CA Engine Swap Laws/Question

[JCampbell]

Anyone savvy to the engine swap laws in California? Like, first hand “I’ve done it” savvy?

I read through this page and though it was pretty basic, I thought it would be beneficial to pass on:

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Che..._V-8_Smog.html

My specific question is admittedly based on hearsay and this is where I could use some clarification.

I have heard two variations of what is basically the same concept. First: the c.i.d. of the engine to be swapped (ex: 454 c.i., 350 c.i., 351 c.i., etc.) must have been originally offered from the factory for that make and model year. Second: the specific make and model of the engine to be swapped (ex: GM 454, GM 350, Ford 351) must have been originally offered from the factory for that make and model year.

Basically, what I want to know is, can I drop a ‘88+ 454 into my ’88 ¾ ton 4x4 Suburban? Even though 454’s were available in the Subs for my model year, they were not available in the 4x4’s.

Does that disqualify me? I would appreciate any clarification from those who’ve gone down this road.

[Matt Man]

Well if it came in a 2wd whats the difference if it's in a 4wd? Thats a weird one. I think you will be ok though.

[1LowToy]

I think your question would be better addressed to the California Bureau of Automotive repair. I have asked that same question. The motors may be changed provided they came from the same type of vehicle i.e. passenger car to passenger car, half ton to half ton, 3/4 ton to 3/4 ton and all emissions equipment go along with it. The guy I spoke with was very in tune with the subject. I don't know about 2wd to 4wd. We reviewed my last smog check on my 79 and he noted the extreem lean condition just by the exhaust readings. Check it out myself and foung the carb slightly loose and a small hole in the PCV hose. Definately a bad thing.

[JCampbell]

I was planning on calling a few Refs...just wanted to see if anyone had ever come across an issue like this before and if/how they resolved it.

[billnorman]

Originally I was going to blast the great state of California for restricting your choices. I erased it, and just give you my condolences for living in such a mommy state that tells you what you can drive. If it's true that you must have an engine that was offered in that same model year, I'm glad I don't live there. How does Jay Leno get away with his stable of hot rods?

[1LowToy]

Originally Posted by billnorman

How does Jay Leno get away with his stable of hot rods?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[3r!c84]

Originally Posted by 1LowToy

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

and that big chin

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by billnorman

Originally I was going to blast the great state of California for restricting your choices. I erased it, and just give you my condolences for living in such a mommy state that tells you what you can drive. If it's true that you must have an engine that was offered in that same model year, I'm glad I don't live there. How does Jay Leno get away with his stable of hot rods?

There are no emissions requirements/restrictions on any vehicle older than 1976. I think most of Leno's hotrods fall into that category. The great weather and hot chicks make me glad I live here.

[JCampbell]

Wow Bill, thanks for that needless insight. I was hoping somebody would step up and turn my valid post into a pointless political soapbox, thus obliterating any chance of me getting any real feedback.

Yes, I agree, CA is a Nanny State and the smog laws suck. I'm simply trying to play cards with the hand I was dealt. So unless you have something relevant to contribute, please keep the irrelevant grandstanding to yourself.

[leddzepp]

"I've done it" LOL

I put a SBC 350 in one of my Jeep CJ's. I was told as long as a V-8 was offered for that year originally, it would be no problem. I had to have all the emissions controls specific to the year of the Jeep. I went to a referee and they certified it and put a sticker on my kick panel with a barcode on it so when I went to get it smogged, they could verify the engine was now coded to my Jeep. Hope this helps. I would check with a referee too, as the rules may have changed since I did this.

[JCampbell]

Right on, Man. Thanks for the insight.

[OJOE]

i dont understand. so there is no t buckets running around in ca w/v8s?

[87Bob]

All this Makes me glad I live in INDIANA

[So. OxnarDreamn]

JCampbell I'm spining my wheels with same dilema. I bought a 85 Silverado 2wd/Shortbed with a 1972 Chevy 350+700R4 and I'm going to have to buy the Smog Equipment or pay my old boss $200 for a 'GHOST' Smog Certificate...

