Heyo everyone. I'm new here, just picked up an 83 a few weeks back and want to get started on my plans for it, but before hand I wan't to make sure I can do so legally in California.

I've done a fair bit of snooping around and realize you can easily and legally swap a 13B into a FB, but I have a goal for up to 300hp so I need to know the details on running an EMS and CA smog. From what I understand so far is both the S4 and S5 are OBD0, meaning they do not need to plug into the machine at the smog check, essentially making and EMS invisible to the computer, and as long as the emissions equipment is in place I'm good to go? I plan on running a hybrid turbo so that should help to maintain the stock look, and nothing too fancy in the bay.

Just looking for someone to confirm this or point me in the right direction. Thanks guys!

-Chris

 

I would assume as long as you use the FD Smog equipment, should not be a problem (FB's were available with a 13b on the SE models).

 

I was actually looking at S4 & S5 motors. New enough for EFI Turbo, but old enough to still be lenient on smog qualifications.

 

the rules are that you need to run an engine that is from a car; not a truck, check. the engine needs to be the same year as the car, so 83-2015, model year. the engine also needs to have been sold in California new, so the 20B and 13B-RE are out.

the engine needs ALL of the smog equipment appropriate to the year of the engine. so an Rx8, or LS engine would need all the evap nonsense that is on the gas tank.

in a normal smog check, they only plug into the 95 and newer cars, but if you go to the BAR, they will actually look at all the emissions equipment, including the ecu, although the ECU cover unscrews, and the racers have stuck all kinds of aftermarket ECU's in the stock case..... or have a stock ecu and a not stock ecu.

for power HKS and GReddy both had CARB legal turbo/intake/exhaust/intercoolers, there is a list of CARB legal stuff, so 300hp is pretty easy, although it may look a bit different than most other builds.

 

Thank you very much that pretty much tells me what I need to know. Do you think a hybrid S5 turbo could visually pass for stock?

 

Are bribes out of the question over there?

 

yes, some of them you can machine the stock housing and put the bigger wheel in it

 

In California? Probably. Never tried lol. I tried smogging my Corolla with a CARB legal CAI and Celica ECU. When they went to hook it up the guy said he wouldn't even touch the car so I had to make a custom loom for swapping ECUs. When I smog my Corolla I swap the Celica ECU back to stock but it's the same wiring harness. This will be the most involved car project I have ever done, but I wan't it all legal and don't to invest time or money until I know it will work.

 

^ I know the feeling. Same thing with boats over here.

I don't like DNR and they seem hell bent on taking every last dime from you now. It wasn't so bad a few years ago, walk in tell them you have a boat and get your sticker for a few bucks. BUT now they NEED all kinds of info and they want to see the boat. I mean come on ITS A BOAT people. But I guess I've never tried bribing them; maybe I should next time.