Early 90s Hondas and California Smog Test?
 

I want to give my 1992 Honda Accord to my daughter for college. It's a
1992 in great condition, inside and out. It passes Maryland emissions,
practically without registering on the meters. I'm thinking it should be
fine with California smog tests, but I don't want to spend $1200 to ship
it out there only to have to spend $1200 to ship it back if it fails.

Can anyone comment on successfully importing early 90s 49-state Hondas
into California? Any ideas on tests I can do in Maryland that could
give me confidence about tests in California?

Thanks in advance.

Re: Early 90s Hondas and California Smog Test?
 

"Ari Rankum" <ari_rankum@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:AR%ci.934$Zh6.491@trnddc04...
>I want to give my 1992 Honda Accord to my daughter for college. It's a
> 1992 in great condition, inside and out. It passes Maryland emissions,
> practically without registering on the meters. I'm thinking it should be
> fine with California smog tests, but I don't want to spend $1200 to ship
> it out there only to have to spend $1200 to ship it back if it fails.
>
> Can anyone comment on successfully importing early 90s 49-state Hondas
> into California? Any ideas on tests I can do in Maryland that could
> give me confidence about tests in California?
>
> Thanks in advance.

Here are a couple of links for the California DMV website in reference to
the SMOG (emissions test) and state transfers. It'll also show you where to
look to see if it's 49 state emissions or 50 state/California. It's a 1992
so I don't know when they began listing it for the 50 state emissions.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures...cts/ffvr29.htm

-Dave

Re: Early 90s Hondas and California Smog Test?
 

"Ari Rankum" <ari_rankum@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:AR%ci.934$Zh6.491@trnddc04...
>I want to give my 1992 Honda Accord to my daughter for college. It's a
> 1992 in great condition, inside and out. It passes Maryland emissions,
> practically without registering on the meters. I'm thinking it should be
> fine with California smog tests, but I don't want to spend $1200 to ship
> it out there only to have to spend $1200 to ship it back if it fails.
>
> Can anyone comment on successfully importing early 90s 49-state Hondas
> into California? Any ideas on tests I can do in Maryland that could
> give me confidence about tests in California?
>
> Thanks in advance.

Here are a couple of links for the California DMV website in reference to
the SMOG (emissions test) and state transfers. It'll also show you where to
look to see if it's 49 state emissions or 50 state/California. It's a 1992
so I don't know when they began listing it for the 50 state emissions.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures...cts/ffvr29.htm

-Dave

Re: Early 90s Hondas and California Smog Test?
 

"Ari Rankum" <ari_rankum@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:AR%ci.934$Zh6.491@trnddc04...
>I want to give my 1992 Honda Accord to my daughter for college. It's a
> 1992 in great condition, inside and out. It passes Maryland emissions,
> practically without registering on the meters. I'm thinking it should be
> fine with California smog tests, but I don't want to spend $1200 to ship
> it out there only to have to spend $1200 to ship it back if it fails.
>
> Can anyone comment on successfully importing early 90s 49-state Hondas
> into California? Any ideas on tests I can do in Maryland that could
> give me confidence about tests in California?
>
> Thanks in advance.

Here are a couple of links for the California DMV website in reference to
the SMOG (emissions test) and state transfers. It'll also show you where to
look to see if it's 49 state emissions or 50 state/California. It's a 1992
so I don't know when they began listing it for the 50 state emissions.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures...cts/ffvr29.htm

-Dave

Re: Early 90s Hondas and California Smog Test?
 

"Ari Rankum" <ari_rankum@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:AR%ci.934$Zh6.491@trnddc04...
>I want to give my 1992 Honda Accord to my daughter for college. It's a
> 1992 in great condition, inside and out. It passes Maryland emissions,
> practically without registering on the meters. I'm thinking it should be
> fine with California smog tests, but I don't want to spend $1200 to ship
> it out there only to have to spend $1200 to ship it back if it fails.
>
> Can anyone comment on successfully importing early 90s 49-state Hondas
> into California? Any ideas on tests I can do in Maryland that could
> give me confidence about tests in California?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>

The big "gotcha" (unless I'm mistaken) is that the test in California is
heavily equipment oriented. Last I heard equipment had to be retrofitted to
meet CA requirements.

Mike

Re: Early 90s Hondas and California Smog Test?
 

"Ari Rankum" <ari_rankum@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:AR%ci.934$Zh6.491@trnddc04...
>I want to give my 1992 Honda Accord to my daughter for college. It's a
> 1992 in great condition, inside and out. It passes Maryland emissions,
> practically without registering on the meters. I'm thinking it should be
> fine with California smog tests, but I don't want to spend $1200 to ship
> it out there only to have to spend $1200 to ship it back if it fails.
>
> Can anyone comment on successfully importing early 90s 49-state Hondas
> into California? Any ideas on tests I can do in Maryland that could
> give me confidence about tests in California?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>

The big "gotcha" (unless I'm mistaken) is that the test in California is
heavily equipment oriented. Last I heard equipment had to be retrofitted to
meet CA requirements.

