Did you know that in the Great State of California, you cannot convert a carb'd '79 to fuel injection even though it would:
1. Reduce emissions
2. Increase fuel mileage by 10 mpg
3. Increase horsepower
I asked our experts here at Cal EPA. I was told "because it was not a State approved modification."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.K.
California stupidity
- spidernut
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
- Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
- Location: Lincoln, CA
California stupidity
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
BAR theory
The reasoning is that there's no way to guarantee that homebuilt systems will be clean enough. That's why any mfr that wants equipment approved has to go thru the certification process just like the car mfr did. It may seem like a no-brainer, but think about your neighborhood shadetree hobbyist designing his own emission systems.
- spidernut
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
- Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
- Location: Lincoln, CA
I asked our Cal EPA goobers about adding factory fuel injection from an 80-81 Spider. I was more than happy to have them inspect and emissions test it....they said a definitive "NO". It didn't come equipped that way, so I can't convert it.
Of course, they said I could do a complete engine swap and have it tested as the appropriate year after their inspection process. I'm not sure if they're dumb, or just dumb.
Of course, they said I could do a complete engine swap and have it tested as the appropriate year after their inspection process. I'm not sure if they're dumb, or just dumb.
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
rules, rules, rules
there is a chart of which year engines can be swapped into each year car. but just imagine if all 30 million car owners in Cal decided to fabricate their own emission systems. And inspecting it doesn't mean it will be clean under all conditions
- spidernut
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
- Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
- Location: Lincoln, CA
Art,
They recommended that too. I just can't see doing an engine swap since mine has 36,000 original miles on it. It shows me how short-sighted they are. It is the same motor with a different fuel and exhaust system.
You'd think they'd jump at the chance to have me reduce emissions and save fuel given our energy crisis and concern over the environment. I have a hard time believing that EPA doesn't have a database that specifies the differences and similarities between model years. It would be the same information they use and require mechanics to look at to see if there had been a mechanical modifications.
I'm just griping anyways.
They recommended that too. I just can't see doing an engine swap since mine has 36,000 original miles on it. It shows me how short-sighted they are. It is the same motor with a different fuel and exhaust system.
You'd think they'd jump at the chance to have me reduce emissions and save fuel given our energy crisis and concern over the environment. I have a hard time believing that EPA doesn't have a database that specifies the differences and similarities between model years. It would be the same information they use and require mechanics to look at to see if there had been a mechanical modifications.
I'm just griping anyways.
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)