Smogging in Sacramento County

[CA Big Red]

I have been trying to figure out what exactly will be required of my 1978 K10 Stepside Pickup here in Sacramento County since moving from SB County and I can't seem to get a straight answer.

First, I haven't been able to confirm if it is a federal rig or a California rig.  I spent an hour on the phone with Chevrolet trying to get that determined.

Second, assuming it is federal, I was told by one shop that I need to take off my after-market Holly and replace it with a original equipment (quadrajet, etc.).

I don't understand why Sacrament County would require that I replace my Holly after 3 consecutive smogs in Santa Barbara County.

Bottom-line, I am wondering what exactly I need to do to pass this thing in Sac, who to work with that I can trust or if I should just register this thing in Montana under one of those LLC programs.

Thoughts and suggestions are appreciated. 

[DuckAholic1]

No expert here by any means, but I do believe that Caifornia smog is California smog. I dont believe it is any differant rules/laws between counties. That being said, If you have had it smogged in SB county with no problems, Then the same will be true in Sac County. Please keep us posted on how it goes.

[Boone83K10]

Move out of California. In NC, there are differences between counties..some have emissions for 96 and newer vehicles, some do not. Mine is safety only for all registered vehicles regardless of year..so there could be differences between counties in CA.

 

[darmentle]

Anything aftermarket Requires a CARB apportioned sticker. Also if you truck wasn't made for a smog legal state like CA your gonna have to change over some stuff. catalytic converters smog pump etc.  I have lived in CA my whole life the smog is BS this state gets worse every year on it. Also anything 1975 and older is pre smog.
This link might help you

http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResources/02_SmogCheck/Used_Vehicle_Smog_Equip_Req.html

[CA Big Red]

No expert here by any means, but I do believe that Caifornia smog is California smog. I dont believe it is any different rules/laws between counties. That being said, If you have had it smogged in SB county with no problems, Then the same will be true in Sac County. Please keep us posted on how it goes.

I want to believe it shouldn't make a difference, but the majority of folks tell me that Santa Barbara County is less stringent because its air quality isn't as bad (on the coast) as here in the Valley.  I've been to three shops that have been consistent on that all wanting me to take the truck back to stock emissions. 

This is where it gets tricky and starts to feel like its very subjective and will depend a lot on who thinks they know what about this truck.

This truck has been in my family for 30 years.  Its been running headers and duel exhaust without cats most of that life.  The engine isn't original (big surprise).

So, depending on who I talk to, they want manifolds put back on, the original carb, cats, a new exhaust system that includes a "Y" to the cat and then back out to dual.

I've been quoted $1500 - $2200 to get it all done to pass smog by two of the shops. 

One of the more reasonable smog shops said if I was passing in Santa Barbara, he'd be able to pass me...if I got rid of my Holly carb, the same carburetor that I was passing with in SB County.  Now how does that make sense and where am I supposed to find a quadrajet just laying around?

So, I'm hoping someone on this board has experience with how one might go about this.

Like I said, I'm seriously thinking about starting a company in Montana just so I can make this a Montana truck here in crazy California.

[CA Big Red]

Anything aftermarket Requires a CARB apportioned sticker. Also if you truck wasn't made for a smog legal state like CA your gonna have to change over some stuff. catalytic converters smog pump etc.  I have lived in CA my whole life the smog is BS this state gets worse every year on it. Also anything 1976 and older is pre smog.

Hi Darmentle,

the irony is that I don't think anyone can tell me if this is a federal truck or a California truck.  Based on the VIN, it was built in Fremont, but I spent an hour on the phone with Chevrolet yesterday trying to determine if it was manufactured for California emissions or if it was federal and they don't have records that can tell them that and all of the "stickers" (the truck is almost 40 years old) are no longer under the good or in the glovebox. 

So, I told the lady that I'm just going to call it a federal rig, who is going to know better than me?  A referee?  What resources do they have that Chevy doesn't on this truck?  They aren't going to find the stickers...

Bottom-line, I don't want to change anything.  I want a shop to smog what I have, like they were doing in Santa Barbara County.  I have three consecutive smog certifications from down there, why can't I keep that going?

[CA Big Red]

Attached is the pic of my rig that I'm trying to smog.

[darmentle]

yea i would try and do the federal way if you can. Like i said this state is a joke when it comes to smog. Now they make newer diesels smog. Also for awhile they where trying to get motorcycles to but it never passed. Good Luck

[CA Big Red]

I was passing just fine in Santa Barbara County, but mechanics up here are telling me all sorts of stories about what I need to pass smog in Sacramento County. 

I don't know anyone who knows exactly what is needed and then I get the, "you need to talk to a referee."  Not exactly what I want to hear.

Suggestions or thoughts are appreciated.

[CA Big Red]

Is there a mechanic in the Sacramento area that specializes in older Chevrolets that someone recommends I contact to help me pass smog in Sacramento County?

I most recently passed smog in Santa Barbara County in 2011, but apparently things are stricter here? 

I need someone I can trust and that is knowledgable. I really want to keep her on the road.

Thanks in advance!

[454Man]

Yea that truck came stock with a fuel injected vortec :-) very nice truck!

What's under the hood??? If you have to ask maybe we shouldn't race!

[Boone83K10]

Can you not re register it in the previous county where it was passing? Use old address...work the system like everyone . Find a guy who will stick the sniffer in a different vehicle but use results for your truck. This happens all time in the county my parents live in...

 

[bd]

..."you need to talk to a referee."  Not exactly what I want to hear.

Regardless, the referee has the final say and adjudication on what constitutes compliance and non-compliance!  Call the local BAR office and request an appointment.  Perhaps you can secure a temporary extension from DMV, since you recently relocated(?).

There are a few members from the greater Sac area who may be able to shed more light on your immediate dilemma, although they may not visit the board on a daily basis.

[DuckAholic1]

Is there a mechanic in the Sacramento area that specializes in older Chevrolets that someone recommends I contact to help me pass smog in Sacramento County?

I most recently passed smog in Santa Barbara County in 2011, but apparently things are stricter here? 

I need someone I can trust and that is knowledgable. I really want to keep her on the road.

Thanks in advance!

Let start by saying...Beautiful Truck!!!!!
I have lived in The Sacramento area all my life, & I have never heard of separate smog rules between counties in Ca. Someone is pulling your chain!!!! I currently live in yolo county, there is no laws stoping me from having my truck/car smoged  in Fresno county and vise versa!!! To the best of my knowledge Ca. Smog laws are the same throughout Ca. If you find out any different I would love for you to let us know!
Meanwhile, I do happen to know of a shop with great knowledge of these trucks. Sense I don't want to sound as if I am advertising , I will send you a pm with the name.

[CA Big Red]

Let start by saying...Beautiful Truck!!!!!
I have lived in The Sacramento area all my life, & I have never heard of separate smog rules between counties in Ca. Someone is pulling your chain!!!! I currently live in yolo county, there is no laws stoping me from having my truck/car smoged  in Fresno county and vise versa!!! To the best of my knowledge Ca. Smog laws are the same throughout Ca. If you find out any different I would love for you to let us know!
Meanwhile, I do happen to know of a shop with great knowledge of these trucks. Sense I don't want to sound as if I am advertising , I will send you a pm with the name.

Thanks DuckAholic1.  Everyone I spoke to has said the county to county restrictions can be different.  The coast counties are less restrictive because they don't have the air quality issues that the inland counties have, i.e. Sacramento.  Ironic that the restrictions are tighter inland when, in Sac Valley, much of the pollution is blown in...

I'll let you know what more I learn.