Engine swap in california, and V6 internal questions.

Hi all, I'm new to this forum as a member, though I've lurked for a little bit. I'm currently curious as to the smog issue as far as engine swapping for a fiero in California. I would like to do a 3800 swap, if it's possible legally without too much hassle. Other possibilities include a super/turbo'd 2.8/3.1/3.4, as it would look like it was the original displacement, for smog purposes.

Back to the subject at hand, I'm wondering if anybody has done an engine swap or used a stroker kit to change their displacement in California or know anybody who has, and if they reported it. Was getting it smogged and insured an issue? What was the new displacement?

Other curiousities of mine include any resources for information about the 2.8/3.1/3.4 engine as far as performance internals. I have seen forged pistons/rods/etc, but I have not seen forged crankshafts for that bottom end. I'm guessing that the stock crankshaft probably cannot handle a whole lot of abuse. I have yet to see concrete information in my quest to determine how much horsepower the internals for the stock 2.8 or the stock 3.4 bottom ends can withstand with NOS or how many PSI of boost they can take with the various bottom ends, and what internals can be added to make those figures higher. Any input on that matter would be great.

I'm targetting ideally about 400HP if I can achieve it pretty cheaply, but 300HP would do quite nicely. I think the 3800 swap would probably be the best way to go about it if the smog issues pan out, but I'm also having the same problems finding beefed up internals for the engine. I don't really want to go to a V8 at all, unless compelling reasons can be given for the financial aspect of it. The idea of cramming a large 5.7L or similar into a fiero does not really appeal to me. I had a Camaro Z28 with the LT1 engine in it about six months ago, and it was hard enough to work on, even with it's large engine compartment.

Sorry for all of the questions, but I have yet to find adequate resources online to answer my questions after a few days of searching, and any resources you all could point to regarding any of these questions, even if not totally relevant, would be highly appreciated. I would love to hear advice on bringing as much power to bear as possible with the minimal hassle in california, and what setups you all are running. Thanks in advance.

While I don't live in California, I do know this: They are the most anal on smog control, hands down. The best bet would be to ask the experts on these laws, the California state highway patrol. If the laws are anything like Wisconsin, there should be some slack given to "hobbist" cars. (hot rods, street rods) Don't try making the car look smog legal, as once they throw a tailpipe sniffer on the car it WILL bust you. Instead, find out what the laws are and use the exceptions and loopholes to your advantage.

Well, as far as street/hot rods, the main exception that I know of is the 30 year law, which was just modified. This year will be the last year of this. If you car is more than 30 years old, it is smog/emissions exempt.

With anything else, you have to use california smog-approved parts and engines, and cannot modify your displacement. I just scrounged up a smog FAQ for california, and even pistons/cranks/rods have to be smog approved. How ridiculous.

I guess this is all bad news for me as far as a road driver, I was hoping for different news. I'll probably wind up making a track car, but that would involve getting a truck and trailer. The whole fun factor of a streetable car is lost as well. I guess I'll try to find any sort of loophole, I'll see what CHP I can talk to about this, although I doubt they'll be too forthcoming with knowledge about any loopholes. :(

register it out of state, or get it illegally smogged if u know anyone. thats what i did for my old 83 Z28, it was modified out the rear!