanced by far. Still -I LOVE TEXAS and miss it dearly. After all I wouldn't have to buy an expensive catalytic convertor!!!

[SergeantSavage]

Okay I haven't been in California since 1995, and I'm curious now about the recycling/compost bins in restaurants and food joints?? What is that like?

[RRoller123]

Mark my words: In about 50 years or so, billionaires are going to be self made, by buying the rights, now, to dumps and landfills. Why mine and process raw minerals, precious metals, etc. when the dumps already have it, in relatively concentrated form, and in a highly refined state. Every valuable material ever used in manufacturing is in these landfills. Just need an efficient process (someday) to get it all back out and use it again. It's a gold mine, literally. Eh? <{:^)

[kiznarsh]

I've only had my '79 for a little over 3 months, but I already feel like ditching the intake and carb for a previous model.

My buddy has a 1.8L intake and he's thinking about swapping it out for a fuel injector, and I might buy his setup, but I'm kinda worried that I'll go through all that expense and trouble and get caught for not being smog compliant! It's not like I'd be polluting the air any more than I am now...(since all Spiders pollute to some degree)