Best upgrade and still pass smog?

[aslives]

I've got a 1979 2000 in decent shape and would love to up performance. My main issue in passing smog in the great state of CA.

I'd love to get great webers etc but wonder if I'd be setting myself up for a hard time at the end of the day. Anyone have advice on what I can probably get away with?

[RRoller123]

A lightened flywheel would do a lot, with no smog effect.

[So Cal Mark]

lightened flywheel is a great suggestion. A carb upgrade will add much needed power but isn't smog legal. We've done lots of them and take great pains to make it all look stock in order to get through the visual inspection. Mild cams will also help

[aslives]

Interesting ideal with the flywheel -I've looked around the forum and see that many folk go this way.

Mark - are there disadvantages for changing it out (assuming good parts and it being done correctly?)

Do you have one that you would recommend for a 1979 124/ 2000?

[DanD]

Some things I would edit out of this thread if I lived in CA.

[So Cal Mark]

we have an aluminum flywheel for the 2L, no disadvantges with this upgrade

[aslives]

Mark - I spoke to a mechanic and he said that while acceleration would improve, in general the car would run less smooth, often requiring more throttle in traffic as the engine would tend to stall easier. He says the flywheel is there to smooth out firing pulses and keep momentum, and that you want the added weight.

What do you think?

[vandor]

Hi,
I have an aluminum flywheel that is half the weight of a stock one, and the engine is not any less smooth. Some of the things your mechanic said are true, but there is a difference between theory and practice.

I think the best mod you could do is converting your car to stock fuel injection. If will be easier to pass smog, you will have more power, better economy, and the engine will be smoother. You'll have to pass smog as an EFI Spider, but EFI Spiders don't usually have problems. Another mod you can do is install higher compression pistons, but of course you need to disassemble the engine to do that. Mild cams work too.