[Damien]

Do they check the numbers on the engine? How do the inspetors know what year the engine is? If it has the cat, PCV, EVAP, and AIR, why would they look at the year of the block?

[AceX]

So long as the motor you are putting in is the same year, or newer than the chassis, you're ok provided that you also swap over all the factory emissions equipment from the new motor. Everything that has to deal with the exhaust and the cats must be exactly the same as it was from the factory. Some refs will fail you if the angle or distance to the cats has been changed at all. Also, the transmission must be the same that came with that motor, not one that was offered, but with that exact motor.

[motornut]

hmmmm up here we have emmissions testing,
changing the engine displacement,or cam
to something not offered would make you exempt,
but you can still be fined for not having cats ,
and other factory smog stuff,air pump,
like factory air breather,(even just flipping the lid),exposes the filter element

i understand our emmission guides used here are from Cali

[manimal]

California Engine Swap Guidelines
1. The engine must be from the same year or newer vehicle. For example, if the car is a 1999 Civic, the engine must be from a 1999 or newer car.

2. The engine can be larger than the original, but it cannot be from a heavy-duty vehicle, unless the vehicle was equipped with one from the factory.

3. The engine and chassis must have all of their original emissions components in place and functioning properly. However, mixing and matching emissions parts from different vehicles is generally not allowed. As such it's up to the reff to decide what needs to be there. A quick way to see what you need there is to look at the sticker under the hood. It will list all the emissions equipment that came on the car.

4. A federally certified engine cannot be used in a vehicle that was originally equipped with a California certified engine.

BUY THE BOOK

For the best information on smog laws in California, go to your local Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) office, and purchase the Smog Check Inspection Manual. To find one near you, look in the phone book in the "State Government Offices" section, under "Automotive Repair Bureau". This book is filled with valuable information, and it has important phone numbers should you have any questions about your swap. Cost of the book is less than $20.

I just took this info from import tuner mag.Hope this helps Campy

[JCampbell]

Thanks, Broseph.

[manimal]

No prob.

[So. OxnarDreamn]

Thanks for the info. AceX & manimal, I guess I will have to pay for the "ghost" smog inspection because I have an 85 Shortbed w/ a 350 from 1972 and who the hell knows where the transmission[700r4] came from..."CA. needs to change the exempt year up to 1986 instead of 76"

[BIG V]

I've done it a few times..

i put a 1997 vortec 4.3 in to a 87 jeep wrangler. it took a couple trips to the referee but as long as the emmissions equipment out of the 97 s10 blazer was on it it passed, however the y pipe couldnt be modifyed at one referee and the next didnt care.

i put a 1998 454 in to my 1986 burban with the 4l80e and all however the biggest problem with that one was the speedsensor took forever to get to pass because i put a tone ring inside the output of the 205 i was running and one referee said it was modifyed the other didnt care. so to stop babbeling just include all emmissions in the new vehicle you shouldnt have a problem but do not expect to pass the first time.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by So. OxnarDreamn

Thanks for the info. AceX & manimal, I guess I will have to pay for the "ghost" smog inspection because I have an 85 Shortbed w/ a 350 from 1972 and who the hell knows where the transmission[700r4] came from..."CA. needs to change the exempt year up to 1986 instead of 76"

Probably your best (and least expensive) option for now.

[spinem]

yes, you must have ALL SMOG EQUIPMENT, everything, from the factory 1header shut off heat riser to the stock intake. and it must be passing with flying colors, oil is ok, just not ritch, if you ask me, not worth it, but if u have the money, do it.

[Gregs71]

one ref won't pass my bosses 454 tbi in his 85 jeep b/c the "frame was not meant for that big of a motor". Best bet is talk to the guy doing the inspection.