Northern California Ford racer's Message Board Forum Sell & Buy Ford Parts in Northern California Classifieds Mustang Pictures / Videos of Ford Cars in Northern California

Northern California Ford Owners  


Post New Topic  Post a Ford message board Reply
read DMs/my profile login | join CAFords | search | faq |
  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Northern California Ford Owners     » Automotive   » Tech Talk   » engine swap legality question ???

 - Email this post to someone!    
Author Topic: engine swap legality question ???
Procharged2Kv6
¯
Member # 1563

Ford Icon 2 posted      Profile for Procharged2Kv6  Ford pictures for Procharged2Kv6    Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
if you swap your engine..per se, i started out w/ a GT and wanted to swap w/ a Cobra Motor..

would that be legal..or, smog legal???

since you're car is registered for a GT...and they notice a Cobra motor..

would that pass smog??

--------------------
2006 C6 Victory Red
Manual 6 Speed
Stock, For Now!

*SOLD*2003 Cobra Vert
*SOLD*Supercharged V6 Stang
(11PSI)

Posts: 579 | From: San Francisco, CA | Registered: Jul 2002  |  :
94gt
¯
Member # 3060

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for 94gt  Ford pictures for 94gt  Author's Homepage     Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
I was told by one tech that you can go up in years (newer technology) but cannot go up in CID.
like v-6 to a v-8 would be a no-no....
I dont know if this is 100% accurate, but im jsut tossing in my .02
[Razz]

--------------------
2020 Explorer ST
2011 Silver Raptor 'Screw

Posts: 5777 | From: Beavercreek, OH | Registered: Jul 2003  |  :
wilit
Mustang Messiah
Member # 3367

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for wilit  Ford pictures for wilit  Author's Homepage     Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
As long as the engine is not older than the vehicle, and it has the correct smog equipment for that particular model year engine, most engine swaps are smog legal. The problem is, most of the time you have to go to a referee and get a tag on the door sill.

--------------------
"If a man hasn't found something worth dying for, he isn't fit to live." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Posts: 4793 | From: 37.78514° North 122.40100° West | Registered: Oct 2003  |  :
Quick 88LX
¯
Member # 1950

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for Quick 88LX  Ford pictures for Quick 88LX  Author's Homepage     Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
quote:
Originally posted by wilit:
As long as the engine is not older than the vehicle, and it has the correct smog equipment for that particular model year engine, most engine swaps are smog legal. The problem is, most of the time you have to go to a referee and get a tag on the door sill.

YES

--------------------
"Men are Made, Not Born"
Car Picture : http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/quick88lx/
Original Member #495. Can I get my number back?

Posts: 1785 | From: Fairfield, CA/Okinawa, Japan | Registered: Oct 2002  |  :
Procharged2Kv6
¯
Member # 1563

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for Procharged2Kv6  Ford pictures for Procharged2Kv6    Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
just making sure (b/c motor may go out in a year or two)...

1) as long as motor is same year or newer than the car..
2) must get a "tag" from a referee to say its legality

therefore, if my car is registered as a V6, and i want to put a Cobra Motor, it's ok, as long as i get it "tagged" by a referee...

--------------------
2006 C6 Victory Red
Manual 6 Speed
Stock, For Now!

*SOLD*2003 Cobra Vert
*SOLD*Supercharged V6 Stang
(11PSI)

Posts: 579 | From: San Francisco, CA | Registered: Jul 2002  |  :
wilit
Mustang Messiah
Member # 3367

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for wilit  Ford pictures for wilit  Author's Homepage     Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
quote:
Originally posted by Procharged2Kv6:
just making sure (b/c motor may go out in a year or two)...

1) as long as motor is same year or newer than the car..
2) must get a "tag" from a referee to say its legality

therefore, if my car is registered as a V6, and i want to put a Cobra Motor, it's ok, as long as i get it "tagged" by a referee...

I'm fairly certain that's how it works. You might want to call and talk to a couple of "referees" just to make sure. I say talk to a couple, because you'll probably get a few different answers. Once you get the answer you want, make sure you take the car to that guy to get inspected [patriot]

--------------------
"If a man hasn't found something worth dying for, he isn't fit to live." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Posts: 4793 | From: 37.78514° North 122.40100° West | Registered: Oct 2003  |  :
Blind
2.3L
CAFords OG
Member # 3052

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for Blind  Ford pictures for Blind    Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
its considered a motor upgrade, I just went through this converting my car from 4 cyl to v8.

smog ref told me I don't even need a door tag, I only have to pass smog as an `89 5.0L mustang, nothing special is needed.

