From what I read the rules in California is that you can put an engine from a car into a truck but you cannot use a truck engine in a car. The reason being is the emissions on trucks are higher than the emission standards on cars
This is one more reason I need to call BAR and try to thrash a few points out. I've seen people claiming that they have legally swapped light-duty truck motors into cars in California, but I don't know anyone personally. And you are correct, for the example I gave (TBI 350) the tailpipe "cut points" are higher for the truck you pulled it out of, than for the G-body you are putting it into. The motor has all the emissions controls, but at smogcheck the truck's tailpipe can spew forth more pollutants and still pass, where the G-body would flunk. But the rules say that after an engine change, the car is subject to the standards that apply to the engine, not the car. Maybe it's the more stringent of the two? I need to call BAR and try to get a statement out of somebody.
I also need to inquire about this LS swap, in particular the EVAP problem. CaliWagon83 has been dodging the issue of just calling BAR to find out. Apparently he'd rather spend money on an E-rod than spend time on the phone with somebody at BAR.
I also have another question for them. Many G-bodies had a factory option for the infamous Olds 350 diesel. My reading of the rules is that if your car had that option and you were nuts, you could swap that diesel in and just turn up at smogcheck, without going to a referee first to get a sticker, and you'd be good, they'd just send you on your way. I still find this hard to believe, and I want to ask BAR about that. Because if that's true, and it's also true that you can put a light-duty truck motor in your car, then presumably you could get a referee sticker on your G-body for a 6.2L Detroit Diesel out of a Chevy pickup.
But I seem to keep forgetting to call BAR, so I don't know when I'll have any answers....