Cali smog & title problems!

[BIGburb1989]

so here is the nightmare Im living. Ill give you the short version. I bought my suburban, it doesnt pass smog, I cant get my title issued to me. It wont pass smog anytime soon and im not going to try to revert it back to stock. Im in the military, im from florida. im wondering if there is a way to transfer the title without smog, or some loophole, from cali to florida. any help or suggestions?

[68Timber]

Best bet would be to try the Florida DMV and see if you can get a replacement title there if you can establish ownership. You are not going to get far if you mention the CA smog issues. Not that I'm trying to help you do something illegal, FL either issues replacement titles or it does not and the current smog status with CA is really irrelevant to them.

[BIGburb1989]

thanks for the input ill look more into it. i was searching google and I found something on the CA dmv called "11.030 transfer of title only". does anyone have expereince with these? they way I understand it is, your just transfering ownership, not attempting to make it a registerable/roadworthy. my thought is that I can get a title issued that way, and then transfer to florida and get a normal operating title.
p.s not looking to do anything illegal

Thanks

[Irish1941]

Not if I understand you right.
So won't pass smog here got that but are you trying to take it out of state and need CA title or keep it here and put FL title on it?
There is ways to title it and all above board.

Here is something bet you didn't know...
If you buy a car/truck in California and seller DID NOT give you a current smog cert, the seller is on the hook for ALL repairs to make it pass smog regardless of sold "as is where is"
Law on the books and DMV is cracking down on the sellers.

[K5owner]

Irish is right. However if the vehicle is sold as a "parts truck " or for parts only the seller is not responsible for it failing smog because technically they didn't sell you a vehicle they sold you parts.

[Irish1941]

Originally Posted by K5owner

Irish is right. However if the vehicle is sold as a "parts truck " or for parts only the seller is not responsible for it failing smog because technically they didn't sell you a vehicle they sold you parts.

Absolutely. Need to hear back from OP what the deal is.
If it was non-op as well, you're kinda holding the bag on that as well however if it was sold as a reg'd, driving truck and didn't pass smog that is on the seller.
I see these ads where guys put "won't pass smog you deal with it"...and they are just hanging themselves.
My current truck, I ask seller does it have current smog? He says no but he'll do it tomorrow.
I call him next day and if it passed? Oh for sure it did!
I pay and ask for smog papers. Oh...smog printer broke but it passed! You can take it by there.
Turns out it didn't pass smog. I could have nailed him for it but let it slide as he was just another broke a$$ desert dweller.

CA smog laws aren't bad either. It is checked at vehicle model yr. '87 is checked at '87 levels. If in tune it will pass. It ain't hard...
You just need need to know how to beat them at their own game.
It's clowns that figure they can stuff a '72 BBC into a '87 K10 and get away with it. Or it was a diesel and now gas and you NEVER have to do smog again.

[K5owner]

Originally Posted by Irish1941

CA smog laws aren't bad either. It is checked at vehicle model yr. '87 is checked at '87 levels. If in tune it will pass. It ain't hard...
You just need need to know how to beat them at their own game.
It's clowns that figure they can stuff a '72 BBC into a '87 K10 and get away with it. Or it was a diesel and now gas and you NEVER have to do smog again.

I agree that they aren't that bad put the problem I have found is many smog techs don't know how to properly inspect or test a vehicle. For example my 1986 K10 is a federal emissions vehicle that I replaced the original tired 350 with a GM goodwrench replacement engine. The smog tech failed me on the visual because the timing was at 14 degres instead of 4. However he didn't read the core support decal (which clearly states it is a federal emission vehicle so held to a different emissions standard then a CA emissions vehicle) and disconnect and plug the vacuum advance before he tested the timing. Also I have some edelbrock TES CARB legal headers on it (couldnt locate an uncracked set of factory manifolds) and he said they weren't legal. I showed him the CARB EO number stamped on the headers, the CARB EO decal with the exemption number on it and he still said no. I contested and took it to another shop where the older gentleman knew exactly how to test it correctly and it passed with flying colors. Also he said the headers were legal. I am a firm believer that once you find someone who knows what they are doing to stick with them as they will only not get to know you but more importantly know your vehicle.

[imjeff]

When I was in the service my vehicles were allowed to be licensed in my home state. I don't know what the smog rules are in Florida, but doubt they're as horrid as Cali. I would try to title and license it in Florida if possible. You wouldn't be dodging anything. It's a benefit of serving. Thank you for your service!

Jeff

[BIGburb1989]

so trying to clear things up, what my plan is: get some type of California title issued. Then take said title to florida where I have a residence, and transfer the title, therfore making it a Florida vehicle.

my problem is I need a California, which I am having a hard time getting.

[BIGburb1989]

thanks imjeff, and you are right, I am techinically a florida resident, therefore my vehicles can be out of state vehicles, even though I am in california for the time.

CALI = smog law nightmare

FLORIDA = zero smog regulations

[BIGburb1989]

Irish 1941, Im not trying to make it operable, my question is, can I get a title of ownership, by make the vehicle a planned non op. once i get the title, it will go to Florida.

[tony58]

Originally Posted by BIGburb1989

Irish 1941, Im not trying to make it operable, my question is, can I get a title of ownership, by make the vehicle a planned non op. once i get the title, it will go to Florida.

Doesn't Fla have an inspection program before they will issue title? Which means you have to have vehicle in Fla to be inspected.

[Irish1941]

Just clear it up...
non-op title = yes as long as you're SURE it was non-op.
"If the vehicle will not be operated as to cause fees to become due, a Statement of Facts (REG 256) for “Title Only” and a Planned Non-Operation Certification (REG 102)
must be completed by the new owner and submitted with the transfer application."

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/reg_hdbk/ch11/ch11_7.htm

[BIGburb1989]

yes they do have an inspection, but I check out the situation and they gave me the paperwork; which allows any law enforcement officer, military or civilian to conduct the inspection. any ways I think I have things figured out for now. we shall see!

[Edahall]

Converting your Suburban to diesel would be a way to pass CA smog.

[64swb]

Is the registration on it current? Even if it is behind you just have to get it up to date, then put it on a non-op status. (reg. has to be no more than 90 days from expiration date to file a planned non-op). There is no smog required for transfers on a non-op. I had a '77 Chevy I bought that wouldn't pass smog for transfer, paid the non op fee, got title in hand and fixed it as I had the time. PM me with the details of your purchase/paperwork and I can give you a better idea on what you have to do to get a title issued to you.
-Chris

[mattcrp1]

I have had good luck on a few vehicles here in California just doing the transfer into non-op. You get a title and no registration. When I buy a project that is the first thing I do before I spend one dollar on it. I used to do vehicle verification's and became pretty familiar with it. There are also companies that do this sort of thing mail order. They will take care of the paper work and you pay them a fee and you get a title. Good luck.