TRAP AM

I am doing a ls1/t56 swap from a 2000 z28 into my 82 trans am and I want it to be smog legal, I would like have some help with it from somebody that has done a smog legal ls swap here in central california.

Ramair21

iTrader: (3)

Its fairly simple. Everything regarding smog that is on that 2000 Z28 needs to be in your 82 Trans am in the exact location as the Z28.

RamIt

Easier said then done. The cats will not fit in the same location so you have to get an ok to relocate them farther back than the 3" allowed.

You should to talk with an inspector before you start your conversion. The guys there are willing to help and sometimes you can find a guy that really likes the idea.

thtanner

iTrader: (1)

Doing this in 2017, so tagging this thread for progress updates.

nhra-trans-am

iTrader: (7)

This thread might help
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...rnia-smog.html

TRAP AM

I have already talked to one smog ref a couple times over the phone, I am going call again to see I can do about the cats, The trouble is that I got buy 2 new ones since the driver side cat is cracked pretty bad because the guy that I got the donor car from drove over railroad tracks fast. another issue is ground clearance, I understand that 4th gen ls1 cats hang little low on 3rd gens, not good since I live on dirt road that is kind of rough. so I am going have modify the cats and make the exhaust where it will clear the some of spots in the road.

TRAP AM

I am going to start a build thread here soon, I just got get my dads shop cleaned up to the point where I can use it to work on my car. I hoping to get it in there within the next 2 weeks if all goes to plan.

bombader

I just jumped into this also, I got a LS1/T56, and plastic tank from a 2002 T/A going into my 89 IROC, unfortunately I didn't get the smog pump and some of the hoses though.

yaj15

iTrader: (3)

I'll follow along to. How much should I pay for a 4th gen donor car?

bombader

Obviously depends on the condition of the donor and how much you wanna do/take from it, I've seen em as low as $2k but that was a high mile wreaked '98 the least desirable year but you might be able to find a decent one in the $3-5k range.

tshack

posting to keep track of thread.

Ramair21

iTrader: (3)

Umm.... i did it

thtanner

iTrader: (1)

What did you do?

Cats in the same position, or got an OK to relocate them 3" back?

RamIt

Post some details on your meeting with your referee.
I assume you now have a BAR sticker on your chassis now?

TRAP AM

Sorry guys I have not worked on my car yet, my cash flow has paused up do to not having enough work. Also I am trying to sell donor car that I got the parts off or for my swap. I will post a update when I start working on my car.

mikeceli

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the update.

TRAP AM

Question what about the wiring harness and do i need the body control module?

84 1LE

iTrader: (9)

Depends on how some define smog legal too.All the ones I know of are under the table "legal".Big issue seems to be getting the evap working as original as the sender is part of the evap/emissions system.

TRAP AM

Question, how in the heck do I get the stock 2000 ls1 passenger side catalytic convert to fit in?
I did try a carb legal magnaflow universal catalytic converter and's there is no stinken way that thing will fit, Unless I had a 99 ls1 set up.

84 1LE

iTrader: (9)

I got two to fit, so one should be possible.Granted these are not the same style, but maybe will give you some ideas.

Pass.Ive got the modified 4th gen manifolds, if anyone's interested.

TRAP AM

I see that you have a ls3 setup, I was actually considering doing ls3, but now I have decided to sell my ls1 engine along with the donor car since I can't seem to get the catalytic converters to fit in right. I will keep the my T56 and buy a used ls3 out of a 5th gen, I know I can get more power out of it legally if I modify it with carb legal parts then I can with a ls1.

84 1LE

iTrader: (9)

Erod actually, but yes same ls3 as a 5th gen.Should have even more room for the cats with the manual, than the auto.

Jwydler24

I'm pretty sure I am late to this forum but getting ready to do some type of 1992 Camaro build. Have a 305 car but just can't sit on a 305. I see you can get the ls 5.3 engines everywhere for cheap but my understanding is that you can't use these in a car, since they are "truck engines". Is this true? any help is appreciated.

TRAP AM

That is true you can not install a 5.3 truck engine into it. check this link out.
https://www.bar.ca.gov/Industry/Engi...uidelines.html

TRAP AM

I almost given up on swapping my ls1 in but I am trying a couple of tricks before I try the ls3 route, I start a build thread here when I have chance and post some pics.

bombader

Don't give up, I'm rooting for you I need to do the same.

TRAP AM

Quick question do the smog refs really check the number on the blocks? and does the block have to come from the same exact car as ecm did?, I am just asking this because I went ahead and bought a rebuilt ls1 short block for $700 that came from a different 2000 camaro which is same year as my donor car that i got the ecm, transmission and accessories ect out of.

TRAP AM

Update I just ordered a magnaflow direct fit catalytic converter to test fit. I will let you guys know how it goes here in a week or two.

Aviator857

What model number did you order? I'm working on the LS1 swap into an 1989, I don't have to but I'm considering keeping it smog legal... my county doesn't test but the ones around me do so its a matter of time. Though the surrounding counties just pull your computer codes and don't even probe it.

TRAP AM

the part # is 448489, but that is a 50 state catalytic converter that is made for cars here in California. I suggest a 49 state catalytic converter since your in Georgia.

