5.3L into a 85 El Camino. Can I make Ca Emissions

with the caveat that cali and the dmv can make their own laws whenever they feel like it, if they require commercial plates based on model, then it must be a truck. so what are the rules for light truck to light truck? or if you don't have to prove provenance, say it's a different engine from a different car. as long as you still call it an LS no one should notice.

If you can waiver which I doubt, EPA roughly states whichever engine came from the factory is the only replacement. Unfortunately the 85 El Camino never came with a 5.3. Sounds like a sweet project. Maybe you can dump the car on EBAY to someone/somewhere doesn't have smogs to deal with.

IIRC the original engine spec is for testing purposes--as in if you want to use the original test limits, you must use the original engine. if you put in a newer engine you go by the emissions testing spec of the new engine.

This is kind of a hokey answer, but I've seen Hot Rod and Car Craft do feature articles on the LS series into older vehicles. Maybe you could pose the question to them, since they are in California as well. Maybe they know first hand. Having never lived there, it sure seems like they don't want you to do very much altering of anything.

What's their stance on the resat of the emissions system? Purge valve/canister, fuel tank , EGR, etc?

I'd figure that's where they may get sticky on it.

Been probably 15 years since I read the rags with any regularity, but from what I recall, they never really streeted most of the stuff they put together.

all emissions equip must be present and functional. you still have to have the obd2 connector for the test, along with the full original efi system. normally the test (for obd2) should just be a computer scan, but they'd probably make you get the tailpipe done, at least the first year.

I saw this on another website and thread about engine swaps:


Engine Change GuidelinesOverview
Engine changes continue to present problems and challenges to car owners and technicians. Here are some tips to keep you and your customers on the straight and narrow.

Our recommendation is to rebuild and reinstall the original engine, transmission, and emission control configuration.

When rebuilding an engine, it must be rebuilt to the original equipment specifications. However, if you do decide to change the engine, these guidelines must be observed to ensure that the vehicle will be eligible for smog certification or registration.

Remember, these are guidelines for performing engine changes – not certification procedures. All exhaust emission controlled vehicles with engine changes must be inspected by an official referee station and must have a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Vehicle Identification Label affixed to the doorpost.

Remember also, state and federal anti–tampering laws generally prohibit any modification to the vehicle's original emission control system configuration as certified by the manufacturer. And, Section 3362.1 of the California Code of Regulations prohibits any engine change that degrades the effectiveness of a vehicle's emission control system.

California Certification
A federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified (federal or 49–state) engine cannot be used in a vehicle that was originally certified for California.

Certification Standards
Make sure the engine and emission control configuration on exhaust – controlled vehicles are certified to the year of the vehicle or newer, and to the same or a more stringent new vehicle certification standard.

Classification
Don't mix engine and vehicle classifications which will degrade the emissions certification standards. For example, a heavy–duty engine cannot be installed in a light–duty exhaust–controlled chassis even if they have the same displacement. Non–emissions controlled power plants such as industrial or off–road–use–only engines may not be placed in any exhaust–controlled vehicle.

Computer Controls
If a computer–controlled engine is installed in a non–computerized vehicle, the "CHECK ENGINE" light, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) diagnostic link, and all sensors, switches, and wiring harnesses needed to make the system fully functional must also be installed.

Emission Control Configuration
Mixing and matching emission control system components could cause problems and is generally not allowed. Engine and emission control systems must be in an engine–chassis configuration certified by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The engine must meet or exceed the requirements for the year and class of vehicle in which it is installed.

Emission Warranty
Voiding the vehicle manufacturer's emission warranty is not allowed.

Engine Modifications
No internal or external engine modifications (cams, pistons, intakes, etc.) may be performed unless the parts are ARB–exempted or EPA–certified for use in the installed engine. Use the database on this site to search for aftermarket parts covered by ARB Executive Orders.

Original Equipment
The installed engine and host chassis must retain all of their original emission control equipment. Diesel–to–gasoline conversions must have all gasoline engine and chassis emission control systems installed (such as fillpipe restrictor, catalytic converter and evaporative emission system).

Smog Inspection
These vehicles must pass a complete smog inspection (visual, functional, and tailpipe).

Be sure to check for updates on California's DMV and other gov site for your correct Be sure to check for updates on California's DMV and other gov site for your correct intruptation of the California Law or any other State Law.
http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource...uidelines.html

There are so many loopholes in Ca smog laws that the referee station can read it the way they want to. And they change more than most people change undies...

Generally I don't think a truck engine can be swapped into a car. Since this engine is so much newer and *cleaner* than the original engine, it may be accepted.

All the smog equipment from the original vechicle must be retained and installed on the older car. One exception there *used* to be was cats. If the original vechicle didn't have cats from the factory, they didn't have to be used due to fire hazard safety. That may have changed, I'm not sure. Since your 85 Elky had one that doesn't matter anyway.

All add on parts must have an E.O. or C.A.R.B. number for the engine you have installed.

I'd go talk to a referee station and tell them what you have done and what you need to do to comply with the laws. If they sense that you are earnestly trying to comply with the laws, they *may* be a little more helpful.

After it passes the referee station and gets the proper paperwork, they vechicle is now smogged just like the original car it came out of.