i have a 89 camaro and im thinking of dropping either a ls1 or 2 or even an ls6 my only problem is i dont know what the rules are for using catylitics or catbacks or not using them, i'd rather not use them cause i dont mind the smell and the louder the better , but i also want my car to pass inspection. thanks for any help

-Anthony

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

Federal regulations are that you can put the same year or later engine into a similar vehicle - for instance, you can put a '99 LS1 from a Vette or f-body in your '89, but you can't put a '99 truck engine in there.

If you put a later engine in your chassis, you have to swap over all of the equipment that came with that engine. That '99 LS1 technically would have to have all of the sensors, catalytic converters, vapor absorption equipment, PCM, etc.

Now, you said "inspection". That varies with location, and since you didn't provide that information, pretty hard to say what will be required for you specifically.

However, the equipment regulations are federal, not state or local.