TRAP AM

TRAP AM

I am lucky enough to have a mock up block, bought it used for $220, saves a lot of hassles!. Anyhow I moved the block up forward and to the the left somewhat and I did get the catalytic converter to fit but I will have to clock to where tail end of it won't be hitting the sub-frame. Now the drives side o2 sensor is hitting on the k-member, so I am going buy a UMI road race k-member to try get some room for the o2 sensor.
Also will be making a new set of engine mounts. I will try to keep you guys posted, I want to have my T/A running by this coming summer

TRAP AM

Here's little update I have bought a UMI road race tubular k-member which is suppose to arrive here tomorrow, I am going have to make new frame mounts to fit the ls1 forward which is no problem for me, the engine will be a inch and 1/4 forward from the stock position. Shall be interesting to see if the ac compressor will fit down low, anyhow I don't have measurements on how far to the left the engine is, so I got reinstall my mock up block and get that taken care of. I do know that drivers side cat-converter will fit if I cut the tail end off of right behind the rear o2 sensor. I'll post more updates as i go along with my build.

TRAP AM

TRAP AM

Now there will be no problem far as clearance for the upper drivers side o2 sensor.

bigcatlett

Any new updates?

mikeceli

iTrader: (2)

The words "simple" and Ca SMOG don't belong in the same sentence.

TRAP AM

Sorry guys I haven't been making much progress as I want to, due to cash flow plus and hurting my back earlier this year, I have been replacing the battery tray which didn't fit right even though it was made for 3rd gens so I had to modify it to fit, Will hopfully be doing a k-member swap here soon, then install the engine and transmisson, I am not going to make anymore predictions on when I have running because that always seem to jinks me. But I can tell you that I doing autocross and road course racing my car some open road and drag racing as well.

Aviator857

Fwiw other than my cold air intake my swap should be 50 states smog legal. The only modifications I made was to re clock the cat flanges so they fit a little better in the trans tunnel. Bmr k-member, t56 manual, donor factory egr, donor factory AIR injecton and pump, donor factory cats exact distance from exhaust manifold as stock but reclocked slightly. Muffler from the donor. Stock pcm with only VATS deleted. I am running a 180 degree vs 187 degree themost, but that wasn't required that was a choice.

Only downside is you have to drop pass cat to change the rear spark plugs, but if you did an ac deletion that wouldn't be needed.

But enjoy the journey working on it is half the fun.

bombader

Hope you've made some progress, I made a bit on mine, I had an appointment with the ref in Alameda a bit ago but my car was too low to fit on his above ground dyno and since i got my engine off craigslist and didn't have a receipt for it he had me take it to the dealership to get the VIN and PCM flash verified, I had used HP Tuners to delete VATS and adjust the tach resolution, wheel size, and rear end gear ratio but the dealer tech told me that some of the PCM calibrations were unknown and the ref wouldn't pass it so that they needed to flash a stock factory tune which would reactivate VATS, I don't know the history of the engine so I don't know if the tune was previously tuned or if the limited changes I made with HP Tuners changed the calibrations the dealer said wouldn't fly with the ref. So now I don't know if I should just make my changes in HP Tuners and try the dealer or ref again or try a different method to disable VATS or if I have to go through everything it takes to get VATS working

TRAP AM

Try a vats bypass module, that's what i am doing however I am hiding underneath dash because it doesn't have a Carb EO# on and the refs don't want anything aftermarket underneath hood unless its has a Carb EO# for that engine, I not guaranteeing that it will be cause of that.

mikeceli

iTrader: (2)

GOTTA LOVE CALI! We have needles, human feces, bums camping in the streets and they spend SO much time nitpicking decent folks trying to enjoy their (hardly driven) older cars!

kenbob

Look up NorCal third gen on Facebook talk to Desmond he is our smog legal LS guy he and a couple others did it because people said they couldn't

ironwill

The relatively small handful of Left Coast hot rodders trying to get their cars smog-certified are a far easier target for The Man to go after---and thus justify his job---than any of the huge, polution-causing manufacturing or electricity-generating companies in that state.


Money changes everything.

bombader

Right on TRAP AM, I got one of those bypass modules and hooked it up under the dash a few weeks ago and I fixed my last check engine light for the clutch anticipation switch then I installed some new Eibach springs and 17" wheels so I could fit on the dyno and today i passed with the referee! So yes you can do a Cali legit swap without the dash or BCM

mikeceli

iTrader: (2)

"Bombader" what brand module did you buy? How deep into the dash must one access to install? Price? Thanks.

bombader

"mikeceli" I got the Timers.shop brand module its available through Amazon, ebay, and Hawk's for about $25 shipped. You can install it anywhere you want if you extend the wires, it only requires 12v ignition, ground, and one wire to the pcm

mikeceli

iTrader: (2)

Sorry I missed your reply, till now. Thanks. I installed a new, Delco VATS module this week to restore proper operation of my 89 IROC Z's VATS system.

Cali Z

Any update on this build? Just went through the whole thread and was hoping for a positive outcome!

kenbob

NorCal third gens of california on facebook we have 6 or 7 members that have completed a smog legal swap one was a summit LS3 drop in kit