vasquezmrysvll

iTrader: (5)

it was a tpi305 out of my 85 iroc and now its toast! any segustions on what combo i can install and still pass california emissions tests?

vasquezmrysvll

iTrader: (5)

help?

Forshock 85TA

According to the smog ref ive alked too.

no paper work swaps include ANY small block chevy based motor (305, 350, etc.). as long as the emissions systems are there. 400 included

keep the tpi stuff on, less bull from the smog guys.

did i mention: keep all the emissions stuff it has?
good luck

vasquezmrysvll

iTrader: (5)

so....any sbc shortblock w/o a big cam, w/ all my tpi and smog stuff? would you happen to know a good smogable cam?

Batass

You could also put a newer engine in it....like an ls1, or a 5.3, or a 6.0.......

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

I have a Power Max 2032 cam. It is smog legal, and it isn't too radical. I like it.

vasquezmrysvll

iTrader: (5)

Batass...thats a real typical answer, unfortunatly in my opinion its not worth my time and labor. bullydawg, thanks for the response and for understanding what sort of answers im looking for.
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dam! thats a roller cam and i only have non roller blocks available to me. thanks though.

Batass

I dont know about being a typical answer, most people feel the same way you do. The fact is, it may actually be easier to swap in a newer engine, maintaining smog laws, improving power, and mileage...

A stock LQ4 with a tune will make more power than a built tpi.

The swap is easy! Only two basic conversion parts. I wish I wouldve done it, rather than my conventional setup....

Look on ebay for what a 6.0 (lq4, lq9) goes for, you might be surprised.

vasquezmrysvll

iTrader: (5)

iv seen them on ebay and theyr not cheap. its not that i cant do the swap, its just that im a pretty busy guy and on top of that i have another child on the way. so iv got to prioritize my spending. it seems like everyone i talk tells me to do the "infamise"(spelling?) LSX,or LTX swap.

Batass

I've seen them on ebay from LKQ for about 700 bucks plus 200 shipping. Not the cheapest way to go, but a damn good deal.

The easiest and cheapest thing to do would be to get a good 350 engine with some decent 350 heads, and put all the tpi stuff on it. You could probably pick one up for about 500. Or get a bare block and there are complete rebuild kits out there including crank, rods, pistons for about 500 bucks. Just get some decent heads on it or the cam will be disappointing.

I've seen 5.3 engines go on ebay for 250 dollars. 315hp stock. I'm guessing thats probably about what you'd see with a mildly worked california legal tpi engine. Alot more room for future upgrades. But it does take a good bit of time to get the wiring figured out.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

That may be what that particular person said, but it is not correct.

The engine has to be the same year or later than the chassis, has to have been certified for a passenger car, and has to have all of the emissions equipment with which it was certified. Certified replacement or aftermarket parts are also allowed if certified for the application of the engine.

You can do a TPI 350, but it has to be Vette, or '87-later 3rd gen.; or a TBI 350 LO5 from an '85-later Caprice, etc. You can't do a 400, because they weren't put in passenger cars anymore by 1985. You also can't do truck LO5's.

As is being discussed, you can do LTx, or LSx, but you can't do the truck-based LSx-like engines (which I believe means no 5.3's - at least I don't think they came in passenger cars). You also need to be aware that the LSx emissions systems extend to the fuel tank and, in some cases, transmission. Don't forget exhaust.

Those are the technical realities. What you might be able to get by a smog inspection/test is a whole different topic.

TADailyDriver

iTrader: (8)

I have a edelbrock flat tappet cam im selling. Its smog legal and isnt to radical. heres the link.

Batass

I've never heard of anyone checking casting numbers. You could tell em whatever you want. Im sure there's some sticklers out there, but every town has its leniant mechanic....

Do you have to pass a sniffer test on a car that old there?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Never lived in California, have you. . .

In Colorado, currently you can get 5-year "collector" plates for vehicles 25 years and older. If the plates are renewed every 5 years with lapsing, you don't have to go through emissions testing. All cars 1966 and newer have to be emissions inspected and tested, '66-'81 yearly, '82-newer every other year. All of the rules I stated above apply.

California set a model year cut-off rather than age - I believe it is '75-newer. No exemptions (although there are "gross polluter", repair cost limits, and such - things you really don't want to go through). If something looks suspicious to an emissions tech, they can and really will get **** on you. In addition, if you bring a non-California car into the state, you have to pay a fee ($300 last I heard), and go through emission even on cars older than '75. I had to have the '57 tested and modified (back when it was basically stock '57) before I could get plates for it.

Kevin84Z28

iTrader: (3)

As it was said, in Cali, for your application you can swap out your motor for anything 1985 and up. You don't even have to get a B.A.R. (Bureau of Automotive Repair) certification if you stick to a motor that was offered in 1985, just a smog check. So if your car came with a 305 and you want to put in a 350, you can do it as long as the 350 was also offered for your car. If not, you can still do the swap but you have to bring your vehicle before a smog referee (BAR) and get the certificate. You have to keep all of the origional smog related items on your chassis as well as the smog related items on the new motor.