hey guys I was just wondering if there is a way to help increase my chances of passing smog with my Z.

The engine is worn out and has a cylinder with 70 psi
The exhaust has a leak (fixable)
I think all the injectors fire I can check that when I start it up next time hopefully this weekend....

Thats about all I know so far I havn't much worked with this motor... My friend is supposed to come over this weekend and help me put the motor in my car and get it running and eveything. And I was also wondering if there is a way to get past smog... like if it will cost too much to fix or something. I'm not really ready to spend a bunch of money on this car yet so I just want to register it and drive it, till I get my other Z done then I'm going to start on it... If anyone kows anything about california emmisions let me know wut I can do to pass...
thanks

oh yea and will they title the car to someone if it doesn't pass when the car is sold. I know when u buy or sell a car u have to get it smogged to transfer the title in california so I was just wondering if they will still title it if it doesn't pass

 

If it's a ZX, you're not getting around smog in CA unless you register it in another state (read:illegal). If you're not sure if your car will pass, even after you perform repairs, get a pre-test. That way if you got a gross poluter on your hands, it won't be registered to the state that way cause you'll have a chance to fix it first. If you get a pretest (fix that exhaust leak first) and make sure you get a copy of the readings from their analyser, I can tell you what you need to fix to pass the real test. Also, CA is real big on visual inspections too. If it looks stock, you'll probably pass the visual, but make sure all your equipment is there and all the vacuum line are connected.

They will title the car if it isn't smogged, but it can't be registered for street use until it is. You'll have to put it on a non-op, if you don't want to smog it yet. I'd advise this, because those fees will add up. But don't try to smog it without a pretest unless you know it will pass.

Good luck, emissions in CA are a bitch. Part of the reason I left, no joke.

 

thanks....

i've been draggin my feet on getting the motor out since my friend didn't make it over... She was driving her mustang out in lake la and got a speeding ticket for doin 90mph. OUCH! she lost her license for the fourth time and I've bee too busy to work on the car.... Now that school is out though I will have pleanty of time. Does anyone know if the 1980 280zx came stock with flat top pistons or dished? My dad and I are gonna pull that motor tomorrow so hopefully I can do and overhaul and get it back in by the end of summer.

 

Flat tops for naturally aspirated, dished for turbos.

 

i was wrong sorry

 

BEEEEP Wrong. The 1975 to 1980 with N47 head had dished pistons.

The '81-'83 NA's with P79 head had flat tops.

As you mentioned, the '81-'83 Turbo with P90 head had dished pistons.

 

lww is absolutely right. Flat top= more power for '81+! Yeah Baby. In case you're wondering, I have an '81