The California emissions built car might have changes such as an additional converter (2 instead of 1), differently cylinder head, cams, ign and computer.

Converters sold in California for use on a California emissions built cars must be California emissions board (CARB) approved. The part would be marked with some kind of approval number. This means the part manufacturer submitted the item for approval.

The California part could be the same part sold in the 49 states but the California part has CARB approval. Since your car is Federal emissions you should be able to use a 49 state converter.

Supposedly a properly tuned and operating 49 State emission car should pass the standard. Also in 1993 Federal emissions standards may have close to California standards.

Was the car ever tested in the state it came from and did it pass? The car may just have high emissions.

How does the engine run, OK, rough, etc.

What is the cars MPG at this time?

I'm sure the car passed smog in New Mexico which is where it is currently register. I assumes it would need smog in order to renew its tag each year. As for the car, it has 140K mileage and runs great but seem to eat more gas (would expect this for its age).

3 questions:

1) Is this a sign of a bad head gasket if I see some white steam (not much) and water coming out of the tail pipe after it's warm up and when I press on the gas pedal. No smoke when it sit idle.
2) Would a bad head gasket contribute to a fail smog?
3) Sorry, still not fully under this but a Cal. approved CAT should work with a car made to Fed. standards but would it cause the smog to fail if not. What is a CARB approve?

Thanks again.