Carb legal ls1 swap

[bbejj123]

I am not sure on where to start this top so please move to whereever u feel it should be placed...

Ok ive been doing some research and i searched for a carb legal setup and found some but they are quite far. I was wondering if anyone knew a place AROUND the 818 area code where i could get a legal ls1 swap for a fair price and great quality.

[racepar1]

These questions need to be asked here: http://zilvia.net/f/engine-tech/105615-v8-240sx-faq.html and in the regional section. I highly doubt you will be able to find a shop that will do what you want. You will either have to do it yourself of get ready to spend some big bucks.

[krisdeezy]

shouldn't they be legal anyway? considering the engine is newer than the car and the engine is USDM ?! 0_o

[ZX88]

im pretty sure the engine has to be from the same make/ maybe model?

[PXRdriFT]

its legal, you just have to ensure the emissions equipment is installed.

[mmdb]

do some research on the rx7 forums. They've been able to swap that engine in and get it ref'd. Good luck!

[g6civcx]

There is so much fail in this thread. If you don't know how to get a motor swap through CARB or EPA, you need not speak.

I was wondering if anyone knew a place AROUND the 818 area code where i could get a legal ls1 swap for a fair price and great quality.

Asked and answered. See above for suggestions.


If you want to ask how to do a CARB-compliant swap then you need to ask. Otherwise all questions have been answered.

[qwikspool]

i dont know about 818 area.
try manjiparts.com

[WoolyS14DET]

the motor has to be a nissan motor and from that car or newer in order to be a "legal Swap" If I'm not mistaken !!

[g6civcx]

the motor has to be a nissan motor and from that car or newer in order to be a "legal Swap" If I'm not mistaken !!

How can we mistake you?


The first half of your statement is wrong.

[WoolyS14DET]

How can we mistake you?


The first half of your statement is wrong.



I talking about the state of california !!!

[g6civcx]

I talking about the state of california !!!

I b talkin bout cali 2

[WoolyS14DET]

I b talkin bout cali 2

So your telling me that the california smog laws have changed ?

[g6civcx]

So your telling me that the california smog laws have changed ?

No, this part of the CA law has not changed.

[WoolyS14DET]

So then it would be considered a "kit car" ???

[g6civcx]

So then it would be considered a "kit car" ???

I am not familiar with this aspect of the law.

But with respect to the same make requirement, I cannot prove that this requirement does not exist. If it's not in the law, what can we do? We have to read the entire book to find that it's not in there.

But you can prove that this requirement is true by posting this law. If it's true, you should have no problem finding this section of the law.

Therefore, the burden of proof is on you.

[Mikey88]

its legal, you just have to ensure the emissions equipment is installed.

i believe it. youve done enough swaps already frankie to know wats up. wat like 3 or 4 or wat not haha.

[racepar1]

Wow, so much fail here. If you are not 100% sure on what the laws are then why the hell are you posting here? Your opinion of what the laws say is irrelevant here. The OP needs to do his own damn research on what the smog laws will allow. As far as I know as long as the engine is the year of the car or newer, all the smog equipment is hooked up and functioning, whatever OBD system the motor came with is functioning, and everything behind the MAF or in front of the cats is either OEM or carb approved for the engine then you should be good to go. That is only my opinion though and if the OP really wants to do it he needs to do the research himself.

[projekt_s13]

How are you gonna get it carb'ed if the stations are closed until further notice?

State of California, Dept. of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Automotive Repair (http://www.bar.ca.gov/)

Suspension of Referee And CAP Services

Per the Governor's Executive Order issued on July 31, 2008 concerning the state budget, Referee and Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) Repair Assistance, and Vehicle Retirement services have been suspended until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience. Consumers may call the Department of Consumer Affairs, Consumer Information Center at (800) 952-5210. Also, please check our web site periodically to confirm when both Referee and CAP services will resume. Suspensión de Servicios del �rbitro y CAP

Por la orden ejecutiva del gobernador publicado Julio 31, 2008, con respecto al presupuesto del estado, servicios del Ã�rbitro y el Programa de Asistencia al Consumidor (CAP) Asistencia de Reparación y Retiro del VehÃ*culo estan suspendidos hasta un nuevo aviso. Disculpen la inconveniencia. Consumidores pueden llamar al Departamento de Consumidores, Centro de Información para Consumidores al 800.952.5210. También pueden visitar nuestro sitio en el internet para ver si los dos servicios, el Ã�rbitro y CAP, se han reanudado.

[racepar1]

^^^That's old news man.

[tckracker]

As long as the vehicle, the motor comes out of is newer than the vehicle it is going in to and AAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL smog components are installed PROPERLY; you can get it Ref'd in CA even if the engine is out of a GM vehicle without being a "Blue tag" or "kit car". Now the problem with this is the Smog Legal headers and exhaust manifolds dump directly on the steering so they have to be modified VERY carefully or the good ol' smog Refs will pull the rug out from under you:( I am in the midst of trying to mod a set of SLP street legal headers on my S13 coupe to keep the Catalytic Conv in the "sameish" location but definitely same distance from the head.
-Shaun

[projekt_s13]

^^^That's old news man.

I know its old news, but why try if the stations are closed?

