Alright, here's the story...

I was going to swap a nice ZZ4 into my '86 IROC (305 TPI). I was going to get the Pennsylvania "Collectible Vehicle" plates that don't require emissions... everyone would be happy. Wrong. I discovered today that there is not only a 2500 mile per year limit, but it's also illegal to drive it more than one day a week. There's no way that I can maintain the quota and still use my IROC as a daily driver. Ugh.

What can I swap into the car to maintain emissions? I'd like to have something larger than the 305 that's in there. I have a 350 from an early-70s Corvette that I could use, but I don't know much more about the engine than that. I'm thinking that I probably have to stick with the TPI unit, although I'd really like to go for carburation (and ditch the computer).

This is pretty frustrating... any ideas for a poor guy?

 

I have a PA collectable plate on my Camaro, but I don't drive it everyday. You could swap in a stock or mild 350 & use your TPI components & emissions crap. That should keep the smog cops happy. A 350 chip & 350 injectors are about all you need.

 

Well, i have been looking into this because i live in PA and i want to put a V8 in my car. DOes anyone know what the limits for emmissions are, like how many grams per mile, because i am going to put an LT1 engine in it and just get all the smog stuff for that engine, i think that it is liek a 93, so i guess that that would work because it is never so i figure that it is better to have newer smog stuff than older stuff.

 

I don't know how poor you can be if you're considering a ZZ4, but...

A co-worker fellow 3rd gen'r here has a ZZ3 in his emissions-legal '90 RS. The project started off innocently enough - ZZ3 crate motor, complete LB9 for the TPI parts. He ended up using the ZZ3 long block and the injectors & fuel rails from the LB9. Everything else is aftermarket. TPIS BigMouth base, runners, TB. He converted to SD TPI, so picked up a '91 ECM, had a custom chip burnt for it. He routed exhaust up to the intake base ('Vette style) for the EGR valve. He passed emissions easily - visual inspection, dyno sniffer test. Put '91 350 TPI emissions stickers under the hood.

The real issues are making it look like a factory system with certified aftermarket pieces, and making it run clean enough to satisfy the sniffer. You can do that with a ZZ4 TPI setup - the biggest issue is the EGR valve, since the heads don't have cross-over passages. Other than that, you don't have to volunteer anything.

 

How about this...

Would I be able to take the parts from my 305 and put them into the 350 block and still maintain emissions? How much more power would the the 350 block give me?

Willie Weissman put a supercharger on his '87 IROC's modded 305 TPI. He now runs in the 12's and is emissions-legal.

http://willie.camaro-firebird.org/

I might have something going if I could put a supercharger on the 350 (using the 305-to-350 swap I just mentioned)... it may end up being cheaper than buying a brand new engine, too.

One last thing -- what cylinder heads are considered "emissions-legal?" I know it depends on the rest of the engine, but do they sell them according to legality, too? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm new to engine building and I need some stuff clarified.

 

Yes as long as you can get all the emisions systems functional, you should have no problems passing the PA test. They will never be able to tell if its a 350 or 305. They most likely won't care either. Just make sure everything is hooked up, no loose or disconnected vacuum lines or electrical connectors, they are told to look for these things on the visual test.

 

Any heads that have CARB E.O. certifcation would be legal in PA. The main thing is not to use anything that would cause the emission controls to be non-functional. Edelbrock Performer (not RPM), AFR 190, are some examples of CARB certified heads. You could use cast iron heads & paint them black along with the block & they would appear to be stock heads, no one would be the wiser.

 

I know this is a really old post but it's relative to my situation. Got a 91 RS with a v6 and I'm planning on doing a swap to a carbed v8 but concerned about the emissions crap. I live in a PA county which currently doesn't have emissions testing but the county to the north does so I'm sure it'll eventually make it here. I was looking at maybe getting the GM's "universal" 350 crate but it says its for 1986 and older vehicles. Will that not be legit in my car being it's a 91 cuz of emissions? What should I be looking for in a crate motor so it'll be legal if/when emissions come. Another question I have is what are differences between Classic, Collectible, Antiques plates. Are cars with those plates emissions exempt. It's not an everyday driver so limited mileage isn't a big deal as long as it's reasonable. Well I'd appreciate any response from fellow PA'ers. Thanks! Jeremy

 

You'd probably be better off posting your question in the regional forum that covers PA.

The quick answer is technically, you can only use equipment that is certified for a passenger car of your chassis year or later. The Goodwrench crate, as stated, doesn't cut it for a '91. In fact, no carb will cut it for a '91. You'll either have to go with a TBI or TPI system, or LT1 or LS1/6/x engine/system.

Practically speaking is a whole different matter.

 

350 crate with a TPI and the following did the E-Check twice in Ohio.

 

Engine by of the above: