Dependable info on CA motor swaps please.
02-09-12, 07:02 PM
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Dependable info on CA motor swaps please.
My 84 SE is having a coolant seal issue and I need to replace the motor. I am having quiet some trouble finding a replacement that's under 3k. I would like to put a 13brew or T2 motor. Does anyone have info on making the car Ca smog legal while putting one of these motors in? Is it even possible. My SE is my daily driver, any helpful info will be muchley appreciated. I have tried to research and having a hard time finding DEPENDABLE information.
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02-09-12, 07:25 PM
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as far as i understand it, the rules are that the engine you put in must 1. be from a car that was sold in california, no trucks no JDM engines*. 2. be the same year or newer, and 3 have ALL the emissions parts on it for the year of the engine.
you are supposed to put the new engine in, and go to the smog referee, and they make sure you have ALL the correct parts, they have a list. then the referee puts a plate on the car, and the smog guy just smogs it like its an FD, or corvette or daihatsu charade or whatever.
i find in practice the rotary people can skip the referee step, because nobody knows WTF the stock engine looked like anyways, but YMMV
so if you put an FD engine in, it needs both turbos, both cats, the stock ecu, etc etc.
an LS1, requires all the OBD2 evap stuff be plumbed into the tank etc etc
it kind of sucks we need to do EVERYTHING, but on the other hand its pretty straightforward
*we're a little lucky in that the JDM engines are almost the same you could just use the US ecu, except the cosmo 13B and 20B, those cannot be made legal, as they were never sold here, even though it would pass out the tailpipe
you are supposed to put the new engine in, and go to the smog referee, and they make sure you have ALL the correct parts, they have a list. then the referee puts a plate on the car, and the smog guy just smogs it like its an FD, or corvette or daihatsu charade or whatever.
i find in practice the rotary people can skip the referee step, because nobody knows WTF the stock engine looked like anyways, but YMMV
so if you put an FD engine in, it needs both turbos, both cats, the stock ecu, etc etc.
an LS1, requires all the OBD2 evap stuff be plumbed into the tank etc etc
it kind of sucks we need to do EVERYTHING, but on the other hand its pretty straightforward
*we're a little lucky in that the JDM engines are almost the same you could just use the US ecu, except the cosmo 13B and 20B, those cannot be made legal, as they were never sold here, even though it would pass out the tailpipe
02-09-12, 11:06 PM
#3
FB+FC=F-ME
I have run a S5 TII engine for about 10 years now,CA legal.
Yes,you must swap everything from the doner car for it to be legal.That said,its not that hard since OBD 0 stuff is pretty straightforward.You need an understanding of EFI and the ability to work with a fair amount of wiring,as you will be making a few things from scratch.When I won best 1st gen at Sevenstock 8 the one and only question they asked me on stage was "How do you do a smog legal TII swap?".....so as you can guess,its a pretty common question.
Reff's have no problem approving a PROPERLY executed engine swap. They are not the enemy,although it always seems that people reffer to them as such.They operate by the rules,as govt. employees.If you follow the rules and stick to the allowed parameters the reff will clear you everytime.Ive built and cleared 6 cars now(3 RX's,1 Honda GSR and 2 GM TBI swaps) and Ive never had any problems that werent legit mistakes on my part.The reff pointed them out,I resolved the issue and they cleared me without hesitation.
Once you get your sticker,then more options will open up. As j9fd3s said,most smog shops dont know one model year engine from another.Plus,there are lots of EFI rotary mods that are either smog legal or invisible to the eye and dont effect smog. I run a TO4B hybrid turbo and there is almost no way to tell visually,.....along with 800cc secondary injectors that are also invisible. FMIC,cold air intake,boost controller,MSD ignition and a mild streetport.......I smog every time with all of them intact.
Yes,you must swap everything from the doner car for it to be legal.That said,its not that hard since OBD 0 stuff is pretty straightforward.You need an understanding of EFI and the ability to work with a fair amount of wiring,as you will be making a few things from scratch.When I won best 1st gen at Sevenstock 8 the one and only question they asked me on stage was "How do you do a smog legal TII swap?".....so as you can guess,its a pretty common question.
Reff's have no problem approving a PROPERLY executed engine swap. They are not the enemy,although it always seems that people reffer to them as such.They operate by the rules,as govt. employees.If you follow the rules and stick to the allowed parameters the reff will clear you everytime.Ive built and cleared 6 cars now(3 RX's,1 Honda GSR and 2 GM TBI swaps) and Ive never had any problems that werent legit mistakes on my part.The reff pointed them out,I resolved the issue and they cleared me without hesitation.
Once you get your sticker,then more options will open up. As j9fd3s said,most smog shops dont know one model year engine from another.Plus,there are lots of EFI rotary mods that are either smog legal or invisible to the eye and dont effect smog. I run a TO4B hybrid turbo and there is almost no way to tell visually,.....along with 800cc secondary injectors that are also invisible. FMIC,cold air intake,boost controller,MSD ignition and a mild streetport.......I smog every time with all of them intact.
02-12-12, 02:16 AM
#5
FB+FC=F-ME
It's never come up.
I don think there are really any differences between CA and 49 state engines,at least not when FC's are concerned.
Ive never seen a TII that didnt have 2 cats,or a S5 that had EGR,or any rotary that lacked air injection.Thats what its all about.....having all the right systems intact.When you go to the reff,you "declare" to him your specific combo of chassis and engine.He looks up each vehicle in his book and inspects/tests your car to be sure it has all the systems required.If all components are intact and functioning,then a tailpipe test is done and you are finished. The BAR sticker lists them as acronyms....PCV,AIR,EGR,EFI,CAT,O2,MIL....ect after showing what make and year the doner vehicle was.Turbo or N/A is never mentioned,nor are CA or Fed standard.
There may be a rule,but Ive never come across it.You might not be able to by new 49 state cars in CA,but used cars,especially 25-30 year old ones are everywhere in CA.I think it will be moot soon anyways since the majority of states have adopted CA's smog standards,as they usually do with most things.
I don think there are really any differences between CA and 49 state engines,at least not when FC's are concerned.
Ive never seen a TII that didnt have 2 cats,or a S5 that had EGR,or any rotary that lacked air injection.Thats what its all about.....having all the right systems intact.When you go to the reff,you "declare" to him your specific combo of chassis and engine.He looks up each vehicle in his book and inspects/tests your car to be sure it has all the systems required.If all components are intact and functioning,then a tailpipe test is done and you are finished. The BAR sticker lists them as acronyms....PCV,AIR,EGR,EFI,CAT,O2,MIL....ect after showing what make and year the doner vehicle was.Turbo or N/A is never mentioned,nor are CA or Fed standard.
There may be a rule,but Ive never come across it.You might not be able to by new 49 state cars in CA,but used cars,especially 25-30 year old ones are everywhere in CA.I think it will be moot soon anyways since the majority of states have adopted CA's smog standards,as they usually do with most things.
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