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Keeping a Foxbody in California :(

  • Thread starter Thread starter 89Foxx!
  • Start date Start date Nov 11, 2024

89Foxx!

Member
Aug 24, 2024
8
5
13
Rio Vista, Ca.
Nov 11, 2024
#1
  • Nov 11, 2024
  • #1
I'm stuck here in CA and cant control the stupidity of the "Make you breath better" laws that are constant here! So I finally found an 89 GT that hasn't been molested beyond my scope of repair and bought it. Like most of you here, we love the Foxbody, BUT... 35 year old issues will be popping up from time to time, and the emissions in this state are tough to say the least. I'll keep this one stock, and thats ok, but how long until these 302 HO's just wont pass emissions anymore..who knows. Anyway, glad to be here once again after many years!
 

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91AOD5.0LX

I have a slight sag in my rear
5 Year Member
Feb 20, 2021
1,055
982
133
Lake George NY
Nov 11, 2024
#2
  • Nov 11, 2024
  • #2
Nice find! We would love to see more pictures of that beauty!
 
Reactions: Rdub6

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,074
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234
Box behind Walmart
Nov 11, 2024
#3
  • Nov 11, 2024
  • #3
Yep... Keep it stock and boost the out of it.
 
Reactions: General karthief and 89Foxx!

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,876
4,002
183
Claremore, OK
Nov 12, 2024
#4
  • Nov 12, 2024
  • #4
Some boost and a good tune and that car will pass emissions testing with flying colors.

More pictures as that color is one of my favorites.
 
Reactions: 89Foxx!

89Foxx!

Member
Aug 24, 2024
8
5
13
Rio Vista, Ca.
Nov 12, 2024
#5
  • Nov 12, 2024
  • #5
AeroCoupe said:
Some boost and a good tune and that car will pass emissions testing with flying colors.

More pictures as that color is one of my favorites.
Click to expand...
lol, I wish boosting was an option. The vin code says OXFORD WHITE but its not I'm not really sure of this exact current color, it kind of looks burgundy, maroon.... It looks nice though.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,074
21,262
234
Box behind Walmart
Nov 12, 2024
#6
  • Nov 12, 2024
  • #6
89Foxx! said:
lol, I wish boosting was an option. The vin code says OXFORD WHITE but its not I'm not really sure of this exact current color, it kind of looks burgundy, maroon.... It looks nice though.
Click to expand...

What's wrong with boost?


Install this in a street car and never look back:



There are some fuel system and tuning items required as well but we can cross that bridge when you come to your senses and figure out that you need MOAH POWAH!

Forget college tuition. This will get you more tail.
 
Reactions: 89Foxx! and 91AOD5.0LX

89ripper

Founding Member
Jun 3, 2002
926
308
103
Rockford, Illinois
Nov 12, 2024
#7
  • Nov 12, 2024
  • #7
Looks cabernet red
My old paint scheme
 
Reactions: 89Foxx!

89Foxx!

Member
Aug 24, 2024
8
5
13
Rio Vista, Ca.
Nov 13, 2024
#8
  • Nov 13, 2024
  • #8
Noobz347 said:
What's wrong with boost?


Install this in a street car and never look back:



There are some fuel system and tuning items required as well but we can cross that bridge when you come to your senses and figure out that you need MOAH POWAH!

Forget college tuition. This will get you more tail.
Click to expand...
The hot smogs here went from about $100 a few years back to an even $500 on average...ridiculous! I'm visualizing that KB on my 89..tuition, what's that
 

89Foxx!

Member
Aug 24, 2024
8
5
13
Rio Vista, Ca.
Nov 13, 2024
#9
  • Nov 13, 2024
  • #9
89ripper said:
Looks cabernet red
My old paint scheme
Click to expand...
I think your right. This color tends to look brown...ish at certain times in the sun. The re paint was a decent job, but you can see some areas where they cut corners.. either way, I'm not complaining. These Foxbodys had me hooked from the first time i saw one and im keeping this one.
 
Reactions: 89ripper

Potomus Pete

I'm still waiting for the fully nude shots
5 Year Member
Mar 7, 2019
3,308
1,223
153
Sarasota Florida
Nov 13, 2024
#10
  • Nov 13, 2024
  • #10
Great car..Great color
 

Willybill32

But at least it's tight!
5 Year Member
Jul 16, 2019
629
352
83
Lexington, KY
Nov 16, 2024
#11
  • Nov 16, 2024
  • #11
89Foxx! said:
I'm stuck here in CA and cant control the stupidity of the "Make you breath better" laws that are constant here! So I finally found an 89 GT that hasn't been molested beyond my scope of repair and bought it. Like most of you here, we love the Foxbody, BUT... 35 year old issues will be popping up from time to time, and the emissions in this state are tough to say the least. I'll keep this one stock, and thats ok, but how long until these 302 HO's just wont pass emissions anymore..who knows. Anyway, glad to be here once again after many years!
Click to expand...
I’m not all that familiar with California smog laws, other than I know they’re very anal about emissions, but I thought as long as your car met the regulations for its year of manufacture that you were OK smog-wise.