Mike

Re: Early 90s Hondas and California Smog Test?
 

"Ari Rankum" <ari_rankum@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:AR%ci.934$Zh6.491@trnddc04...
>I want to give my 1992 Honda Accord to my daughter for college. It's a
> 1992 in great condition, inside and out. It passes Maryland emissions,
> practically without registering on the meters. I'm thinking it should be
> fine with California smog tests, but I don't want to spend $1200 to ship
> it out there only to have to spend $1200 to ship it back if it fails.
>
> Can anyone comment on successfully importing early 90s 49-state Hondas
> into California? Any ideas on tests I can do in Maryland that could
> give me confidence about tests in California?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>

The big "gotcha" (unless I'm mistaken) is that the test in California is
heavily equipment oriented. Last I heard equipment had to be retrofitted to
meet CA requirements.

Mike

Re: Early 90s Hondas and California Smog Test?
 

Michael Pardee wrote:
> "Ari Rankum" <ari_rankum@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
> news:AR%ci.934$Zh6.491@trnddc04...
>> I want to give my 1992 Honda Accord to my daughter for college. It's a
>> 1992 in great condition, inside and out. It passes Maryland emissions,
>> practically without registering on the meters. I'm thinking it should be
>> fine with California smog tests, but I don't want to spend $1200 to ship
>> it out there only to have to spend $1200 to ship it back if it fails.
>>
>> Can anyone comment on successfully importing early 90s 49-state Hondas
>> into California? Any ideas on tests I can do in Maryland that could
>> give me confidence about tests in California?
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>
> The big "gotcha" (unless I'm mistaken) is that the test in California is
> heavily equipment oriented. Last I heard equipment had to be retrofitted to
> meet CA requirements.
>
> Mike
>
>
>
i'm almost certain that's not the case any more - the old rules have
been overturned after a federal lawsuit from what i understand. you can
now drive and legally smog a 49-state 90 civic in california - without
mods. i know because i've done it. can't imagine that doesn't apply to
a 92 accord.

Re: Early 90s Hondas and California Smog Test?
 

Michael Pardee wrote:
> "Ari Rankum" <ari_rankum@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
> news:AR%ci.934$Zh6.491@trnddc04...
>> I want to give my 1992 Honda Accord to my daughter for college. It's a
>> 1992 in great condition, inside and out. It passes Maryland emissions,
>> practically without registering on the meters. I'm thinking it should be
>> fine with California smog tests, but I don't want to spend $1200 to ship
>> it out there only to have to spend $1200 to ship it back if it fails.
>>
>> Can anyone comment on successfully importing early 90s 49-state Hondas
>> into California? Any ideas on tests I can do in Maryland that could
>> give me confidence about tests in California?
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>
> The big "gotcha" (unless I'm mistaken) is that the test in California is
> heavily equipment oriented. Last I heard equipment had to be retrofitted to
> meet CA requirements.
>
> Mike
>
>
>
i'm almost certain that's not the case any more - the old rules have
been overturned after a federal lawsuit from what i understand. you can
now drive and legally smog a 49-state 90 civic in california - without
mods. i know because i've done it. can't imagine that doesn't apply to
a 92 accord.

Re: Early 90s Hondas and California Smog Test?
 

Michael Pardee wrote:
> "Ari Rankum" <ari_rankum@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
> news:AR%ci.934$Zh6.491@trnddc04...
>> I want to give my 1992 Honda Accord to my daughter for college. It's a
>> 1992 in great condition, inside and out. It passes Maryland emissions,
>> practically without registering on the meters. I'm thinking it should be
>> fine with California smog tests, but I don't want to spend $1200 to ship
>> it out there only to have to spend $1200 to ship it back if it fails.
>>
>> Can anyone comment on successfully importing early 90s 49-state Hondas
>> into California? Any ideas on tests I can do in Maryland that could
>> give me confidence about tests in California?
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>
> The big "gotcha" (unless I'm mistaken) is that the test in California is
> heavily equipment oriented. Last I heard equipment had to be retrofitted to
> meet CA requirements.
>
> Mike
>
>
>
i'm almost certain that's not the case any more - the old rules have
been overturned after a federal lawsuit from what i understand. you can
now drive and legally smog a 49-state 90 civic in california - without
mods. i know because i've done it. can't imagine that doesn't apply to
a 92 accord.

Re: Early 90s Hondas and California Smog Test?
 

jim beam wrote:
>
> i'm almost certain that's not the case any more - the old rules have
> been overturned after a federal lawsuit from what i understand. you can
> now drive and legally smog a 49-state 90 civic in california - without
> mods. i know because i've done it. can't imagine that doesn't apply to
> a 92 accord.

I was there during the lawsuit. When I initially took my 49 state '88 Civic
to California I had to pay a $300 fee since it didn't have California
emissions, i.e., no EGR valve. No modifications to the vehicle were
needed. The Civic would pass the California smog test without any
problems. Indeed, I would see many other vehicles on the road which clearly
put out worse looking exhaust then my Civic does. After the lawsuit, I got
my $300 back plus interest. One of the things that I didn't like about
California's smog laws is that emissions testing has been privatized. It's
a huge for profit business and the cost of tests can vary quite a bit, e.g.,
$50-80 for the same test. The state government runs the test where I was
from and where I am now and it costs $15 every other year.

