California Built or not?

[bnvus]

Okay, is there still a difference in cars built for California or not? I thought that Manufacturer's have reached a point where they make cars 50 state legal. Can anybody shed some light on this? I know it used to be requirement back in the 80's. What is the difference?:confused:

[Dave Compson]

I thought california cars were different. The smog / air equipment were always different. I know there is a difference on bikes. And i know there USED to be a difference in cars, but now.. Im not really sure. I just dont want to buy a ca. car.

Dave

[03 Merc]

I believe the old 49 state version, versus the CA version went away a few years ago, at least for cars, when the current federal and California regulations overlapped. None of my CD shop manuals list a seperate standard for anything I've owned in the last several years anyway.

Isn't this why the industry is screaming, and filing suits, over the new state mileage standards, by and for The Peoples Republic of California, that are circumventing the federal governments right to set the CAFE standard? The manufactures claim this will either stop them from selling in California,(too much money involved, that won't happen), or produce seperate standards again at increased costs for everyone....

Darn and I even traded in my Expedition for the Marauder to make the anti-SUV folks happy...or at least my wife who wouldn't let me have both..;)

[bnvus]

Hummmhh...

So SUV/trucks fall under diferent guidelines than autos? Or are they (feds/CARB) trying to pass this as part of new stricter requirements?

I used to live in Southern Cal. for 6 years (back in the early 90's) and was a shop supervisor for the Air Force. I remember having to deal with the referee stations whenever you modified a vehicle from Cal. specs. It took an act of Congress to convince them that what you did to alter your car was BETTER! (ie. replace a carb with EFI)

Just curious.

[03 Merc]

Trucks do fall under a different CAFE schedule and that is the biggest heartburn for the backers of the CA plan. Since most SUV are under the less stringent CAFE truck rules the fleet average MPG is allowed to be lower.

Keep in mind this latest CA initiative is about CAFE, not tail pipe pollution, in theory.... But in their plan if they force the CAFE up you will have less pollution...or so is the the plan. Personally as far as I am concerned FoMoCo can bring back the 2.3L and put it everything destined for that market if that whats makes them happy...

On a related note I see that the federal government is finally going after diesels as a soucre of pollution as well.... I used to really find it humorous that my motorcycle needed cats to be legal, while getting 40+ MPG, and a diesel pickup blowing clouds of smoke, at idle, was exempt!!! Such are the benefits of a good political lobby...:)