California CARB compliant engine swap

Status
Not open for further replies.

Greasy_Holly

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Oct 22, 2020
12
21
3
Hey yall,
ive got a 1981 buick regal with the 236ci V6. Head gasket is leaking and rather than trying to fix a forty year old engine, Im looking for an engine swap that is carb compliant. Ive been looking at Chevy’s E-rod LS3 connect and drive package but I was wondering if anyone has any experience with California emission laws and engine swaps. Thanks again yall.
 

ck80

Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Feb 18, 2014
5,742
9,114
113
Hey yall,
ive got a 1981 buick regal with the 236ci V6. Head gasket is leaking and rather than trying to fix a forty year old engine, Im looking for an engine swap that is carb compliant. Ive been looking at Chevy’s E-rod LS3 connect and drive package but I was wondering if anyone has any experience with California emission laws and engine swaps. Thanks again yall.
Google will be your friend.

If you call for assistance or later appointments the term they say you use is "engine change" since some paper pushers don't understand what 'swap' means.

Basics:

1) any engine transplanted need to be same model year or newer than the year of manufacture of the car;

2) engine being swapped must have been certified for use in California as meeting emissions requirement (applies for certain aftermarket blocks not to be used)

3) the engine being swapped must include all originally equipped emissions equipment - computer management (don't convert a newer fi engine to a non-ccc carb), sensors, cat converters, etc

4) save receipts and documentation

5) you'll need to present everything at the end for an inspection by a referee who will affix a serial number to the car showing the change was properly done and approved, which will allow the car to be smogged.

The rules will vary as far as inspections and strictness of adding components if you are installing an engine that was originally offered in your make/model for year of manufacture.

This is why an El Camino owner can put a 350/290 engine in place of his 305 fairly easily, BUT, a regal owner can't swap a 3.8 for that same 350/290 as easily... the 350 was optional in the El Camino but never offered in the regal.

Complicated? Somewhat. But the key is read read read and keep your paper trail for every piece bought or made.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Greasy_Holly

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Oct 22, 2020
12
21
3
Google will be your friend.

If you call for assistance or later appointments the term they say you use is "engine change" since some paper pushers don't understand what 'swap' means.

Basics:

1) any engine transplanted need to be same model year or newer than the year of manufacture of the car;

2) engine being swapped must have been certified for use in California as meeting emissions requirement (applies for certain aftermarket blocks not to be used)

3) the engine being swapped must include all originally equipped emissions equipment - computer management (don't convert a newer fi engine to a non-ccc carb), sensors, cat converters, etc

4) save receipts and documentation

5) you'll need to present everything at the end for an inspection by a referee who will affix a serial number to the car showing the change was properly done and approved, which will allow the car to be smogged.

The rules will vary as far as inspections and strictness of adding components if you are installing an engine that was originally offered in your make/model for year of manufacture.

This is why an El Camino owner can put a 350/290 engine in place of his 305 fairly easily, BUT, a regal owner can't swap a 3.8 for that same 350/290 as easily... the 350 was optional in the El Camino but never offered in the regal.

Complicated? Somewhat. But the key is read read read and keep your paper trail for every piece bought or made.
Thanks boss, this is what I had found just wanted to see if anyone had any experience with the E rod Crate Engine or going to a referee station at all.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor