Drive train conversion

[SilverBullet75]

Awesome!
Thank you for your help!

As for the Emissions/legality issues... I have done some digging, with DMV!

I'll scan in and post the information packet that the Emissions Lab gave me.
Short story: It IS possible and legal! There are just a lot of rules that make it almost not worth it.

Let's just say that member Wisdom was LUCKY wherever he lives!

I'll post that info soon.

[SilverBullet75]

Here you go!
Note: My scanner does an auto-crop. That's why the pages look cut. All of the information is there though...

[SilverBullet75]

Furthermore....
The guy from the Emissions Lab at the DMV told me that EVERYTHING must be swapped over. Even the gas tank... (if) There is an EVAP monitor on the tank that measures volume and vapor amount. Basically, you have to do a full change-over to the donor vehicle's emission system... even if your vehicle didn't have said systems.

So, these rules make engine choices a little more limited. The LT1 I had originally selected is out of the question since it is from the mid-'90s.

Now I'm considering LS1 or LS2.
Actually, I just found a late model Trailblazer SS drive train with under 20k miles...
But, it's just a little out of budget.

Unfortunately I may have to put the V8 swap on hold for a bit.
I need to prioritize projects. My first concern, as should be with anyone (IMHO) with larger tires... especially if thinking about an engine swap, is to upgrade the brakes.
I'm not happy with the brakes as is, and have heard great things about R1 Concepts. I think I will do this first, then build up money over time to get the unicorn engine that I want... later .

[vt_maverick]

The guy from the Emissions Lab at the DMV told me that EVERYTHING must be swapped over. Even the gas tank... (if) There is an EVAP monitor on the tank that measures volume and vapor amount. Basically, you have to do a full change-over to the donor vehicle's emission system... even if your vehicle didn't have said systems.

Doesn't seem like it would be that bad except for the gas tank part, but you'd almost certainly be way better off to buy a donor vehicle rather than individual pieces. Setting aside the gas tank question this means you'd need the engine, intake, MAF sensor, O2 sensor, ECM/PCM, headers, cats, and mufflers at a minimum. With a donor vehicle you'd have pretty much everything you need, with the exception of any custom exhaust "plumbing" work. At least that's my view as a non-mechanically inclined reader.



Buffy (Greg) - I think paragraph 5 pretty much bans the Trooper 3.1 diesel swap you were considering.

[tom4bren]

Doesn't seem like it would be that bad except for the gas tank part, but you'd almost certainly be way better off to buy a donor vehicle rather than individual pieces. Setting aside the gas tank question this means you'd need the engine, intake, MAF sensor, O2 sensor, ECM/PCM, headers, cats, and mufflers at a minimum. With a donor vehicle you'd have pretty much everything you need, with the exception of any custom exhaust "plumbing" work. At least that's my view as a non-mechanically inclined reader.



Buffy (Greg) - I think paragraph 5 pretty much bans the Trooper 3.1 diesel swap you were considering.

I think those limitations are written for companies that do modifications and custom rigs. I don't think that those restrictions apply to the shade tree mechanic. For an owner modifying for his own use: if it passes smog, then it's legal.

[SilverBullet75]

The Emissions Lab guy I was talking to was very emphatic that they will check EVERYTHING to make sure it all came over.
I would hope they would be lenient, but who knows...

[SilverBullet75]

Wisdom,
If you are reading this... please let us know what you did!