Cats on a QV? | FerrariChat
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Cats on a QV?

Discussion in '308/328' started by t3thomas, Sep 23, 2008.

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  1. t3thomas

    t3thomas Formula Junior

    May 9, 2008
    427
    North Carolina
    Full Name:
    GThomas
    #1 t3thomas, Sep 23, 2008
    Did the American version QV's have catalitic converters on them? Mine is an '84 Euro version and has all the other emmissions equipment but no cats? Rimcabi doesn't show that they are optional for the US versions and I'm just doing a little research. Thanks!
     
  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,932
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #2 Steve Magnusson, Sep 23, 2008
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2008
    Yes, they do. (The SPC library at Ricambi doesn't yet include the 308QV US versions which are completely different manuals -- it's only on the later models that they went to the documentation structure having all versions in one SPC manual):

    1983 US 308QV = 2 small cats (similar to those used on the earlier US 308-2Vi)

    1984 & 1985 US 308QV = 1 large cat (same exact PN as used on a TR or 328)

    Please describe what you mean by "other emission equipment" -- air injection, fuel evap control system, etc.?

    When you say "euro", do you mean an unmolested euro or a euro converted/partially converted to US specs? It's actually much harder to (really) turn a euro 308QV into a 1984 US version than it is to turn it into a 1983 US version because of the "Lambda" addition to the fuel injection system (even though a 1983 and 1984 euro 308QV are identical).

    If you've got access to the Owners Site (www.ferrariowners.com), you can download .pdf copies of the 308QV US OMs that have very good illustrations (and reasonable descriptions) of their exhaust and emission systems.
     
  3. t3thomas

    t3thomas Formula Junior

    May 9, 2008
    427
    North Carolina
    Full Name:
    GThomas
    #3 t3thomas, Sep 24, 2008
    Thanks for the response Steve. My car only has the fuel evap. control system and no cat(s) or air injection. One of the reasons that I am doing some research into the car is to determine what might be necessary to make it a 'legal' US version. The 8-12 numbers of the VIN are B0000 which apparently indicate it is a Euro version, not manufactured for the US. From what I can determine the car was brought into the US in 92-93 and titled in Chicago, then later titled in NJ. The DMV in my state has not reissued the title to me and sent an inspector to look at the car and verify a 'match' of the VIN to the title. The inspector told me they could not find any records of it being brought into the country and that is is considered a 'gray-market' vehicle.

    So to truthfully answer your question, I would have to say it is a partially converted euro w/ only fuel evap. control, which may/may not be operating as oniginally intended if at all.

    Also, thanks for the advice on the members section information. I'll be sure to take a look.
     
  4. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    #4 f355spider, Sep 24, 2008
    Not sure about IL, but in many states, after 25 years emission tests/checks are no longer required, so the DMV doesn't care. Also, even if they do, if you can get them to pass it by the "sniff test" with a sensor up the tail pipe, you can often have a car with mechanical FI like your qv set up to pass. Particularly because the standards set for a 1980's vintage car are not very stringent, compared to modern requirements today. So you get the FI adjusted pretty lean, dump a can of that "guaranteed to pass" stuff in the tank and give it a go. I had friends with 80's vintage Ferraris that had the cats removed and would still pass the emission test no problem here in WA State. Just had to have it leaned out some.

    Also look into "collector car" registration, which can also skip an emission test. But often times the car must be at least 30 years old to qualify...again, check with your DMV.
     

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