Well my 85 cutlass v6 finally died, could I put a 229 v6 chevy instead of a 231? I know I could put a v8, but I'm in cali and smog is very strict and car is already marked as a v6. Would the motor mounts work? what things would i have to do to make it work? I barely put a rebuilt 350 transmission to the 231 could I still use that transmission? Thanks for any help.
1985 gutlass v6 died
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It's actually a 3.8 chevy 229 engine I guess sort of like what the monte carlos use and stuff would my emission stuff and alternator bolt up to it and intake manifold?
cuttytime1985 said:
The VIN is coded for a BUICK 231 V6. Unless the smog test tech is a complete idiot (which is not out of the question) they will notice the difference between the Buick and Chevy motors. More to the point, the Olds 307 WAS an emissions certified motor in that car, the Chevy V6 was not. It's easier to get a certified motor past emissions. Also, California only allows you to swap a same year or newer engine into a car - the logic is that you can swap a cleaner engine, but not a dirtier one. If the Chevy motor is older than the car, you'll have additional problems.
It's better AND cheaper.
You could also, as mentioned above, swap ANY engine available in CA that year for that car in. That usually means Olds 307 V8. I have seen in norCal the smog nazis give an exemption and allow the sbc from the same year monte or gp be allowed as well.
Your 229 is wrong on every level. AND it's a piece of crap compared to the Buick V6. You'll be sick if you do that when you drive it.
You could also, as mentioned above, swap ANY engine available in CA that year for that car in. That usually means Olds 307 V8. I have seen in norCal the smog nazis give an exemption and allow the sbc from the same year monte or gp be allowed as well.
Your 229 is wrong on every level. AND it's a piece of crap compared to the Buick V6. You'll be sick if you do that when you drive it.
KrisW said:
California emissions laws allow you to swap any certified engine from the same year or newer so long as you incorporate all the emissions equipment for the year of the motor. The logic is you can always put a cleaner engine into your car. You will need to go to a referee station to get it approved, however, as most regular emissions techs have no clue about this. Note that the swap must be within "class", however. For example, you can't put a BBC truck engine in a car because truck emissions levels were less stringent than for cars. You CAN, however, legally put a 600 HP LS9 Corvette engine in a 1987 G-body.
Good luck paying for that...
Well guys thanks for all the help decided against the 229 chevy engine and just bought another v6 block like mine and I already swapped everything over runs better and quieter, I'm having another problem with the carb I'm going to post a new topic. 😀 Thanks.
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