Passing emissions with swap

[CountryBoy Racer]

dude i heard if i get my rb25det swapped in i wont pass emissions thats gayer than gay. oh and my brother lives in SoCal its definately illegal there isnt it? just wondering oh by the way i live in Texas. (Go Horns)

[curtis73]

As long as the new engine is the same year or newer and came from a similar vehicle (car for car, truck for truck, etc) and you use all the smog equipment from the new engine its legal. Here in SoCal I was actually applauded by the DMV and BAR for planning putting a 98 Viper V10 in a 96 car originally equipped with a V8. Newer engines put out fewer emissions, so they're happy to help with it.

Some examples of legal swaps in SoCal.

1) if the engine was offered in that vehicle from the factory you can swap them at will as long as the same criteria are kept above; use the emissions equipment that corresponds to the new engine, and the engine has to be the same year or newer. For instance if you had an 86 Mustang with the four cylinder, you could drop in an 86 or newer V6 or 5.0 V8 without consequence. The V8 in 1986 had to comply with the same smog standards as the little 4 cylinder.

2) you can swap between makes. I could put a Ford 4.6L V8 in my 96 Impala SS as long as I do it right. I have to take it to a referee station to have it certified, but then after that I can just go to any smog check in the future.

I'm not sure exactly how it works in Texas, but I've never heard of any state being stricter on anything than CA, so I'll bet if you research it you'll find that Texas might allow it. You don't say what car or year but if you're truly looking into it, do some research and call the DMV office for answers.

[drdisque]

yes, emissions laws very wildly from state to state, you'll have to consult your state law to know for sure as I doubt anyone on here is very familiar with Texas emissions law.