Legality of SR20 Swaps (^_^)

[NZO]

Ive seen this discussed in various places but ive never gotten a solid answer. Im thinking about getting a 95+ 240 and doing a sr20 swap into it from either an s14 or s15. Are either of these engines legal in the US and specificly California? If not, how are people getting around SMOG checks other than getting to know a technitian and paying them to pass you? This is pretty much my main concern at the time so ANY information and ALL comments are welcome. TIA :!:

[Grumpy]

The SR20 is not LEGAL in CALI.......  

The SR does pass the tailpipe test but will fail visual inspection.  We tested it already............

As for passing the smog test... hehehehehehe  you know how......

More info on the swap on our webpage....

Grumpy
www.mckinneymotorsports.com

[NZO]

If its illegal how are all these people getting away with their swaps?

[Arcane]

usually people pass money under the table to get their cars to pass...it's probably the only way to get it to pass in cali...

[pinoydrifter]

Hey, I had the same prob. until I called Motorex!!! They said that all the shops in cali will tell you that all sr20 swaps in cali are illigal!!! The engine will not pass both the visual and smog inspection.But Motorex can do it legally!! The only prob is that they are going to charge you around $7,000!!! I know it is kind of expensive but I plan on doing it because I would rather pay a little more and keep my car legal!!! If you do get the engine from somewhere else I don't even think you can get it insured!!Good luck with whatever you do!! &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':cool:'>
<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

[AJ]

7,000!!!! is that with the engine included.... ?!

[TQ180sx/sil80]

i would guess it's made legal by making the engine US specs, which would probably kill the point of having an SR. after getting the engine in i am gonna throw so many things on it to make it even more illegal, so i see no point in paying that much to pass, i'll just do the under-da-table bit

[nrcooled]

I don't know about Cali but in Virginia we have emissions and smog so I just said screw it and registered mine in another state (ie Ohio) where I have family and there are no emissions or inspections...voila a legal car with legal plates and no probs. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/notify.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':notify:'>

[Takumi]

Oh screw that mess, $7000!? Man, might as well drop yer drawls, bend over, and take it, if folks want a street-legal SR that badly. =/

I'm still considering the option of a GReddy CARB-legal turbo kit, that is..if I find an S14 with fairly low miles and a pretty strong engine. At least if something breaks, I can stroll up to a dealership and ask for parts on a KA. &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':eh:'>

$7000 SR swap, running, installed, low mi. on the motor. That's not even counting the cost of a boost gauge, turbo timer, etc. In some cases, a JDM gauge cluster.

or

$3000 for the turbo kit, $1000 for the intercooler, $300 for the blow-off valve, and some more money on a boost gauge, plus $500 or so for installation, unless you can install it yourself. I heard the GReddy piggyback computer systems for their kits aren't that good...so one might look into throwing in $600-$700 (right?) for a re-tuned Jim Wolf ECU, since we ALL know those are the most reliable for the 240SX. I just hope the intercooler and blow-off valve can also pass visual since it's, in a way, essential in a turbo kit, but for some damned reason, they need to be purchased seperately. &nbsp;damn GREDDY.

[DuffMan]

7000 isnt too bad if it includes the FMIC and some other goodies. I question whether the guy who posted it really knows what they're talking about though. No offensive meant if you do, its just that Motorex hasn't said anything about it that I know of yet.

The SR swap is technically illegal everywhere, but in most states its easy to own one, and will pass smog tests all day long. Cali has a visual inspection, and the guys doing it are usually smart enough to notice that something isn't kosher.

[JacBQuic]

Just a quesiton: does any one know if an sr20 would pass in colorado? &nbsp;Curiosity peeking through... &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I guess I could just ask when I have to emmission the truck tomarrow.

