LTX and LSX Putting LT1s, LS1s, and their variants into Third Gens is becoming more popular. This board is for those who are doing and have done the swaps so they can discuss all of their technical aspects including repairs, swap info, and performance upgrades.

Getting around Emissions

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Old Jan 11, 2020 | 04:25 PM
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Getting around Emissions

Hola Everyone, maybe I'm missing it in my searches or I'm just dumb, but how are you guys with LS swaps getting around emissions? I'd like to run long tubes, but thinking this wont be an option. Don't want to pay 12k for the LS3 E Rod kit. I live in Colorado where emissions is required and this is my Camaro that I built back in 1995. Currently it has a TPI 5.7 with a Tremec trans. Really wanting to LS it with a T56. Thanks everyone!

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Old Jan 11, 2020 | 05:17 PM
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Re: Getting around Emissions

People don't get around emissions testing. They live in areas where there is no emissions testing.
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Old Jan 11, 2020 | 06:16 PM
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Re: Getting around Emissions

Not sure how that would be A Good Idea. Sure... we all want to escape the rules that we don't like, just, make them apply to everybody else, not us... but here's what they're designed to avoid. If YOU "get around" them, by whatever means, EVERYBODY ELSE will, or at least SHOULD, have the same option. After all, that's one of the principles of our legal system; the laws apply EQUALLY to EVERYBODY, and EVERYBODY has a vote in enacting them. (or more accurately, in choosing those who enact them)

This photo was from the 17th floor of a building in LA a few days ago, right near LAX on the Inglewood side, looking toward downtown. It's ALOT better than it used to be at this time of the year, fortunately. Not hard to see what happens when pollutants are allowed to flow unchecked.



That said, long tubes probably aren't an option for you, if what that means is, you order it off of Amazon or something. They probably would be if there were any you could buy that (a) retained all emissions features of the engine that you're swapping in, as it came; and (b) supported the remainder of the exhaust system as it came. IOW, there's nothing INHERENT about "long tubes" as such, that limits you. Only, long tubes that you can buy. So, get out of your "I'm special and deserve to be exempt from the rules that apply to everybody else" attitude, and design yourself up a set that will pass.
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Old Jan 11, 2020 | 08:24 PM
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From: Denver CO
Car: 1986 2.8 Camaro
Engine: TPI 350
Transmission: Tremec TKO
Re: Getting around Emissions

I'm not trying to skirt around emissions, maybe my title wasnt the best use of words. Have YOU or anyone else designed a set?? Just looking for ideas to keep it emissions legal.
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Old Jan 11, 2020 | 08:28 PM
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Re: Getting around Emissions

Or move to El Paso County...
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Old Jan 11, 2020 | 08:33 PM
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Car: 1986 2.8 Camaro
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Re: Getting around Emissions

Originally Posted by T.L.
Or move to El Paso County...
Lol.. Or buy some land there.. That might be an idea..
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Old Jan 11, 2020 | 08:48 PM
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Re: Getting around Emissions

Go talk to your emissions center on what is required. At least you’ll know what the deal is.
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Old Jan 11, 2020 | 09:07 PM
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From: Denver CO
Car: 1986 2.8 Camaro
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Transmission: Tremec TKO
Re: Getting around Emissions

Originally Posted by TGSeavs
Go talk to your emissions center on what is required. At least you’ll know what the deal is.
Great minds think alike.. I've been looking at the state website, but it doesnt offer up much, so I'll be calling them on Monday. Thanks!
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Old Jan 11, 2020 | 09:20 PM
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From: Oakdale, Ca
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Re: Getting around Emissions

Here in Ca., we have the BAR, maybe you folks do too?

Pretty simple, comply with the rules or "hot smog" it, and have to deal with it whenever inspection comes up.
So you know I'm not talking out my ear here, I'm working on a LT1 swap for my kid's '89, it will be smog compliant. Not that I think it's needed for the environment, I just don't want her to have hassles down the road.
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Old Jan 12, 2020 | 08:54 AM
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Re: Getting around Emissions

Originally Posted by 8Mike9
Here in Ca., we have the BAR, maybe you folks do too?

Pretty simple, comply with the rules or "hot smog" it, and have to deal with it whenever inspection comes up.
So you know I'm not talking out my ear here, I'm working on a LT1 swap for my kid's '89, it will be smog compliant. Not that I think it's needed for the environment, I just don't want her to have hassles down the road.
When my uncle owned the car (before I had it) and was looking to to this swap it was absolutely ridiculous (especially since the car was originally a CA car). Either buy the E-Rod or if you do a swap it has to be a block offered in the car (so aluminum and not iron) and have all the emissions from the donor car (which meant you had to show ownership of the car the swap came from as well). And I think since mine was originally a CA car the donor also had to be a CA car. California, the crazy state!!
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Old Jan 12, 2020 | 08:56 AM
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Re: Getting around Emissions

