Engine Swap Question

[Silly Willy]

Okay I have heard lots of talk of people that are swapping engins like a diesel in a Sami, and big blocks in YJ's. Almost every build throws a different engine in their rig. Down to my question.

When you put an engine other than stock in your rig is is no longer street legal, so said my uncle who owns a shop that does emission & Inspection.

Is there a truth to this or is this just false? If its true are there any known loop holes that you all know of?

 

[Corban_White]

I believe the rules are different depending on the year of the vehicle. For newer vehicles it needs to be the same year or newer engine from the same manufacturer in order to be legal.

 

[Caleb]

I believe the rules are different depending on the year of the vehicle. For newer vehicles it needs to be the same year or newer engine from the same manufacturer in order to be legal.

I thought that was always the case (well, back until they are exempt from emissions)? It's just that the older they are the more options you have.

 

[Corban_White]

Could be. I thought the older (like pre efi) ones didn't need to be the same make?

 

[Silly Willy]

So for example If I wanted to put a Diesel engine in my 1996 XJ I wouldn't be able to have a street legal rig.

 

[DaveB]

I was told by the county emissions guy when I called that an 84 or newer vehicle could use a newer engine if it was offered in that model in that year or newer and you used all of the emissions equipment. I have an 84 with a 99 engine and had an 86 with a 92 engine and they pass the smogs tests and inspection easily every year. On the older ones I believe you just have to pass the smog test.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Your uncle is wrong. I'd tell him to study up on the subject.

"Vehicles are inspected to determine that the emissions control devices originally installed on the vehicle are still present and appear to be operating. For 1984 and newer vehicles, these devices must be installed and operating before the test can continue."

" (xii) The Inspector shall examine the emissions/tune-up specification decal (sticker) under the hood or check an approved reference manual to determine if the vehicle was manufactured with a catalytic converter, AIR system, PCV system, EGR system and fuel evaporative system.

(xiii) The Inspector shall on 1990 and newer vehicles, visually look for the presence and apparent operability of the AIR system, catalytic converter, fuel filler neck restrictor, EGR system, evaporative control system, PCV system, and gas tank cap. If these parts or systems have been removed, or are inoperable, the vehicle fails and the owner shall repair or replace the parts or systems before the emissions test may be continued.

(xiv) On 1989 and older vehicles, the Inspector shall visually inspect for the presence and apparent operability of the AIR system, catalytic converter, fuel filler neck restrictor and gas tank cap in accordance with Department procedures, and record the information on the emissions analyzer. For 1984 and newer model year vehicles, if these parts or systems have been removed or are inoperable, the owner shall repair or replace the parts or systems before an emissions test may be continued."

" 4.3.9. Engine Changes. Vehicles qualifying for testing under this part shall not be eligible for a repair waiver.

(i) Vehicles model year 1968 to 1983 shall be tested according to the year of the vehicle (regardless of the year of the engine) and may be tested at any station.

*Of course 1967 & older has no emission test so you can have whatever you want under the hood. 68-83 and it just has to pass the same emissions standard as the original motor.


(ii) If a 1984 and newer vehicle has an engine other than the original, the vehicle owner must have the vehicle inspected by the Department and must demonstrate to the Director that the emission control systems on that engine are equally or more effective in controlling emissions as those systems originally manufactured on the vehicle before a Certification of Compliance is issued.

*So 84 & up, motor has to have the same or better components than the stock system.

This doesn't cover diesel conversions but those too are legal and well within the scope of the Health Department Standards.


(iii) Kit cars must be inspected by the Department and may be inspected according to the year of the engine provided that the owner can provide appropriate documentation. "

Let google be your freind
http://www.slvhealth.org/envRegs/reg22aVehicleInspec.html
http://www.slvhealth.org/programs/a...cleInspectionMaint/airPollutnMtrVehicles.html

 

[SAMI]

Good info.. I'll be putting a newer motor in a '74 Land Cruiser.. In essence, the new motor has to meet at mininum the emission requirements for the original 6cyl motor. I've got that right, right?

 

[Silly Willy]

Your uncle is wrong. I'd tell him to study up on the subject....

So basically whatever engine I put in my XJ, I just have to have it pass emissions, and have the Health Department Standards certify it and its good to be street legal?

 

[DaveB]

(ii) If a 1984 and newer vehicle has an engine other than the original, the vehicle owner must have the vehicle inspected by the Department and must demonstrate to the Director that the emission control systems on that engine are equally or more effective in controlling emissions as those systems originally manufactured on the vehicle before a Certification of Compliance is issued.

When I talked to the county emissions guy about the annual inspection on an 84 or newer with a different engine he said that you have to have the emissions test done by the county not only in the first year but every year after that. I asked about a certificate of compliance in the first year which could be shown to shops in later years but he said no it has to come in every year. What I have found however is that the guys at the local testing place will test them and pass it as long as it meets the numbers. The first year that my CJ8 with a 4.0 was tested we thought they were going to fail it because they spent an hour testing it. They finally gave up because it was too clean and they couldn't believe it.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

So basically whatever engine I put in my XJ, I just have to have it pass emissions, and have the Health Department Standards certify it and its good to be street legal?

Thats the way I read it.

When I talked to the county emissions guy about the annual inspection on an 84 or newer with a different engine he said that you have to have the emissions test done by the county not only in the first year but every year after that. I asked about a certificate of compliance in the first year which could be shown to shops in later years but he said no it has to come in every year. What I have found however is that the guys at the local testing place will test them and pass it as long as it meets the numbers. The first year that my CJ8 with a 4.0 was tested we thought they were going to fail it because they spent an hour testing it. They finally gave up because it was too clean and they couldn't believe it.

That I'm not sure on that but know of plenty (including here on RME) that just test their swapped rigs at regular places after the first year. Might be the situation you have encountered, they just test it

 

[Silly Willy]

Thats
That I'm not sure on that but know of plenty (including here on RME) that just test their swapped rigs at regular places after the first year. Might be the situation you have encountered, they just test it

So if I went to diesel then I would for sure have to go to the county to get it tested then . If I went to a standard place to get it tested they would probably just go WTF... Fail...

 

[Corban_White]

Diesels are already quite limited in where they can be tested.

 

[gijohn40]

in Davis county all diesels have to be inspected by one place just off of 200 North and I-15 in Kaysville...

 

[Silly Willy]

Wow, I haven't heard that. Why are they so Limited?

 

[74highboy]

in salt lake any shop can test diesels if they buy the equipment to do them and have their certs to test them

i have tested a few cars with swapped motors i wright it up as the stock motor if it passes like that then its all good and i have called the county on it when the first one came in they just said if it passes as the stock motor then its ok