5S to 3SGTE Swap, CA Legal?

RaginBull · 08-14-2006, 11:56 AM

Hi all,

I have an NA that I want to swap with a turbo but am not sure about the emissions. I live in Norcal and all Californians know how strict the smog law is. Will I be able to pass smog with a stock 3SGTE motor swapped into my 92N/A? Also, are there smog legal headers, cams available for the 3SGTE? Thanks!

VTsuckah131 · 08-14-2006, 01:59 PM

You should be fine with a USDM 3sgte swap. Not to bust your balls or anything, but a 3sgte does not have "headers" btw. You are refering to an aftermarket turbo exhaust mainfold ("header") and downpipe. And no, there are not any smog legal manifolds/downpipe other than stock. Any modification to your engine is illegal in all 50 states. You can get away with cams since it does not directly effect emissions and can not be seen by the inspector. As long as you retain the stock primary and seconday catalytic converters, you should not have a problem passing smog.

RaginBull · 08-15-2006, 01:16 AM

Thanks for the info!

VTsuckah131 · 08-15-2006, 06:57 AM

No problem bro, welcome to the board.

Weasy2k · 08-16-2006, 03:33 PM

Are you sure it will be ok tho?

I mean i dont know for sure but I would imagine that the guys look at the vin and check out the stock engine and if something is different IE (AN ENGINE) then it will affect the results....?
ANy CA guys know?

Gallagher005 · 08-16-2006, 03:37 PM

main problem when swapping in CA is the EGR not being present, as stated by the USDM 3sgte in the post above

VTsuckah131 · 08-16-2006, 04:41 PM

It is a common thing for motors to go bad and be replaced you know? Countless cars do not have their original engine, it doesn't matter. As long as the engine in the car passes emissions, smog, safety, it is legal (as long as there are no aftermarket components installed such as an exhaust, downpipe, etc). A USDM 3sgte will suit his needs like I said earlier. You NEED an EGR valve in Cali.

Ncturnal · 08-16-2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weasy2k

Are you sure it will be ok tho?

I mean i dont know for sure but I would imagine that the guys look at the vin and check out the stock engine and if something is different IE (AN ENGINE) then it will affect the results....?
ANy CA guys know?

I seriously doubt they know to look at the VIN for the differences. Most don't even know what kind of car it is.

mister3 · 08-17-2006, 07:52 PM

www.chicoraceworks.com located in Fairfield can make JDM swaps CA legal no problem.... or can swap in a USDM if there is one available -- either way we can make it fully CA legal and will pass the referee if needed (pulled over for something and sent to ref) regardless of what engine came in it

butangviber · 08-18-2006, 10:51 AM

It is my understanding of California Law that you have to put an engine in the car that the car was manufactured with, to pass smog.

So the MR2 came in 2 options, 5SFE and the 3SGTE. As long as you put either one of thoes engines in your car, you should pass smog. Any modificatons to the engine will make it that much harder. Someone mentioned the EGR valve, I would find out from a local smog station to see if this is needed on that engine. Or just find one that will pass your car for a $50. heh heh

mister3 · 08-18-2006, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butangviber

It is my understanding of California Law that you have to put an engine in the car that the car was manufactured with, to pass smog.

So the MR2 came in 2 options, 5SFE and the 3SGTE. As long as you put either one of thoes engines in your car, you should pass smog. Any modificatons to the engine will make it that much harder. Someone mentioned the EGR valve, I would find out from a local smog station to see if this is needed on that engine. Or just find one that will pass your car for a $50. heh heh

well... your understanding is somewhat correct.

1) if the car came with different optional engines the larger or smaller ofthat year can be swapped in no problem. the engine MUST have all CA required emissions devices and for the 5sfe AND 3sgte they both require the EGR system to be in place and functional.

with option 1 no visit to the referee is needed in order to have it smogged at any time.

2) can swap in another engine from any year/make/model as long as the engine you are installing is same year or newer than the car and retains the emissions components it was manufactured with for the CA market. this is why some JDM motors cannot EVER be Ca legal (SR20DET)

this type of swap must go to the referee before being fully legal and compliant

anyways -- beyond just the EGR there are a few other things CA cars have which the JDM models don't have which need to be installed one way or another

Weasy2k · 08-18-2006, 08:26 PM

Ahh there we go thanks Josh for chiming in.

Brian, i guess its just as bad as up here.
Aircare guy: "Just going to look for the cat"
Me: "ok"
Guy goes to the front with the little mirror thing and looks under car...steps sideways...again...again...
Aircare guy: perfect
Me: Uh sweet....

