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View Full Version : Questions about CA and NV engine swaps and smog inspections



T_Raven
02-08-2011, 10:18 PM
Ok, this is going to be long but I hope it's not too confusing. I've read every thread I could find on here and a few on other forums. I've also read the statutes for CA and NV on their DMV websites but they were no help. I currently live in Idaho and don't have to have my vehicles inspected and I can get away with whatever I want. Though apparently there are federal tampering laws that we pretty much all violate but nobody enforces http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/policies/civil/caa/mobile/engswitch.pdf.
But I want to move to possibly Vegas or So Cal to go to school so I have some questions about passing smog with an LS1 swap.

Before I list my questions please don't clutter this thread with responses that aren't going to tell me anything new. If you haven't actually passed smog in Vegas or Cali with an LS swap you probably aren't going to help. Not trying to be rude but we all know how frustrating it is to read through page after page of a thread to find the few posts with any real info. Oh yeah, and I'm not trying to start another CA bashing thread either.

I've been working on putting an LS1/t56 out of a 00 TA into my 69 Firebird. I have the whole 00 so I have all the emissions equipment.
Here is what I know:

CA: cars 75 and older are exempt from inspection but are still expected to have original emitions equipment in place, though it's not exactly enforced.

Newer engine swaps are generally allowed but I've read mixed responses about whether the emissions requirments are for the chassis or the engine from the donor.

Apparently most guys with swaps in 75 and older vehicles just aren't having the swaps certified, which isn't exactly legal but only an issue if a cop checks under the hood.

Vegas: 68 and newer cars must be inspected. That's all I know about Vegas lol.


Here are my questions. If I go to CA then I'm fairly sure I can get away with doing the swap without emissions equipment. But if I go to Vegas my 69 would need to be inspected. Does anyone know if I would need all of the equipment from the donor in Vegas or is it just a sniffer test?

I'm considering putting the 69 on hold and putting the LS1 in my 89 Trans Am. So in either state I can imagine I'd need the emissions equipment from the donor. But this being a 00 LS1 it has EGR. Does anyone know if I could use an LS6 intake to get rid of the EGR since that was the set up in 01, or would I have to keep it since the block is a 00?

I was hoping I could register my truck in whatever state I go to and leave my other cars registered in Idaho since my dad is on the titles and registration as well. I could probably get away with it but the actually rule in CA is a vehicle loaned to a resident by a non resident must be registered in CA after 20 days. I didn't find a rule like that for NV/Vegas. Does anyone know if I could get away with that in Vegas?

Thanks for any help you guys can give. If there are websites with info straight from those states or if anyone knows who I can contact with questions it would be much appreciated.

T_Raven
02-09-2011, 06:34 PM
Ok, after some more research I guess if I put the LS1 in my 89 I'll keep all of the emissions equipment at first until I figure out where I can get away with registering it.

To those who live in Vegas what are the inspections like for 68 - mid 70's vehicles? Say I put a Pontiac engine in my 69 with headers and no emissions equipment will that pass smog? Also I've read a few posts where people suggested getting a PO box in one of the NV counties that doesn't do inspections and keep the car registered there. Does that work?

ChevelleNV
02-09-2011, 06:42 PM
I don't know much about the laws in Vegas, but if you live just about any place else other than Reno or Vegas there are no inspections. I live in Carson City and we don't have to smog are cars.

So if you were to live in a smaller city outside Vegas you might not have to get an inspection. But don't take my word for it, I would contact the DMV in the area your looking into moving too.

Just my 2 cents

Defender67
02-09-2011, 06:53 PM
If you register an out of state vehicle in CA it will need to be inspected at the DMV (When I imported a vehicle from Germany I had to do this, I am FAIRLY sure it is the same for state to state). This verification isn't so much for smog as it is for VIN verification to ensure the vehicle exists. When you swap an engine in CA, you are required to report the change to the DMV (this is more to prevent theft than to enforce CARB regulations). However, after it is registered (and smog exempt pre-1975) it is difficult, if not impossible, for them to find out about engine swaps. Since you have no smog requirement, it won't be looked at again. So it would be a better idea to register the pre-smog vehicle in CA, then swap the engine after.

A vehicle primarily operated in CA must be registered in CA... generally.

Ron.in.SoCal
02-10-2011, 04:06 PM
^ Defender. I agree w your post, but I would add that in Cali there are certified inspectors (private companies, not on the state's payroll) that will come to your house and do a VIN verification. They will then take your paperwork and get your car registered for you. These guys - in my experience - do not care what motor you have in the car. $85 for the reg, and additioanl $50 for the VIN inspection home service. Not a bad deal...

Defender67
02-10-2011, 06:15 PM
That's cool, Ron. I didn't know that kind of service was out there!

T_Raven
02-11-2011, 02:34 AM
^ Defender. I agree w your post, but I would add that in Cali there are certified inspectors (private companies, not on the state's payroll) that will come to your house and do a VIN verification. They will then take your paperwork and get your car registered for you. These guys - in my experience - do not care what motor you have in the car. $85 for the reg, and additioanl $50 for the VIN inspection home service. Not a bad deal...

Dang that's good to know, it'd be worth it just to avoid waiting for a cop to come inspect it and going to the DMV.

Ron.in.SoCal
02-11-2011, 01:48 PM
I totally agree. Just do a Yahoo local search for 'DMV Registration Service' and you'll find guys that will do it...

Flash68
02-11-2011, 02:21 PM
Could AAA DMV services help perhaps? I stopped going to the DMV a couple years ago when I was told the DMV desk at AAA offices are much more helpful, cleaner, shorter lines, and seem to contain less lepers waiting around.

Nessumsar
02-11-2011, 03:39 PM
As far as I am aware, AAA can do anything that the DMV can. Never had to have a vehicle inspected before though.

Ron.in.SoCal
02-11-2011, 03:59 PM
^ not entirely true...I tried to get a dup Pink a year ago and they said they couldn't do it. Another piece of AAA trivia - no license renewals w extension paperwork; ya gotta mail it in!

Nessumsar
02-11-2011, 04:22 PM
I stand corrected, good to know!