I need your thoughts

[badazz81z28]

Hey,

As you can see in a couple of my threads, I have been contemplating what direction I'm going with my 1978 camaro. As some of you may know I'm in the military for the long haul. A recent law was passed that even if my car is registered in a non smog law state, I will now have to comply with the local laws which I reside. Obviously I have an LS based engine and not CA compliant. What should I do? Cut my losses and look for 70-74 camaro to transplant all my goodies? Or hope out one day my 78 will be exempt?

I'm starting to get to the point where I will be making big mods to the car....don't want to too involved if I'm going to walk away. I'm really torn here and need some advice

[raustinss]

I don't know the laws but can't you put in a a newer ls motor with emissions equipment or put that on your own motor?

[badazz81z28]

Yeah. You could if you use a stock motor. My power goals are eventually at least 600-700hp.

Hard to do that without mods that are smog friendly. I will be limited to the LS7

[Ron Sutton]

I was in the same boat with my 77 Bandit Trans Am, as I live in California. I "think" California law allows cars pre-1974 to be smog-exempt. I could be wrong on the exact year, but I know my 1977 doesn't qualify. I eventually gave it to my nephew in Texas. IMHO, I don't see that law changing anytime soon to favor us.

[DesertFox]

Does CA by any chance have a collector car exemption?
Next door in AZ if we put our car on collector car insurance MVD waives the emissions laws.
Of course the down side means you have to have a daily driver, but it's ben a lifesaver over here for some of us.

[Tomswheels]

Hey,

As you can see in a couple of my threads, I have been contemplating what direction I'm going with my 1978 camaro. As some of you may know I'm in the military for the long haul. A recent law was passed that even if my car is registered in a non smog law state, I will now have to comply with the local laws which I reside. Obviously I have an LS based engine and not CA compliant. What should I do? Cut my losses and look for 70-74 camaro to transplant all my goodies? Or hope out one day my 78 will be exempt?

I'm starting to get to the point where I will be making big mods to the car....don't want to too involved if I'm going to walk away. I'm really torn here and need some advice

Option 1: switch to an Erod smog legal LS motor from the general.

Option 2: modify your LS to meet whatever year it was produced smog rules. I.e. 1997 produced LS1 has to meet 1997 smog (A Nightmare of cats and lord knows what else, you have to pass the sniffer and visual test, the Erod is a much better choice)

Option 3: buy a 1975 or earlier Camaro and either switch the vins, or switch all your components to it.

Option 4: have somebody, somewhere in another state register it and take your chances with "the law"

[raustinss]

Cmon guy get real here look at the technology we have right infront of us. Jesus you've got a 638 hp ZR1 200mph wih a warranty and it's passing smog laws......THIS is the new era the laws will never change to help "us" we best them at their own game a erod motor is the best bet. I totally get the wanted horsepower levels but really, you most certainly can do with only 556 in the case of a LSA motor. Toss a t56 behind it and drive the snot out of it.
Just because your car won't pass now isn't the end of the world. Hell don't we remember when carburetors were replaced with fuel injection, we've survived that haven't we ? Even the hill jack redneck sport of NASCAR has had to change and move on. Keep your car toss a new motor at it and away you go
Ryan Austin

[badazz81z28]

My problem is I just put a new LS engine in. I'm not made of money for another $10k engine! Would a cammed LS engine pass the standards set for a 78 car?

[V8240Z]

Rob,
The problem is not the emissions, it is the equipment requirements. If you smog it as a 78 it needs cats, a smog pump, evap system, spark control, TAC, etc... The other option is to contact the BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair) and get a referee appointment. They will make you install the equipment for the engine that you have installed. I would try that first. Then, if all else fails, find a 73 body.....

Charles

[raustinss]

I'm confused...does the engine need to pass with 78 technology? Or with the modern stuff...like throw some cats on the motor maybe mess around with a computer and away you go...yes?
Again pardon my ignorance from the little bit that I do know the car must pass the test based on the year of the engine correct
Ryan Austin

[badazz81z28]

I think for CA yes, it needs to be compliant for the year of the engine. As for other states I'm not sure, but being the military , I may have my hands full as I PCS

[qnitro]

If your military from another state your smog exempt. If your home state is California your screwed.. Cut your loss and go with a 75 or older..

[badazz81z28]

If your military from another state your smog exempt. If your home state is California your screwed.. Cut your loss and go with a 75 or older..

Yeah, that's how I have been getting by. A new law called "Ecars" is going to mandate federal employees to comply with local laws regardless of state of registration.

[raustinss]

Still unsure of why you just dont make the current engine pass...have you even tried to see how bad it is...a couple of catalytic converters are cheaper then tossing a whole car which you've already spent time and money on...just to try and find a equally nice older one and then time and more money to try and get it to where you want

[1966longroof]

Rob,
The problem is not the emissions, it is the equipment requirements. If you smog it as a 78 it needs cats, a smog pump, evap system, spark control, TAC, etc... The other option is to contact the BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair) and get a referee appointment. They will make you install the equipment for the engine that you have installed. I would try that first. Then, if all else fails, find a 73 body.....

Charles

Rob, the info Charles provided is a good place to start. Usually, in situations such as yours....... wavers can be provided. If you get told No, don't take it. You can always write your home state Congressman/Senators and even those in California and ask for a waiver. Additionally, as soon as you hit 24 months on station, start asking for new orders to get outta there.

[zbugger]

As far as I know, it California all cars 1975 and older are exempt from emissions inspections. HOWEVER.... If you get pulled over and don't have the proper emissions equipment on the car you will be sent to a referee. And then you have issues. Luckily most police don't enforce this, so modded cars go right on by. If you do install a newer engine in the car, it must be smogged as the vehicle it came out of. My '77 is stuck with this crap. I'm not letting it stop me though. I'll work around it.

[badazz81z28]

As far as I know, it California all cars 1975 and older are exempt from emissions inspections. HOWEVER.... If you get pulled over and don't have the proper emissions equipment on the car you will be sent to a referee. And then you have issues. Luckily most police don't enforce this, so modded cars go right on by. If you do install a newer engine in the car, it must be smogged as the vehicle it came out of. My '77 is stuck with this crap. I'm not letting it stop me though. I'll work around it.

What are your plans?

[badazz81z28]

You know by doing some extensive research it appears anyone living in a decent size city/town is dealing with smog issues. I have seen some areas require cars as far back as 1964 require the sniffer and I saw as late as 1978....

Realistically it seems to me any engine swap regardless of popular muscle car year can't "legally" build a fire breathing race car despite being technically smog exempt. Even a 1969 camaro with an LS is required to be compliant with the 2000s standards. I guess it really does come down to enforcement and area which you live.

I just found out Alaska lifted all the smog laws in Anchorage. At least I'm safe in my home area....if I ever go back any time soon

[raustinss]

So what needs to be done to get the car to pass with the LS?

[badazz81z28]

So what needs to be done to get the car to pass with the LS?

For California at least, the LS must be stock or only have CARB compliant bolt ons plus all the OEM emission equipment installed. Nothing wrong with that, but I won't be happy unless I have at least 550hp.