CARB-legal LS Swap - It can be done!

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CaliWagon83

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Nov 12, 2017
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Video quality not great, but found this video on YouTube of a Monte Carlo SS with a fully C.A.R.B.-legal LS1 swap. For all you doubters out there, it can be done!

 

jiho

Royal Smart Person
Jul 26, 2013
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That certainly seems encouraging, but I have several issues:

1. Shows him walking into what appears to be a California referee station, but no indication where.
2. Shows somebody doing a tailpipe test, does not show any visual inspection being done.
3. No explanation of how the more difficult requirements were met.
4. In the brief shot of the referee sticker, the focus is so bad it cannot be read, period.
5. Is this guy a member of this or any other forum, so we can get more and better information?

So I wouldn't exactly run out and dump money into such a swap without more homework first.

Have you yourself talked to anyone at BAR, or a referee?
 
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jiho

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Jul 26, 2013
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Oh .... And at the very end, it appears he's doing about 103 mph at a little over 2500 rpm. :rolleyes:
 

jiho

Royal Smart Person
Jul 26, 2013
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Don't bail on us yet, dammit! I wanna see it work! Try talking to BAR!

However, there is yet another problem: As I understand it, normally you aren't allowed to enter the area where the referee does the inspection. But this guy walks right in with camera running, and we don't see or hear anyone shoo him out.

I did get a freeze on the sticker, though, and what I can see and read does look legit. We just don't know enough about how he came by it.
 

Clone TIE Pilot

Comic Book Super Hero
Aug 14, 2011
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Galaxy far far away
The video is from 2011 and probably is outdated with current regulations. Not to mention there is something flaky going on at that station. Most states do not allow people to freely walk about in a state inspection center. In NJ you have to stay inside your car during inspection.
 

CaliWagon83

Royal Smart Person
Nov 12, 2017
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Well, I may be finding out myself soon enough. My buddy talked me off the edge of the $50,000 cliff, and convinced me that I can DIY a lot more of the work than I thought I could at first. He thinks I should go for a low-mileage late-model salvage LS rather than an E-Rod. We'll see. If I do end up going the DIY route with the engine & powertrain, I'll be sure an post a detailed experience of the referee process.
 

jiho

Royal Smart Person
Jul 26, 2013
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Give BAR a call, the "Engine Change Hotline." Explain what you propose to do. Find out if it's even legal, from the horse's mouth. Before buying anything.
 
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jiho

Royal Smart Person
Jul 26, 2013
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Most states do not allow people to freely walk about in a state inspection center.

That includes CA. Of course, CA does have a serious problem with shops operating properly. Every once in a while there's a round of busts, usually in the Southland. You wouldn't expect those kinds of issues if it was a referee station, though. The one here is at a local community college.

On further thought, maybe not expecting issues at a college is dumb? :D
 
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jiho

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He thinks I should go for a low-mileage late-model salvage LS rather than an E-Rod.

What about your twin-turbo LF3/LF4 plan? I almost be tempted to try that myself, even with drive-by-wire.:p
 
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