California Emmisions Question

[myvettes0781]

I plan on replacing the engine in my 1981 with an LS3. What do I need to do to pass the smog test here in Orange County, CA.? I was planning on installing headers with dual cats and mufflers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Marc

 

[Koop]

I plan on replacing the engine in my 1981 with an LS3. What do I need to do to pass the smog test here in Orange County, CA.? I was planning on installing headers with dual cats and mufflers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Marc

I'm pretty sure have to have all of the equipment the car came with (or better). So the air injection and EGR need to be intact and functional. I suppose if the air injection goes straight in the heads on the LS3 that might do the trick to allow headers but you could be stuck with the factory type exhaust manifolds. A discussion with a Gold Medalion Smog tech or a referee would be a real good idea. If you ever go to Huntington Beach to the donut shop at Adams and Magnolia on Saturday morning, ask the guy with the V8 Celica how he pulled it off. That would be the Black 1978 Celica with the late model Cobra motor stuffed in it.

I'm happy to say I've forgotten most of that stuff.

 

[6880 Mike]

...A discussion with a Gold Medalion Smog tech or a referee would be a real good idea....

I agree. Call the emissions testing folks and see what they say. No sense failing the first time out because of something you could have handled before you got there.

 

[Tom73]

I cannot speak specificly for CA but the general rule from what I have seen is that if you put a latter model engine in an earlier car then ALL the emission equipment that was used with the later model engine must be carried over to the earlier car. In other words it must be installed in the earlier car exactly as it was installed in the later car.

But there are many exceptions and, as stated above, the best bet would be to discuss with the smog folks before doing anything.

tom...

 

[Hib Halverson]

In CA, by law, an engine change must retain the emissions equipment on the engine which is being installed. It would be a very difficult, complex and expensive project to transplant an LS3 into a C3, but it could be done. My guess is that most smog check stations, confronted with an LS3 in an 81, are going to send you to a State referee station and once you get there, you'll have no choice but to meet the letter of the law.

In the O.C. the enhanced smog check is required and to pass that would probably require all OE emissions controls on an LS3.

In a practical sense, if you really want to do the Gen 4 V8 into C3 swap, you'd be better to sell the 81 and buy an older car which is exempt from the biennial smog check and use that for the swap.

 

[Koop]

In a practical sense, if you really want to do the Gen 4 V8 into C3 swap, you'd be better to sell the 81 and buy an older car which is exempt from the biennial smog check and use that for the swap.

Best answer!

 

[tcxd40]

Best answer!

Move out of California.

Better answer!

 

[Hib Halverson]

Move out of California.

Better answer!

Maybe not a better answer...depending on which state.

There are about a dozen states with emissions regulations that mimic California's and some of them may require similar compliance.

 

[Evolution1980]

Maybe not a better answer...depending on which state.

There are about a dozen states with emissions regulations that mimic California's and some of them may require similar compliance.

Considering how generally conservative Ohio is, it is a good choice...if you don't mind only have 3-5 months of acceptable driving weather. :eyerole :L

 

[Koop]

Move out of California.

Better answer!

It's sunny and 62 degrees here in So Cal. So what's that weather like in Pittsburg today?

:harhar

 

[NORTY]

I plan on replacing the engine in my 1981 with an LS3. What do I need to do to pass the smog test here in Orange County, CA.? I was planning on installing headers with dual cats and mufflers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Marc

If you install headers, you'll fail the visual inspection. Now, if the tech doesn't know they're headers...

 

[Koop]

If you install headers, you'll fail the visual inspection. Now, if the tech doesn't know they're headers...

If the tech doesn't know they're headers, Two years later you have to find the same blind tech and do it again. :W

 

[Whiteshadow89158]

BTW i did some research into this because i'm kinda on the same boat and i found out that you have two routes to go. 1.) All of the original Emissions equipment needs to be installed on YOUR particular car and thats it 2.) If you dont want to go stock you can purchase parts that are california regulated and certified and all you have to do is keep the reciept or attach the sticker it comes with under the hood. Hope this helps. It's a very gerneral thing and was somewhat surpised to hear about these alternitive parts, i'm somewhat new to this scene and was glad to hear : )

 

[steves74]

In CA, anything older than 75 is smog exempt. So if it was me, I would buy a 75 or older corvette.

There is a few CA counties that do not require the every 2 year smog check.
Like Lassen, Siskiyou and Modoc County. I know this because I live in Siskiyou County.