Do you know the CA law on swapping motors?, smog Options

[computers4kids]

If you do a conversion to a 76 car in CA, which requires smog checks do you know how the law works in regards to smog? As I recall there's some fine print if the motor is newer or older than than car it's going in (76)?? I still need to talk to the DMV for their version, but I always like to know the answers to my questions before I ask them. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)
Thanks

[LvSteveH]

To make things even more fun, interpreting emissions laws is somewhat like the bible. It's just vague enough that two people can read the same thing and get very different meanings.

For instance, some will tell you that the transmission and fuel tank are part of the emissions system. Therefore, if you have an engine that came with an automatic, then the converted car needs to have one too. Then, there's the fuel tank. It's certainly part of the emissions system, so you better figure out how to fit that in your car as well.

Not everyone is like that. If you get a tough referee, the best bet is to find another one.

Oh, and some states won't allow you to change gear ratios or tire size from the donor vehicle. The convoluted logic being that you would alter the driving dynamics and use more fuel, etc.

[Wes V]

For instance, some will tell you that the transmission and fuel tank are part of the emissions system. Therefore, if you have an engine that came with an automatic, then the converted car needs to have one too.

Years ago I got bit by this one.

I had a 69 Camaro and put a manual transmission in it. For some reason, during that year, the automatic cars didn't have an air pump system. The cars that came with a four speed did have the pump.

The shop doing my smog check wanted me to put in the smog pump system due to the fact it had a manual transmission in it at the time of the check.

I was able to talk them out of it.





Another "fun fact" dealing with engine swap limitations is that you have to mount the engine in the same orientation as original. In other words, if it was originally mounted transversly (side to side) then you couldn't mount it longtudinally.

As an example; the VW VR6 engine only came from the factory mounted transversly, You couldn't legally bolt it up to a 901 transmission.

Wes

[Cap'n Krusty]

For instance, some will tell you that the transmission and fuel tank are part of the emissions system. Therefore, if you have an engine that came with an automatic, then the converted car needs to have one too.

Years ago I got bit by this one.

I had a 69 Camaro and put a manual transmission in it. For some reason, during that year, the automatic cars didn't have an air pump system. The cars that came with a four speed did have the pump.

The shop doing my smog check wanted me to put in the smog pump system due to the fact it had a manual transmission in it at the time of the check.

I was able to talk them out of it.

OOPS! I yield to your knowledge and your research! The law's been changed since I last did a swap. My bad. Well, not really, the legislature's bad ................

The Cap'n




Another "fun fact" dealing with engine swap limitations is that you have to mount the engine in the same orientation as original. In other words, if it was originally mounted transversly (side to side) then you couldn't mount it longtudinally.

As an example; the VW VR6 engine only came from the factory mounted transversly, You couldn't legally bolt it up to a 901 transmission.

Wes