CA emissions and engine swaps and upgrades

[o0akoni0o]

well i've started saving up for a headswap, new intake and new cam, and was just wondering if anyone knew of the legalities of these sort of upgrades in CA. also i've been considering going with a built 4.6 from a performance company or swapping in a pi motor or even a 5.4 sohc rather than working with my current block, but wasn't too sure of legal it would be? so yea, what are my options? all i know is that the engine must be of the same year or newer and must have been used on a CA emissions legal vehicle. so does his rule out crate engines?

 

[squares98]

you can use a 98+crate engine, or a swap from a newer 4.6 car and be legal.

 

[CaliLifeStyle]

Parts from the same year or newer is okay. PI headswap is okay with the PI cams but I don't know if a aftermarket cam would pass the sniffer.

 

[o0akoni0o]

what about a 5.4 sohc swap? i know this swap is pretty pricey and in most cases difficult, but i just wanted to know what the rest of my options are.

 

[CaliLifeStyle]

what about a 5.4 sohc swap? i know this swap is pretty pricey and in most cases difficult, but i just wanted to know what the rest of my options are.

Maybe. Don't really know. I remember hearing that only the same engine or newer for a swap is legal. I would go with a built 4.6L. Easier, cheaper, lighter.

 

[bdcardinal]

the 5.4 swap would not be legal. as long as you have all the emissions components from the newer motor it is legal. technically a PI headswap is considered an engine change, so you would have to have 99+ ignition and returnless fuel, however it is very hard to tell the difference between a NPI and a PI motor from the outside.

 

[o0akoni0o]

thanks for the info. now how would you classify a crate engine from lets say dss or vtengines? are those just considered newer motors?

 

[bdcardinal]

it would technically be based on the year of the block based off of the casting number. the internals, although technically not CARB legal are not a part of the inspection because you cant pull the motor apart for a smog check.

 

[Blev]

the internals, although technically not CARB legal are not a part of the inspection because you cant pull the motor apart for a smog check.

DAAAAAAAAAMMMNNN RIIIIGGGHHTTT!!!

 

[CaliLifeStyle]

DAAAAAAAAAMMMNNN RIIIIGGGHHTTT!!!

PI swap is smog legal you know.

 

[o0akoni0o]

thanks for the info guys. and at the place where i get my car smogged all you have to really do is pass the sniffer. the guys there don't seem like the most knowledgable about cars, so passing the visual is nothing. i've past the visual twice with my race bullets!!!!

 

[cdog301]

smog

Where is this smog shop and is it a test only?

 

[bdcardinal]

Dont Post Up The Name Of The Shop!!!!! Send Any Shop Names In Pm Only.