some cars of the past were not required to have catalytic converters, yet some manufacturers employed them anyways.

what do these abbreviations mean, i need to know before i go to get my car smogged:
EFI (i know this, Electronic Fuel Injection)
TWC?
CL?

Edit: i did do a search, however i didnt find anything.

 

anyone?

 

How about some context?
Where are you finding the abbreviations?
What are you concerned about with what car when getting it smogged?

 

they are under the hood.

its a 1980 Datsun 280ZX w/ no catalytic converter.

 

Chances are:

CL = Closed Loop
TWC = Three Way Catalyst. Takes care of NOx, CO, and hydrcarbons.

I found them here: [EFI Reference Acronyms]

I put this "EFI TWC CL" into Google and that link was the 4th pick on the list

jason

 

Did it come with a cat or has the exhaust been modified? The factory wouldn't put a cat on the car unless they needed it to meet emissions, especially if it has a single cat. I wouldn't buy an old car that has its smog devices removed or disabled. It's more trouble than a new one to source the replacement parts for smog inspections.

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

it "came" modified.

i actually took part in putting on an aftermarket exhaust which removed the cat, before i bought it.

do they check older cars for the visual inspection even if it passes a gas test?

 

They are supposed to visually check any cars that require a bi-annual smog check. On older vehicles, this might be as simple as checking for a working PCV valve. Some shops are more strict than others, but it probably also depends on the technician. Keep in mind that if they get caught by the CARB (CA Air Resources Board), they are hit with a fine costing many times what they charge for the test and certificate.

Another point is that if the car's emissions were calibrated to work with a cat, it might be pretty tough to get it to pass even the sniffer test. The working cat reduces emissions to almost zero levels compared with a car without one. Even the WRX might be able to pass with just one of the three cats, but without it, no way.

I'm assuming you've tossed the old exhaust? If you fail the smog test, some shop should be able to hook you up with replacement cat.

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

yes, the old exhaust is gone.
im going to be pretesting the car monday at my school.
if it passes the sniffer test, should i take it and just get it smogged at a shop, and hope they dont look for a cat?

 

I guess it's worth a try, if it passes the sniffer. Can your school actually run official smog tests and issue certificates?

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

Not yet. Our dyno hasnt been installed yet and the teacher hasnt finished his L1 yet.

but we do have a gas analyzer.

 

Technically, in CA any WRX with a catless uppipe will fail. Removal of any of the three cats is not permitted. The technician may not notice the catless uppipe because most people put the heat shield back over it. If the remaining two cats are in place, a WRX shouldn't have any problem passing the sniffer as long as the car is thoroughly warmed prior to the test. Aftermarket catbacks have no real effect on tailpipe emissions.

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

ALL cars sold in the us from 1974 require a catalytic converter, so yes your 1980 needs one, and all cats nowadays, and for as long as they have been using monolith types, are three-way.