Question on performance upgrades on California Spiders

[So Cal Mark]

you'll need to make sure the egr system is installed and working and also the hot air tube to the air cleaner.

A good option on the 79 is to just install the 32/36 carb. The results aren't quite as good as swapping the intake also, but at least all of the emission equipment stays in place.

[So Cal Mark]

I just read a gov't study that found that cars 13 years and older account for 25% of the miles driven, but 75% of all pollution from cars

[fiasco]

I'll admit that I am sometimes frustrated by the smog laws here in Cali. However, I also know that when I moved here 15 years ago, there were many summer days that I could not see the foothills less than a quarter mile from my house due to the smog in the air. There is no doubt that the air quality now (in general) is better than it was then, and everything I've read says that a lot of that improvement is due to the reductions in auto emissions.

I guess when it comes down to it, I don't want to have to deal with the smog rules myself, but I'm sure glad everyone else has to.

-- se

[So Cal Mark]

ditto

[bobcity]

Right, but I'm not trying to make a polluting car. That's why I was curious if the mods would have any effect on passing the smog. I think that registering cars as collectors vehicles or something and then making sure they don't pollute would be better than condemning them to using old worn out technology. There's still a whole lot more energy and pollution wasted by replacing our cars every 4 years I'll ever match with my little Spider.

I'm all for clean air, I try to get some every day. Smog laws have their place, but a little common sense is OK too.

Sorry ... off the soap box now.

Wouldn't mind seeing the study you refer to Mark, if you can post a link.

[bobcity]

you'll need to make sure the egr system is installed and working and also the hot air tube to the air cleaner.

A good option on the 79 is to just install the 32/36 carb. The results aren't quite as good as swapping the intake also, but at least all of the emission equipment stays in place.

Thanks for this advice ... I'll start looking for the carb. So far, it seems, I'm looking at $400, sound right?

[So Cal Mark]

unfortuately I don't have a link. I read an article about the study, which I believe was done by the EPA. The study was primarily about individual states scrapping old cars and paying owners for them. The EPA concluded that it should be a nationwide federal program rather than just a few states. Sadly, our Spiders are one type of the cars that they want to scrap and replace with ultra low emission new cars. The study concluded that if the feds bought old cars, that the fee paid to owners would be spent almost immediately and stimulate the economy and boost the automakers fortunes.

Seems they are looking at this as much as the auto mfg bailout as clearing the air

[spiderrey]

this all souds like a big headach. thats why i drive only real old fiyachts. no smog 4 me.

[baltobernie]

A good option on the 79 is to just install the 32/36 carb.

What about the "extra" fuel lines on the OEM carb setup that have no attachment points on the 32/36?

[bobcity]

A good option on the 79 is to just install the 32/36 carb.

What about the "extra" fuel lines on the OEM carb setup that have no attachment points on the 32/36?

Yes ... what about the extra fuel lines? Good question sir.

[bobcity]

this all souds like a big headach. thats why i drive only real old fiyachts. no smog 4 me.

If it sounds like a headache to you. I just got my prim o 79 spider 3 months ago. After this thread I'm thinking of sending it over one of our N. California cliffs and buying ur car.

[So Cal Mark]

it's not that bad, you're just limited on perf mods. On the carb swap, as long as it looks legal with the oem air cleaner on they don't question them much. I haven't found a smog tech yet that is familiar with a Fiat and so they don't know what they should look like. The toughest part is that Calif has tightened the standards so much that it's hard to get old cars past the test. All of the equipment has to be working, and the cat has to be functional. Even then, I usually have to rejet carbs, then put them back after the test

[bobcity]

The toughest part is that Calif has tightened the standards so much that it's hard to get old cars past the test. All of the equipment has to be working, and the cat has to be functional. Even then, I usually have to rejet carbs, then put them back after the test

Your response goes right to the heart of my original question, although I think I never was too clear.

I have the paper work and If my spider passed smog with seemingly flying colors:

My Spider@ 15 MPH HC=19 CO=.49 NO=27
AVG> HC=47 CO=.20 NO=554
MAX HC=232 CO=1.46 NO=1434
DATE 6/34/2008

It would seem to me that I have room to play with adding the carb. no?

Although, I better watch out for monoxide poisoning.

[So Cal Mark]

those are very low readings for your car