Thinking of a 3.6 in a '76 914, Need to pass CA smog test Options

[rd914]

I know there are folks in this club that have done it and was wondering if it can still pass smog and if all the smog related equipment fit in the engine bay. I am thinking of putting a bone stock 3.6 and need to start collecting conversion parts.
Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

[lapuwali]

It could happen, but you'd have to do some custom engineering to make it happen. First, you'd need to use a pre-96 (OBD-II) 3.6, so '89-'95, and earlier would be better, as the EFI electronics will be simpler. This should remove the need for the gauges and whatnot, but expect to do quite a bit of custom wiring, anyway.

You'll need to fab up a complete, custom exhaust to get a 914/6 like header with a pair of small cats or one bigger cat plumbed in. This isn't all that expensive in mild steel. I've had complete systems fabbed up in the last 5 years for under $500, including a cat. You'd need to work out the vapor recovery system (has to be from the 3.6 engine), too.

Then, you'd get the whole thing signed off by a referee station, with some special paperwork indicating you'd now have a 914 complying with '89 (or later) smog regs.

This all would likely be hard enough and expensive enough that buying and restoring another, earlier, tub would be worthwhile, unless your existing car is "perfect".