California Emissions ?

[Idaho Slim]

The Vette i recently bought is from California, I would assume that there are emission controls on this vehicle, Is there any way to tell for sure, and if so are they able to be disconnected or removed for better performance & mileage? Thanks in advance.

btw.. I live in a non-inspection state, and will always , so i am not concerned with needing them for a sticker etc...

[Tom73]

A '96? I would not worry about it. The modern emission systems take almost no HP and they do help the air. I would not worry about it unless the car is nothing but a strip use car.

Originally posted by Idaho Slim
btw.. I live in a non-inspection state, and will always

You sure? Would not susprise me to see the Feds starting to require testing across the board.

tom...

[Idaho Slim]

Would not susprise me to see the Feds starting to require testing across the board. ...... That i agree on with you TOM. It is always possible I suppose.
I have to admit, the car runs very well, gets good mileage, I had just always had the understanding that the Calif. emissions vehicles had sacrificed performance to a non-emissions vette. If you are correct that would save me headaches for sure...... Can anyone confirm this? Thanks TOM!

[WradDad]

I don't recall seeing any differences in horsepower ratings from state to state when these cars were new, so I would guess that the OBDII computers were put into every car.

[XS650]

Originally posted by Idaho Slim
[I]I have to admit, the car runs very well, gets good mileage, I had just always had the understanding that the Calif. emissions vehicles had sacrificed performance to a non-emissions vette. If you are correct that would save me headaches for sure...... Can anyone confirm this? Thanks TOM!

That used to be true, but by '96 emissions and fuel consumption ratings were having good effects. The car companies had to actually figure out how engines work instead of just moving more air and fuel through them for more power without bothering to use all of it.

A '96 LT-4 small block will outperform some of the older big blocks and then get 25 mpg when you drive down the highway at semi legal speeds.

Now if the emissions plumbing and other crap gets in your way too often or keeps you from doing a mod you want to do, that's another story. Just be sure to make you mods reversible and keep all the old emissions stuff "just in case".

[Paul T]

There is no difference in the Vettes from California or any other state. I am not sure just when the commonality in the cars occurred, but sometime in the early 90's is my guess. The CA emissions option on the window sticker is to cover the additonal testing required by CA on new cars. The testing is on a sample basis so the cost is spread out over the entire fleet. I doubt you will find any difference between your car and a non-CA car. So, enjoy.
Paul

[Idaho Slim]

Very informative advice from you all again.......... It is good to know that this is not something to worry about or spend big$$ to change, I will leave it alone. Thanks everyone for your replies.

[oldace84]

I think emission controls is all over the states.
After all we need to breath, and our kids do too.
Right?
tony

[Ken]

Oh man, you wouldn't have wanted to see me driving around yesterday and especially today. My oil leak was worse than ever - dripping oil directly onto my collectors. I had a smoke screen around me a red lights. Betcha I ****ed a lot of people off.

By the way, I was just driving it to and from the shop to work on said leak.

[Hib Halverson]

There is no "hardware" difference for MY96 between Fed and CA emissions. There is a difference in certification and, if the car was first sold in CA, it will have a CA emissions label.

If the engine is running right and the MIL is not on and is not flashing, the emissions controls are installed and operating.