[racepar1]

I know its old news, but why try if the stations are closed?

Because they WILL re-open, probably about the time that the budget for next year is released, which will be in a month or two. Also just because the ref is closed does not mean that your ref ticket will be dismissed. It DOES mean that you will have to pay a fine no matter what though. Why not have a swap installed and ready for the ref so that as soon as they open back up you are ready to go?

[projekt_s13]

Because they WILL re-open, probably about the time that the budget for next year is released, which will be in a month or two. Also just because the ref is closed does not mean that your ref ticket will be dismissed. It DOES mean that you will have to pay a fine no matter what though. Why not have a swap installed and ready for the ref so that as soon as they open back up you are ready to go?
Oh, ok. Now that you mention it, it makes sense.

[g6civcx]

I would still like to see citation on the requirement that the engine has to be from the same make.

[WoolyS14DET]

^^^^Me Too !!

[gigimow]

do some research on the rx7 forums. They've been able to swap that engine in and get it ref'd. Good luck!


If the RX7 guys can get it ref'd, I'm sure a LS1 in a 240sx can will be the same. I'll find out soon enough. Got a s14 shell on the way.

[PXRdriFT]

I would still like to see citation on the requirement that the engine has to be from the same make.
I think the case being made here is the only stipulation is on the year.

[g6civcx]

I think the case being made here is the only stipulation is on the year.

I don't dispute the same year or newer. That's a federal requirement so the state by definition has to be at least the same or stricter.

I just want to know where the same make requirement came from.


I know you can put JDM engines into Integras and get it ref'ed in Cali. By definition, Acura does not exist outside of the US so any JDM swap will not be from the same make.

Plus others have done LS-series FC/FD ref so it's possible.

[g00se]

im in the process of building my ls2+t56 as well and for the most part here is a general overview of what they would be looking for Engine Change Guidelines (http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResources/07_AutoRepair/Engine_Change_Guidelines.html)

btw im using JBA headers (carb legal) "slightly modified" to get around the steering rack. And hey tckracker i didnt know that they measure out how far the cats were, i was planning to route the exhaust into the stock location for now to pass the ref.

[Risu2112]

I'm in the middle of one of these swaps right now 408 area code, One of the major problems is the headers, they go right into the steering column. Fabing headers to work around this is a major red flag at the bar station.

[g6civcx]

Fabing headers to work around this is a major red flag at the bar station.

Find a block hugger header that is 50 state legal.

[soreballz]

^The problem with block hugger headers is that they don't sound super sexy like long tube headers do. lol

[g6civcx]

^The problem with block hugger headers is that they don't sound super sexy like long tube headers do. lol

Do you want to sound super sexy or do you want fitment and the ability to avoid jail/impoundment?

[dtc 360RT]

As far as I know as long as the engine is the year of the car or newer, all the smog equipment is hooked up and functioning, whatever OBD system the motor came with is functioning, and everything behind the MAF or in front of the cats is either OEM or carb approved for the engine then you should be good to go.

i believe this to be true as well......the owner of pantera efi(huge stand alone efi managment maker for ls engines)has told be the same. also told me if you tell them its a pre1995 engine with upgraded ignition they'll just do a sniffer test out the pipe.

considering he does this a lot, i believe him. anyone else have other experiences?

[na3j nitsuj]

Do you want to sound super sexy or do you want fitment and the ability to avoid jail/impoundment?

just use the block hugger to get it bar'd and then change to something that sounds sexier!

[racepar1]

^The problem with block hugger headers is that they don't sound super sexy like long tube headers do. lol

Get the block huggers to carb it, then make some sexy ass 4-1 long tube headers. That's what I would do.

[Risu2112]

Yeah I'm not saying there aren't workarounds, just that headers are one of the bigger complications of the swap in CA.

[g6civcx]

I honestly do not like how they regulate the structure of the drivetrain. If they really cared about air quality, they should only regulate what's coming out the tailpipe. Who cares how you do it provided the exhaust is clean?

For example, if you took an LS-series and made it cleaner using aftermarket parts, that would be illegal if the parts are not CARB-exempt.


I'm a big proponent of regulating what is done, and not how it's done. Regulating how you do something just stifles innovation.

[racepar1]

I honestly do not like how they regulate the structure of the drivetrain. If they really cared about air quality, they should only regulate what's coming out the tailpipe. Who cares how you do it provided the exhaust is clean?

For example, if you took an LS-series and made it cleaner using aftermarket parts, that would be illegal if the parts are not CARB-exempt.


I'm a big proponent of regulating what is done, and not how it's done. Regulating how you do something just stifles innovation.

It is a fucked up system. The carb program has NOTHING at ALL to do with actual emissions. It is all about money. I have heard, and this is un-confirmed, that companies pay up to $10,000 per year per part to get a carb sticker on it plus testing fees. The initial cost is somewhere around $50,000 to get a part carb'd from what I hear. Also the companies have to provide test cars that have VERY little mileage on them. The fact is that a stock SR emits less emissions than a stock KA does, but it cannot be done legally because nobody has come up with the cash. I have heard that one company was VERY close to carb-ing an SR swap, all they had to do was pay the fees, but the cost was sooooo astronomical that it simply didn't work.