Russ Penty's Journal

Home Page: Russ Penty
Mission Viejo, CA, USA

Total Posts: 6

Smog Test #3 Passed!

Russ Penty — Posted on The MG Experience
Wednesday January 22, 2014 11:47 PM

Well its been a three month ordeal in getting the MGB to pass CA smog. Bought the car in Oct 2013 and it passed yesterday! Jan 21st'14 Had to get a new California version catalytic converter. Which of course you have to overpay for (didn't choose to drive to Nevada or Arizona for the standard and cheap one). It passed easily. Got my tag's, I'm legal!

Beware fellow Californian's there are plenty of catalytic converters advertised to fit MGB's, but they don't fit! They are too big (long) I found out the hard way during this three month process. You can get a CA cat that fits here:

https://www.catalyticconvertersonline.com

Or order one from Moss, much cheaper, and have it sent to a friend in any state other than Cali.

Member Comments on Journal Entry: Smog Test #3 Passed! ↵

2014-01-28 13:37:20 # 13852

Comment by Jerry LaRocca

Just read with interest of your ordeal with getting the smog certificate. As an ex-Californian, I know why the rules exist. Lived in LA in 60's and 70's when quarter mile visibility in Long Beach was the norm. I am a little surprised that older cars don't have an exemption, for instance over 25 years old. The impact of a very limited number of vehicles with limited on-road time wouldn't be much. Congrats on finding a low mileage car, but you're right that the late years are strangled by emissions equipment. I live in WA state, and my '72 doesn't get smog tested; I'm grateful.

2014-01-28 13:37:32 # 13853

Comment by Jerry LaRocca

2014-02-04 23:16:51 # 13987

Comment by Russ Penty

Jerry, you are right about those days here in S. Cal. As a native growing up in the 70's here it was bad at times. Calif did have a rolling 30 yr smog test exemption law and my '79 would have hit it's 30 yr date but our former Gov Arnold stopped that rolling 30 yr law. Now ALL cars from '76 and newer must pass smog. So now we play the smog test game (and shell out more $) but it's part of the ownership cost. Until I get a '75 or older!

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