I'm interested in a Turbo conversion, but what's the deal with getting the car to pass smog? I know I have to take the car to a referee station, but if I go there and I pass with the turbo motor in, will I have to start paying insurance like I have a turbocharged car? What kind of bad things can come from a turbo conversion?

 

Technically the 13BT is an optional motor (as far as the CARB is concerned), so if you swap the vac routing and other underhood stickers, and you retain all the CA emissions systems normally found on the turbo motor, you should be able to pass smog at any smog shop.

As far as insurance, the VIN still tells the insur company that it is a non- turbo. However if they inspect the car, that may change your premiums. I had a extra rider added onto my policy when I had the turbo motor in, just to cover my ***.

If you are really concerned about problems in CA, you will want to post in the West section of the board, as there it is more oriented towards that sort of regional problems, and issues.