[pinoydrifter]

If you guys don't believe me, why don't you just call them yourself???(310-523-2233) Also if you need thier website its skylinegtr.com or motorex.net!!! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'> <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'>

[gschroeder78]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (JacBQuic @ April 06 2002,09:39)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Just a quesiton: does any one know if an sr20 would pass in colorado? Curiosity peeking through... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> I guess I could just ask when I have to emmission the truck tomarrow.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
As far as I know it will pass the emissions test but if they look inside the engine for a visual inspection, it won't, as was said above. Living in Broomfield and haveing just gotten my emissions done on two different cars recently, I'm happy to say they never looked. If you ask they will say no. &nbsp;Also I was going to check on a couple laws that make exceptions for project cars. Not sure if this would fall under that category.

[NZO]

What will happen if they do happen to look and see its not the right engine? Will you be fined or anything or will you just not be able to register your car?

[Kreator]

Hmm there are numerous ways to pass inspection. The easiest thing you can do is get friends with some people that do emissions testing. I know a guy who has a 550hp supra and he passed the emissions test... without a cat.... So there u go. For the money you can get anything to pass. And for much less than 7 grand.

Also, my other friend with a 400hp camaro that is not legal passed his emissions by getting another camaro to test instead (they read off the vin or whatever they do from his car, but tested non-modded camaro instead). But you need contacts.

[jdubau5]

im in VA and i dont know why nrcooled sad he has his registred through OH because VA has emmisions and smog. as far as i know there is no such thing. we have to have a yearly inspection done but i know it doesnt include smog or emmisions. cause i am tryin to put together a 240sx and line up a sr swap and the thought of emmisions never came to mind. and im not sure about a visual but where i am at the v8 lovin rednecks that do the inspections arent gonna know the diiference between a KA or an SR so i dont care.

[DrDubbleB]

It's easy to get the SR swap done and magically have it become "legal". Basically all you have to do is go to a local performance shop, tell them a "hypothetical" situation, and ask them where "hypothetically" you could get that kind of a problem taken care of. It'll work. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sly.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':sly:'>

Disclaimer: The SR swap I plan to get is going to be in a strictly off-road vehicle, and I do not condone the use of illegal engines in street cars. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

Had to add a second part to the disclaimer.

[drift freaq]

ok guys, I am jumping in here. Seeing as I live in Los Angeles land of the strictest smog tests in all of Cali. I will say this there are smog tech's here that will pass cars on tailpipe without the visual . You just have to get to know them <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>
Now as far as MotoRex goes . Yes they will carb legalize yur SR20DET for $3000. I know, I go over to MotoRex once every couple of weeks. Yes they do sell SR swaps. No I do not have the price on their SR swaps but I am guessing pinoy is close to right on the price for the swap and carb legalization . It may seem like a lot but anyone in Cali who has that car once its been done has a insanely valuable automobile resale wise.
I can honestly say given the amount of 240sx freaks running around socal that if someone put up a cherry street legal carb legal 240 with SR they could probably get close to $10k for it if not . Guess what? there are kids here that have mad money and would pay for it.
It may seem ludicrous in your neck of the woods but hell this is cali . You guys think everything in Cali is ludicrous <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

[dstyle]

hey does n-e one know if the sr20 will pass in arizona. &nbsp;wat kind of emmisions do they have over there?

[S13FREEAAK]

Would it pass in Iowa because im planning on swapping to a sr?

[NZO]

west is best <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[tarp]

jdubau5 Virginia does have emmissions but not yearly. The way it works I believe is once a car is older than 5 years old, you must have emmissions done every other year.

[BlackFox]

I think I'll just open my own shop and do smog tests..... all cars that have no chance of passing enter here &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> &nbsp;Seriously does anyone know what you have to do to be able to smog test cars?

Why not make some copies of the Greddy Carb sticker and slap that sucker on? &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'>

[S14Pilot]

Only after reading threads like this am I ever glad that I live in Indiana. &nbsp;No smog tests or problems here! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

[guidot]

BlackFox, just to legalize your shop to pass cars emissions in MA, you have to buy the state mandated equipment, which, in itself, is close to $25k!!! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'>
I'm all set with doing emissions stuff...MA is the most strict state besides CA.