I have a 89 GXL (not smog) n wondering if i can do a legal TII swap and still pass smog(without paying off). Just wondering what i can do to make it legal swap. Thanks

 

Yes and no... technically no as it is a motor change, but there are two loop holes.

One: if the motor is newer (you put in a 90 or 91 and meet the 90/91 smog emissions) you can swap it.

two: most smog shops don't know what model the Turbo motor came in, and when smogging simply pick the optional turbo motor when they hook up the smog computer.

 

So what about JDM motor? For the loop hole 2 dont they type in your VIN to find out the model it is? Cuz i know that the 3 number after FC in vin is the model 33X can tell u want motor it came in(x for 1 or 2). And dont the S5 rx7 dont have EGR? How does that work for smog station? Thanks

 

At this point, the VIN in the CARB computer is not linked to the motor as not all manufactures put a digit that represents the motor in the VIN. That may change however, and they fix the software so that the VIN tells the software what motor. Then you would only have the later model engine loop hole.

S5 motors do not have EGR valves, so it wouldn't matter as long as you had the air pump and rest of the smog equipment (including US spec Turbo ECU) hooked up.

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

Ask HOZZMANRX7 I finished his t2 vert. Its all legal.
thanks Robert

 

Anyone else has experience with legally swap TII motor to their N/A 7's? If do please share your experience. Thanks

 

The key points are discussed here:

https://www.rx7club.com/west-rx-7-forum-193/ca-fc-vert-tii-swap-barable-675700/

Bottom line, two things:

1. Mine had to do with ASpec S4 TII guts into my S4 Vert then took to the ref to get certified to insure no future smog hassles. The ref said, somewhat akin to Icemarks comments, that since the TII drivetrane was offered in that same model year RX7, it is considered standard equipment regardless if it wasn't actually an option for the ASpec Vert. Key point, I believe, is that it was ASpec guts rather than JSpec guts. However, I believe to a certain extent you can get away with JSpec guts. Icemark or FC3S91 are better reference on that Jspec vs Aspec subject. I didn't want to take that chance, so I invested a year or two of collecting all the ASpec parts before bringing in Roberts expertice to pull it all together.

Anyway, to be safe I had him put it in writing which I keep right next to my registration just in case I someday run into a doubting cop or smog tech.

One more comment (wacky also points out in the thread I gave link to), the TII engine needs to come from a same year or younger TII donor as your recipient. You break CARB rules putting, say, S4 TII guts in an S5.

2. The search function is a valuable tool in this forum.

 

Trivia question. In full stock form, which burns cleaner? A TII or NA?

 

Would there even be anyway for them to tell if you used an older engine in a newer car?

 

Im gonna say TII because NA run richer stock

 

"Would there even be anyway for them to tell if you used an older engine in a newer car?"
__________________

If you mean S4 set up into an S5, that would be an absolutley yes. So don't go there if you want to avoid smog hassles.

 

just get it smogged illegaly

you live in cali bro

 

+1 for, perfectly fine to swap in an equal or newer engine, (same model different trim). Just make sure you get everything in writing.

 

I probably won't have any hassles as my car is an 87, so it's impossible for me to put in an older TII engine. Well, unless its like an 85/86 JDM one.

Which I will probably go far, some pretty good deals on ebay for long block+tranny ...

 

Ok. Thanks for all the infor. I had been researching on swaping Jdm motor and found some differences between JDM and USDM TII motor.


No non-turbo engine
No EGR (S4)
No AWS **
No sub-zero starting assist system
No pre-cat
Different ACV with no split air solenoid *
FPR and PD in opposite locations *
Twin-scroll actuator on opposite end of exhaust manifold (S4)
No thermovalve on TB

for the one with *. Just wondering if i can swap them with USDM one and "fool" the referee.
**- does smog truely look at this?

 

All you have to do is put all the US emissions on and you are good to go. You need to get USDM intake manifolds and sensors, throttle body, Intercooler, emissions equipment, ecu, MAF Sensor, and Pressure Sensor.

 

I have a ASpec throttle body left over and a few other ASpec odds and ends from my swap if needed. Just need to clean my garage and inventory what all I've got.