CA Engine Swap Laws/Question

[JEM]

Originally Posted by 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.

That wouldn't exclude the swap.

Basically, the engine must be of the same year or later and must have originated from a vehicle of the same class (that is, no 8600GVW TBI 454s in passenger cars or sub-8600GVW trucks.) It must be equipped with all OE smog equipment including cats in the original location (usually this means stock exhaust manifolds, sometimes something EOd for the engine's original application.) In his case, the engine would have to have been a half-ton truck 454 ('90-93 4554SS) with the proper part serial #s and all the smog equipment for that application.

It has nothing to do with the original type of engine, there are RX-7s running around legally with LS2s in them. Sometimes they get a bit persnickety about the details; I believe it's still the case that if you want to (legally) put a 351W in a Fox Mustang you need to have a block with the same part number used in the '95 Cobra R (the same block used in the '93-95 Lightning pickup and some other '90s half-ton pickups) because that was the only 351W passenger-car application of that era.

There are some vehicles, like Fox/SN95 Mustang V8s, that come in for such scrutiny from the state on smog-check results that many smog-test outfits just won't even touch them.

Vehicles 1975 and earlier are not subject to biennial smog inspection, but legally they're supposed to retain original smog equipment. I believe '66(?)-75 are still required to be smogged on transfer of ownership. There are still some counties in the state that do not require biennial smog inspection.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by JEM

Vehicles 1975 and earlier are not subject to biennial smog inspection, but legally they're supposed to retain original smog equipment. I believe '66(?)-75 are still required to be smogged on transfer of ownership. There are still some counties in the state that do not require biennial smog inspection.

Any pre-76 vehicle is not subject to a smog check even upon transfer of ownership.

[mattcrp1]

I called the BAR and spoke to some one there and they said same year or newer and/or same size or bigger. As i understood you could not go smaller in engine size. And per what ia was told it made no difference to go gas to diesel. But like the CA DMV it is most likley subject to the person you spoke to that day.

[Gregs71]

Sounds like your on your way...

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by mattcrp1

But like the CA DMV it is most likley subject to the person you spoke to that day.

This is 100% correct.

[Gregs71]

I was thinking about this topic. What about a crate motor from the dealer, or a rebuilt from Kragen? Is there no numbers on the block? If I put a crate motor (similar to stock) or kragen motor in my 1987, I don't think anybody would ever call me on it, would they?? Not sure how that could even be enforced.

[Kixwy2]

This is one of the reasons I have a pre-1975...

FWIW, I bought my truck from a private party, transfered the title, and didn't need to do a smog check upon transfer. About 8 months later I did an engine swap in my truck with a brand new crate engine from Jegs. It's still a 350, but stronger and with a higher compression ratio.

Although I don't need a smog inspection every other year, right now I have most of the smog gear still attached. I do plan on getting rid of the air rails at some point. I think AceX is pretty right on in the requirements in CA.

I do have a buddy that tried to put in a 454 in his C10 when the engine blew, and it failed the test b/c the 454 wasn't available for his model/year. So the truck's been sitting for the last nine years behind his house, unused.

[rfmaster]

Originally Posted by Kixwy2

This is one of the reasons I have a pre-1975...

FWIW, I bought my truck from a private party, transfered the title, and didn't need to do a smog check upon transfer. About 8 months later I did an engine swap in my truck with a brand new crate engine from Jegs. It's still a 350, but stronger and with a higher compression ratio.

Although I don't need a smog inspection every other year, right now I have most of the smog gear still attached. I do plan on getting rid of the air rails at some point. I think AceX is pretty right on in the requirements in CA.

I do have a buddy that tried to put in a 454 in his C10 when the engine blew, and it failed the test b/c the 454 wasn't available for his model/year. So the truck's been sitting for the last nine years behind his house, unused.

What Model year is your friends truck? You can install 454 TBI system which was available from 87 - 95 on 3/4 and 1 tons (standard HP rating 250HP, but can be easily upped). Also, for 90-93 Chevrolet 454 SS was offered as a high performance full size pickup that mated the C1500 standard two wheel drive cab with an absolutely killer 454ci with 3 speed automatic transmission and a 3.73 rear axle ratio.

//RF

[Goldfinger]

Thank god for Florida no emissions check

[rfmaster]

Originally Posted by Goldfinger

Thank god for Florida no emissions check

Well, God has nothing to do with smog check, but lazy, good for nothing eco friendly bureaucrats make these decision when persuaded by eco-lobbyist and test equipment manufactures. In the end it all means very little as China, as of today, is the biggest (and growing) car market in the world with worst emission standards overall. India is not too far behind. Do not see too many eco-lobbyists there! No matter how they (state gov, CARB, EPA) try to spin this 'clean air' is just another form of taxation and jobs destruction. Once government starts taxing you on something it is next to impossible to 'ween' them off! Had enough already???

//RF

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by rfmaster

Well, God has nothing to do with smog check, but lazy, good for nothing eco friendly bureaucrats make these decision when persuaded by eco-lobbyist .....

//RF

Yeah. Right. They're those same guys that Titled, Smogged and Licensed this specially constructed, one of a kind chassis running a 12 cylinder M-47 TANK engine. Take a close look at the rear view. Is that a Califiornia TAG? Why yes, it is!
They may be jerks but it's still possible to title and license a 32 Ford runninng a mid fifties Chrysler 392 Hemi!

[rfmaster]

Originally Posted by Fitz

Yeah. Right. They're those same guys that Titled, Smogged and Licensed this specially constructed, one of a kind chassis running a 12 cylinder M-47 TANK engine. Take a close look at the rear view. Is that a Califiornia TAG? Why yes, it is!
They may be jerks but it's still possible to title and license a 32 Ford runninng a mid fifties Chrysler 392 Hemi!

'32 Ford had no smog requirements and is treated as such. As long as you have vin and title paperwork that states as original 1932 construction you can do what ever you like.

On the other hand specialty constructed vehicles (without pre 1960 VIN i.e. before smog requirements) is a completely different problem when it comes to titling. For full gory details see here:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/spcnsreg.htm

You have to camp out (or make an appointment) around DMV on the first day of the New Year for a chance for 500 spots allocated for such vehicles!!
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/spcns.htm

It is a royal pita, but it is an eco-bureaucrats dream!

//RF