Bill
 
J

Jarhead67

5 Year Member
Nov 24, 2018
171
64
38
Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Nov 17, 2024
#12
  • Nov 17, 2024
  • #12
89Foxx! said:
I'm stuck here in CA and cant control the stupidity of the "Make you breath better" laws that are constant here! So I finally found an 89 GT that hasn't been molested beyond my scope of repair and bought it. Like most of you here, we love the Foxbody, BUT... 35 year old issues will be popping up from time to time, and the emissions in this state are tough to say the least. I'll keep this one stock, and thats ok, but how long until these 302 HO's just wont pass emissions anymore..who knows. Anyway, glad to be here once again after many years!
Click to expand...
Won’t they “Grandfather” them in?
 

gkomo

now i can hopefully expect to receive the shaft
Aug 2, 2024
2,170
1,420
133
San Diego, CA
Nov 22, 2024
#13
  • Nov 22, 2024
  • #13
I'm also a California smog required Fox owner. To your question as to when will these cars just not pass smog, I think it comes down to how long will the catalytic converters last. The one i just bought in September had the (i assume) original H-pipe on it, and it failed smog. I didn't want to go through the motions of scouring FB Marketplace or whatever, installing and testing random H-pipes, so i ended up paying big bucks for the Magnaflow C.A.R.B. legal xpipe. Passed smog with flying colors. For how long after the 5 year emissions warranty... thats the $2,200 question.
 
Reactions: 89Foxx!

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
Apr 3, 2009
2,979
1,626
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nevada
Nov 22, 2024
#14
  • Nov 22, 2024
  • #14
And that's a big reason so many are moving from Komifornia to my easy smog state of Nevada.
My 93 passes smog every year (17so far) with a BBK two cat xpipe and an SLP loudmouth cat back.
 

91AOD5.0LX

I have a slight sag in my rear
5 Year Member
Feb 20, 2021
1,055
982
133
Lake George NY
Nov 22, 2024
#15
  • Nov 22, 2024
  • #15
As much of a downer NYS is with everything, even they don’t do emissions on cars 25 years or older.
“Safety check” only with the Fox.
If the lights and brakes work with no windshield cracks and the seatbelts look good then your good to go out the door with a pass sticker. No smell test at all.
 

89Foxx!

Member
Aug 24, 2024
8
5
13
Rio Vista, Ca.
Nov 23, 2024
#16
  • Nov 23, 2024
  • #16
Jarhead67 said:
Won’t they “Grandfather” them in?
Click to expand...
I wish. If it’s 1975 or older, it doesn’t have to be smogged…everything after that has to be put through the wringer for that annual registration sticker. I think depending on the amount you drive per year you can get an exemption, but not sure at all.
 

89Foxx!

Member
Aug 24, 2024
8
5
13
Rio Vista, Ca.
Nov 23, 2024
#17
  • Nov 23, 2024
  • #17
gkomo said:
I'm also a California smog required Fox owner. To your question as to when will these cars just not pass smog, I think it comes down to how long will the catalytic converters last. The one i just bought in September had the (i assume) original H-pipe on it, and it failed smog. I didn't want to go through the motions of scouring FB Marketplace or whatever, installing and testing random H-pipes, so i ended up paying big bucks for the Magnaflow C.A.R.B. legal xpipe. Passed smog with flying colors. For how long after the 5 year emissions warranty... thats the $2,200 question.
Click to expand...
CARB I warn folks who don’t live in CA to be ready, what happens here ends up moving its way east. I haven’t brought mine in for a smog yet due to a code 91..o2 sensor…hopefully:/ I hope I don’t have to go down the new cat road…that will be a tough one to hide from the wife
 
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89Foxx!

Member
Aug 24, 2024
8
5
13
Rio Vista, Ca.
Nov 23, 2024
#18
  • Nov 23, 2024
  • #18
91AOD5.0LX said:
As much of a downer NYS is with everything, even they don’t do emissions on cars 25 years or older.
“Safety check” only with the Fox.
If the lights and brakes work with no windshield cracks and the seatbelts look good then your good to go out the door with a pass sticker. No smell test at all.
Click to expand...
Yeah, these law makers out here have it out for gas and diesel. CA was one of the top hot rod states in the US and now you can’t hardly mod anything, it’s like they’re trying to kill an entire culture of anyone who wants to go fast…in Mexico
 

89Foxx!

Member
Aug 24, 2024
8
5
13
Rio Vista, Ca.
Nov 23, 2024
#19
  • Nov 23, 2024
  • #19
nickyb said:
And that's a big reason so many are moving from Komifornia to my easy smog state of Nevada.
My 93 passes smog every year (17so far) with a BBK two cat xpipe and an SLP loudmouth cat back.
Click to expand...
My dad lives in Grass Valley about an hour and half from me and he doesn’t have to smog his vehicle. I need to register my cars at his address and just be done with it. He’s in Nevada County I’m pretty sure…not sure how that works.
 
Reactions: nickyb

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
Apr 3, 2009
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nevada
Nov 23, 2024
#20
  • Nov 23, 2024
  • #20
Way easy here in Nevada, they check gas cap,pop hood and place something like a timing light clip on the dist., and probes in tailpipes
About seven minutes of varied idle speed and done.
 
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