TomsMR2 · 08-20-2006, 11:05 PM

you can stick whatever motor you want in your car, from whatever brand you want (as long as its not heavy duty), as long as its the same year or newer. if you felt so inclined, you could stuff a geo metro motor in, or a 7.0L corvette motor in, they'll both legally pass smog in california.

08-14-2006, 11:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
RaginBull No Skills Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 110 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	5S to 3SGTE Swap, CA Legal? Hi all, I have an NA that I want to swap with a turbo but am not sure about the emissions. I live in Norcal and all Californians know how strict the smog law is. Will I be able to pass smog with a stock 3SGTE motor swapped into my 92N/A? Also, are there smog legal headers, cams available for the 3SGTE? Thanks!

08-16-2006, 03:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
Weasy2k 3.4L 10K RPM In the works Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 8,886 Thanks: 34 Thanked 76 Times in 65 Posts iTrader Rating: (6/100% )	Are you sure it will be ok tho? I mean i dont know for sure but I would imagine that the guys look at the vin and check out the stock engine and if something is different IE (AN ENGINE) then it will affect the results....? ANy CA guys know? __________________ -Johnny @ Sea2Sky Tuning - www.sea2skytuning.com http://www.mr2.com/forums/sea2sky-tu...-out-sale.html

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08-14-2006, 01:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
VTsuckah131 Sirc's secret lover Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gainesville, VA Posts: 306 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	You should be fine with a USDM 3sgte swap. Not to bust your balls or anything, but a 3sgte does not have "headers" btw. You are refering to an aftermarket turbo exhaust mainfold ("header") and downpipe. And no, there are not any smog legal manifolds/downpipe other than stock. Any modification to your engine is illegal in all 50 states. You can get away with cams since it does not directly effect emissions and can not be seen by the inspector. As long as you retain the stock primary and seconday catalytic converters, you should not have a problem passing smog.

08-15-2006, 01:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
RaginBull No Skills Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 110 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Thanks for the info!

08-15-2006, 06:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
VTsuckah131 Sirc's secret lover Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gainesville, VA Posts: 306 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	No problem bro, welcome to the board.

08-16-2006, 03:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
Gallagher005 Watermelon Smasher Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 573 Thanks: 10 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	main problem when swapping in CA is the EGR not being present, as stated by the USDM 3sgte in the post above

08-16-2006, 04:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
VTsuckah131 Sirc's secret lover Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gainesville, VA Posts: 306 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	It is a common thing for motors to go bad and be replaced you know? Countless cars do not have their original engine, it doesn't matter. As long as the engine in the car passes emissions, smog, safety, it is legal (as long as there are no aftermarket components installed such as an exhaust, downpipe, etc). A USDM 3sgte will suit his needs like I said earlier. You NEED an EGR valve in Cali.

08-17-2006, 07:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
mister3 garageCRW Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: www.garageCRW.com Posts: 447 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	www.chicoraceworks.com located in Fairfield can make JDM swaps CA legal no problem.... or can swap in a USDM if there is one available -- either way we can make it fully CA legal and will pass the referee if needed (pulled over for something and sent to ref) regardless of what engine came in it

08-18-2006, 10:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
butangviber No Skills Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Northern California Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	It is my understanding of California Law that you have to put an engine in the car that the car was manufactured with, to pass smog. So the MR2 came in 2 options, 5SFE and the 3SGTE. As long as you put either one of thoes engines in your car, you should pass smog. Any modificatons to the engine will make it that much harder. Someone mentioned the EGR valve, I would find out from a local smog station to see if this is needed on that engine. Or just find one that will pass your car for a $50. heh heh

08-18-2006, 08:26 PM	#12 (permalink)
Weasy2k 3.4L 10K RPM In the works Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 8,886 Thanks: 34 Thanked 76 Times in 65 Posts iTrader Rating: (6/100% )	Ahh there we go thanks Josh for chiming in. Brian, i guess its just as bad as up here. Aircare guy: "Just going to look for the cat" Me: "ok" Guy goes to the front with the little mirror thing and looks under car...steps sideways...again...again... Aircare guy: perfect Me: Uh sweet....

08-20-2006, 11:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
TomsMR2 Formerly Tom Brokaw Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area Posts: 2,138 Thanks: 8 Thanked 165 Times in 138 Posts Blog Entries: 1 iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	you can stick whatever motor you want in your car, from whatever brand you want (as long as its not heavy duty), as long as its the same year or newer. if you felt so inclined, you could stuff a geo metro motor in, or a 7.0L corvette motor in, they'll both legally pass smog in california.