hey guys, i've been researching swapping out my tired 13b NA for a 13bt, either usdm if i'm lucky, or more likely a JDM. but one thing i have been wondering is that even though it's an engine from another rx7, how legal is it in california, smog wise, would it fail a visual inspection for having the turbo sitting there on the manifold when the info on my car says it's naturally aspirated? The reason i'm asking is because i dont really have any "smog hook-ups" and i want to keep it smog legal as possible, i dont want any cops popping my hood and hastling me. well thanks guys, so far all the advice i've gotten from this site has been great.

 

There are a couple of loopholes in the CA smog testing that would apply for you in this swap.

#1 the tech puts in the computer if it is the standard non turbo motor or the Optional Turbo motor. So as long as you can pass both the visual and the sniffer, there is no problem putting in a 13BT.

#2 CA law also says you can upgrade to a newer motor. The only drawback here is that the motor must meet the emissions requirement for what ever newer design is being used. So if you put in a 2003 Reni into your car you would have to meet 2003 emissions standards... But remember a 88 motor in a 86 car is also considered newer, and has the same exact emissions requirment as the 86.

 

Thanks for the references Mark. I still don't know anything about the SMOG laws out here.

 

thanks a bunch, that helps me out a lot, i sure was hoping i wouldnt have to buy a turbo II just to have the turbo cause i came up on my clean NA.

 

if you want to do the turbo swap sadly ive heard you have to do the whole drivetrain as well i.e. (driveshaft, rear diff, half shafts, and tranny) and thats on top of changing your engine harness and ecu. good luck with whichever choice you make!

Me i made a badass n/a with about 190-200hp!!!!

 

i know the driveshafts and all that dont match up, but i already have a couple places where i can get the rear end, and the engine i plan on getting already has the wiring harness, ecu, and tranny. but i would like to swap out the viscous lsd as soon as possible, hopefully i can get an awesome 1.5 way of some kind, still looking around though, i think kaaz might make one, but im not sure if it's 1.5 way or 2 way.

 

1.5 or 2 way are both good but Kaaz charges about 1K for the lsd

 

you dont need the T2 drivetrain for a straight swap, the stock T2 motor puts out 186HP to the flywheel which is about 160 to the wheels. unless you are abusing the drivetrain it should hold up fairly well until you start modifying the engine for more power.