what all can you do to a pre smog vehicle in CA?

[CAJJ93XJ]

just out of curiosity. what engine swaps can you do to a pre smog vehicle? I'm thinking I want to get a 1974 datsun pickup and build it. but of course I'd want to swap the engine and a couple other things.. it would pretty much end up just being datsun skins with turn signals, headlights, and brake lights. I know you don't have to see a referee for pre smog. so what all can I get away with and still get tags on it? 5.3 vortec

thoughts? it's not a plan. just daydreaming at work

 

[spudly]

Anything, right now.

There has been talk for years that they are going to repeal the '75 and before clause and make all vehicles conform to their year smog standards. I don't think it will ever happen, but you never know.

I have a '71 Chevy K20 that is getting a 6.0L LS motor and drivetrain put it in it. It still will not require any smog equipment or to be smogged.

I am keeping the cats and other federal emissions equipment on it just so I'm not fighting the computer all the time. Im gaining three gears and about 250 HP, so the few I loose to the emissions equipment doesn't bother me.

Basically if it has the required road equipment and meets the sound levels, sound laws now seem to vary by area so check before you run straight headers, you can put whatever motor and drivetrain you want in it.

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

dude that's awesome. that makes me seriously consider finishing my project cherokee and selling it

I don't mind running cats at all. and as far as sound goes in my area I've been pretty damn loud in front of cops before (cat fell off the old jeep) and they've never bothered me. my buddy is currently building a tube buggy blazer with ORI's in front, 2.0's with bypasses rear, custom ruffstuff housings with eaton 3rd's, and a V8. he's gonna go race KOH and he's in that thing for about 10k. I'm thinking that sounds fun.. and I could still go a few miles down the street instead of having to trailer it everywhere

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

well. at least if he qualifies. alright so lets say the long term plan is finish the jeep, then start building an unlimited chassis out of a 1974 datsun pickup, then part out the jeep in a couple years. keep the 1 ton axles and run them on the datsun.

try to qualify for KOH 2018



alright but seriously. I want a very built crawler that I can still get CA tags for and drive on the road if necessary. anyone else have any insight?

 

[souske]

you dont have to smog it, so how would they ever know what you had done?

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

you dont have to smog it, so how would they ever know what you had done?

I read on a topic discussion that if you do get a fixit (for who knows what) you have to get it checked off by a referee. not sure what he would say exactly.

or if I have a big red fuel cell hanging out in the back, can anything be said about that? it all just sounds too good to be true which is why I question it

 

[souske]

If you are that worried, I would pay the modest fee to go talk to the smog referee

if you get a fixit for a cracked windsheild, you dont have to go to the smog ref, you just have to have a cop sign it off.

That being said, i would try not to be flagrant about it ( big red fuel cell in pain sight)

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

like this?

http://www.bar.ca.gov/pubwebquery/station/stationlist.aspx
http://www.foundationccc.org/WhatWeDo/SmogCheckRefereeProgram/tabid/563/Default.aspx

 

[blondejoncherokee]

Pre-75 is fair game for whatever

 

[souske]

yes, your second link.
The fee is lower than a smog check, might be worth the piece of mind

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

yes, your second link.
The fee is lower than a smog check, might be worth the piece of mind

thanks. I'll check it out, I didn't know you could do that.



here's the pic (2nd) that inspired all this. might have to get some mudflaps for mine..
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/21023841-post24.html

 

[blondejoncherokee]

Ive owned like 3 pre smog rigs in the past. Love/Hate relationship. If you are replacing the motor and tranny and everything else, then you'll be fine. Ive learned to hate things like carburetors and 3 speed manual trannys compared to a fuel injected i6 and a aw4.

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

Ive owned like 3 pre smog rigs in the past. Love/Hate relationship. If you are replacing the motor and tranny and everything else, then you'll be fine. Ive learned to hate things like carburetors and 3 speed manual trannys compared to a fuel injected i6 and a aw4.

yeah I wasn't really planning on a running 1.8L as my powerplant. I'll finish the jeep and wheel the balls out of it for awhile and start looking into a new build.

 

[spudly]

Ive owned like 3 pre smog rigs in the past. Love/Hate relationship. If you are replacing the motor and tranny and everything else, then you'll be fine. Ive learned to hate things like carburetors and 3 speed manual trannys compared to a fuel injected i6 and a aw4.

Exactly! I got tired of riding the redline at 65 and trying to get the carb to stay where I wanted it. That and having the thing die on me when off camber or at larger inclines.

Plus the whole 2011 drivetrain fell in my lap. Damn mechanic friends!

 

[yossarian19]

I did some reading before starting the LS swap in my '57, I didn't come up with anything at all that would keep me from getting tags running without cats, charcoal canister, etc. Pre 70-whatever, they just don't give a damn.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

I don't have to SMOG my heep either, so I can do what I want. Funds permitting, of course.