Originally Posted by GM Man
Great minds think alike.. I've been looking at the state website, but it doesnt offer up much, so I'll be calling them on Monday. Thanks!
When I moved back here a few years ago from AZ I inquired when getting my cars emissions that I had a swap candidate and the office said to car and talk with the site (lead, or head tester, some title like that) about what I'd need to do, but mentioned he was a car guy and loves talking about that stuff. This was at the Broomfield station.
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Old Jan 12, 2020 | 10:55 AM
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From: Denver CO
Car: 1986 2.8 Camaro
Engine: TPI 350
Transmission: Tremec TKO
Re: Getting around Emissions

Originally Posted by TGSeavs
When I moved back here a few years ago from AZ I inquired when getting my cars emissions that I had a swap candidate and the office said to car and talk with the site (lead, or head tester, some title like that) about what I'd need to do, but mentioned he was a car guy and loves talking about that stuff. This was at the Broomfield station.
Good to know about the Broomfield station. I'll drop by there and see if I can find the car guy who can shed some light on this for me. Thanks!
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Old Jan 12, 2020 | 12:54 PM
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Re: Getting around Emissions

Originally Posted by GM Man
Good to know about the Broomfield station. I'll drop by there and see if I can find the car guy who can shed some light on this for me. Thanks!
please post what you find out. I’m hopefully starting this swap this fall.
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Old Jan 12, 2020 | 01:11 PM
  #14  
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From: Denver CO
Car: 1986 2.8 Camaro
Engine: TPI 350
Transmission: Tremec TKO
Re: Getting around Emissions

Originally Posted by TGSeavs
please post what you find out. I’m hopefully starting this swap this fall.
Definitely! Hoping to roll over there sometime this week..
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Old Jan 16, 2020 | 05:01 PM
  #15  
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From: Denver CO
Car: 1986 2.8 Camaro
Engine: TPI 350
Transmission: Tremec TKO
Re: Getting around Emissions

Originally Posted by TGSeavs
please post what you find out. I’m hopefully starting this swap this fall.
So I finally got around to talk to the Broomfield Emission Tech Center. The contact there is Justin and their number is 303 404 0265. Talking with him he told me that swapping in any LS would basically be impossible to pass Colorado emissions. He was saying that the E-Rod kit that GM sells would qualify as it is EPA certified for any 1995 or older vehicle. Colorado needs form DR-2365 to pass emissions, and the E-Rod kit will get us this. Doesnt matter that some of our cars (at the oldest) are 38 years old, even with collector car plates we'd still have to pass emissions every 5 years. Cats have to be in the same position that they were in originally, and no check engine light. Hope this helps others out there.
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Old Jan 16, 2020 | 08:26 PM
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Re: Getting around Emissions

Originally Posted by GM Man
So I finally got around to talk to the Broomfield Emission Tech Center. The contact there is Justin and their number is 303 404 0265. Talking with him he told me that swapping in any LS would basically be impossible to pass Colorado emissions. He was saying that the E-Rod kit that GM sells would qualify as it is EPA certified for any 1995 or older vehicle. Colorado needs form DR-2365 to pass emissions, and the E-Rod kit will get us this. Doesnt matter that some of our cars (at the oldest) are 38 years old, even with collector car plates we'd still have to pass emissions every 5 years. Cats have to be in the same position that they were in originally, and no check engine light. Hope this helps others out there.
interesting. I found these link below, seems to show how to get the dr-2365 form. Basically have to have all the emissions equipment that came originally with the swap donor. But I think I sent you to the wrong place; we need to talk to the tech center to evaluate and get the dr-2365.

https://risingsun4x4club.org/xf/thre...ir-care.22746/


https://www.jkowners.com/forum/modif...-colorado.html
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Old Jan 17, 2020 | 06:49 AM
  #17  
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From: Denver CO
Car: 1986 2.8 Camaro
Engine: TPI 350
Transmission: Tremec TKO
Re: Getting around Emissions

Originally Posted by TGSeavs
interesting. I found these link below, seems to show how to get the dr-2365 form. Basically have to have all the emissions equipment that came originally with the swap donor. But I think I sent you to the wrong place; we need to talk to the tech center to evaluate and get the dr-2365.

https://risingsun4x4club.org/xf/thre...ir-care.22746/


https://www.jkowners.com/forum/modif...-colorado.html
Yes we would have to have all of the emissions equipment in place from the donor vehicle. He also told me that the ECM from the donor would have to match which transmission you decide to run (i.e. Auto trans needs Auto ECM). Not sure that really matters for us, but I thought it was worth mentioning..
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Old Jan 17, 2020 | 11:56 AM
  #18  
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Re: Getting around Emissions

Originally Posted by GM Man
Yes we would have to have all of the emissions equipment in place from the donor vehicle. He also told me that the ECM from the donor would have to match which transmission you decide to run (i.e. Auto trans needs Auto ECM). Not sure that really matters for us, but I thought it was worth mentioning..
It seems that the VIN in the PCM will need to match the engine and trans type installed. I'm actually not discouraged by this. I read somewhere that the 02-04 Yukons had no EGR and 2 cats, if that is a configuration you're looking for. Either way, lots of different forums discuss engine swaps for almost every type of vehicle in CO.
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