Eric

Re: Early 90s Hondas and California Smog Test?
 

jim beam wrote:
>
> i'm almost certain that's not the case any more - the old rules have
> been overturned after a federal lawsuit from what i understand. you can
> now drive and legally smog a 49-state 90 civic in california - without
> mods. i know because i've done it. can't imagine that doesn't apply to
> a 92 accord.

I was there during the lawsuit. When I initially took my 49 state '88 Civic
to California I had to pay a $300 fee since it didn't have California
emissions, i.e., no EGR valve. No modifications to the vehicle were
needed. The Civic would pass the California smog test without any
problems. Indeed, I would see many other vehicles on the road which clearly
put out worse looking exhaust then my Civic does. After the lawsuit, I got
my $300 back plus interest. One of the things that I didn't like about
California's smog laws is that emissions testing has been privatized. It's
a huge for profit business and the cost of tests can vary quite a bit, e.g.,
$50-80 for the same test. The state government runs the test where I was
from and where I am now and it costs $15 every other year.

Eric

Re: Early 90s Hondas and California Smog Test?
 

jim beam wrote:
>
> i'm almost certain that's not the case any more - the old rules have
> been overturned after a federal lawsuit from what i understand. you can
> now drive and legally smog a 49-state 90 civic in california - without
> mods. i know because i've done it. can't imagine that doesn't apply to
> a 92 accord.

I was there during the lawsuit. When I initially took my 49 state '88 Civic
to California I had to pay a $300 fee since it didn't have California
emissions, i.e., no EGR valve. No modifications to the vehicle were
needed. The Civic would pass the California smog test without any
problems. Indeed, I would see many other vehicles on the road which clearly
put out worse looking exhaust then my Civic does. After the lawsuit, I got
my $300 back plus interest. One of the things that I didn't like about
California's smog laws is that emissions testing has been privatized. It's
a huge for profit business and the cost of tests can vary quite a bit, e.g.,
$50-80 for the same test. The state government runs the test where I was
from and where I am now and it costs $15 every other year.

Eric

Re: Early 90s Hondas and California Smog Test?
 

"Eric" <say.no@spam.now> wrote in message news:46751601.AFAB89DA@spam.now...
> jim beam wrote:
>>
>> i'm almost certain that's not the case any more - the old rules have
>> been overturned after a federal lawsuit from what i understand. you can
>> now drive and legally smog a 49-state 90 civic in california - without
>> mods. i know because i've done it. can't imagine that doesn't apply to
>> a 92 accord.
>
> I was there during the lawsuit. When I initially took my 49 state '88
> Civic
> to California I had to pay a $300 fee since it didn't have California
> emissions, i.e., no EGR valve. No modifications to the vehicle were
> needed. The Civic would pass the California smog test without any
> problems. Indeed, I would see many other vehicles on the road which
> clearly
> put out worse looking exhaust then my Civic does. After the lawsuit, I
> got
> my $300 back plus interest. One of the things that I didn't like about
> California's smog laws is that emissions testing has been privatized.
> It's
> a huge for profit business and the cost of tests can vary quite a bit,
> e.g.,
> $50-80 for the same test. The state government runs the test where I was
> from and where I am now and it costs $15 every other year.
>
> Eric
>

That's great to know. My motorhead brother in CA was often running into the
equipment problem. It seemed monumentally stupid when performance testing
was more comprehensive anyway. But bureaucracies aren't known for doing
smart things.

Mike

Re: Early 90s Hondas and California Smog Test?
 

"Eric" <say.no@spam.now> wrote in message news:46751601.AFAB89DA@spam.now...
> jim beam wrote:
>>
>> i'm almost certain that's not the case any more - the old rules have
>> been overturned after a federal lawsuit from what i understand. you can
>> now drive and legally smog a 49-state 90 civic in california - without
>> mods. i know because i've done it. can't imagine that doesn't apply to
>> a 92 accord.
>
> I was there during the lawsuit. When I initially took my 49 state '88
> Civic
> to California I had to pay a $300 fee since it didn't have California
> emissions, i.e., no EGR valve. No modifications to the vehicle were
> needed. The Civic would pass the California smog test without any
> problems. Indeed, I would see many other vehicles on the road which
> clearly
> put out worse looking exhaust then my Civic does. After the lawsuit, I
> got
> my $300 back plus interest. One of the things that I didn't like about
> California's smog laws is that emissions testing has been privatized.
> It's
> a huge for profit business and the cost of tests can vary quite a bit,
> e.g.,
> $50-80 for the same test. The state government runs the test where I was
> from and where I am now and it costs $15 every other year.
>
> Eric
>

That's great to know. My motorhead brother in CA was often running into the
equipment problem. It seemed monumentally stupid when performance testing
was more comprehensive anyway. But bureaucracies aren't known for doing
smart things.

Mike