--------------------
89 LX Notchback ex 4cyl, 14psi
02 Harley F150, 15psi

Posts: 8521 | From: Fairfield | Registered: Jul 2003  |  :
Procharged2Kv6
¯
Member # 1563

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for Procharged2Kv6  Ford pictures for Procharged2Kv6    Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
quote:
Originally posted by blind:
its considered a motor upgrade, I just went through this converting my car from 4 cyl to v8.

smog ref told me I don't even need a door tag, I only have to pass smog as an `89 5.0L mustang, nothing special is needed.

so basically, i just need to pass smog w/o letting anyone know... even if my car is registered as a "V6"... its ok to do motor upgrade as long as a i pass for whatever year motor (99+ for me) ...??? thanks again!!

--------------------
2006 C6 Victory Red
Manual 6 Speed
Stock, For Now!

*SOLD*2003 Cobra Vert
*SOLD*Supercharged V6 Stang
(11PSI)

Posts: 579 | From: San Francisco, CA | Registered: Jul 2002  |  :
94gt
¯
Member # 3060

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for 94gt  Ford pictures for 94gt  Author's Homepage     Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
quote:
Originally posted by blind:
its considered a motor upgrade, I just went through this converting my car from 4 cyl to v8.

smog ref told me I don't even need a door tag, I only have to pass smog as an `89 5.0L mustang, nothing special is needed.

Reeeeeeaaaaaly? hmmmmm..... this gets me thinking about the future... [Razz]

--------------------
2020 Explorer ST
2011 Silver Raptor 'Screw

Posts: 5777 | From: Beavercreek, OH | Registered: Jul 2003  |  :
Blind
2.3L
CAFords OG
Member # 3052

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for Blind  Ford pictures for Blind    Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
so long as the engine is offered in your year vehical as an option, then its really not a big deal, you just need to pass smog as that motor combo would require in your year car's frame.

--------------------
89 LX Notchback ex 4cyl, 14psi
02 Harley F150, 15psi

Posts: 8521 | From: Fairfield | Registered: Jul 2003  |  :
94gt
¯
Member # 3060

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for 94gt  Ford pictures for 94gt  Author's Homepage     Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
quote:
Originally posted by blind:
so long as the engine is offered in your year vehical as an option, then its really not a big deal, you just need to pass smog as that motor combo would require in your year car's frame.

what about another manufacturer... like a 95 saleen? [patriot]

--------------------
2020 Explorer ST
2011 Silver Raptor 'Screw

Posts: 5777 | From: Beavercreek, OH | Registered: Jul 2003  |  :
Wolfie351
¯
Member # 651

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for Wolfie351  Ford pictures for Wolfie351    Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
While everything previously posted is true...if your car is still under emissions warranty, it is illegal to remove any functioning smog equipment. California requires extended emissions warranties on all cars sold which may exceed the normal manufacturer warranty and it doesn't matter if you bought it new or used. If your car is still has an emissions warranty, the smog ref will NOT issue you a BAR sticker.

--------------------
1985 Mustang GT: 351W, Griggs, Baer, etc etc

Posts: 1214 | From: South Bay | Registered: Dec 2001  |  :
AZTECLX
¯
Member # 674

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for AZTECLX  Ford pictures for AZTECLX    Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
What about insurance? I mean say your car gets stolen with it’s new heart (Cobra engine) yet all the paper work still says that it’s a V6. Will they reimburse you for a V6 or the new Cobra heart? Just make sure you ask (your insurance provider) what would happen in if that where to happen. I'm also pretty sure your rates will go up too. Good luck

--------------------
California Notary Public

If you have/need documents too be notarized..hit me up

Posts: 950 | From: San Jose... | Registered: Dec 2001  |  :
94gt
¯
Member # 3060

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for 94gt  Ford pictures for 94gt  Author's Homepage     Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
any1 know about more specifics? say a 94 with a 302 "upgrading" to an s351's engine???

--------------------
2020 Explorer ST
2011 Silver Raptor 'Screw

Posts: 5777 | From: Beavercreek, OH | Registered: Jul 2003  |  :
Blind
2.3L
CAFords OG
Member # 3052

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for Blind  Ford pictures for Blind    Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
my car is insured as a 5.0L LX

it is $20 more every 6 months rather than insuring as a 2.3L...your milage may vary [patriot]

I have no idea on that 94gt, the smog ref I went to was in san bruno at skyline college, very cool guy, and he'd be the one to ask.

--------------------
89 LX Notchback ex 4cyl, 14psi
02 Harley F150, 15psi

Posts: 8521 | From: Fairfield | Registered: Jul 2003  |  :
v-town coupe
fordologist
Member # 2771

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for v-town coupe  Ford pictures for v-town coupe    Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
quote:
Originally posted by wilit:
As long as the engine is not older than the vehicle, and it has the correct smog equipment for that particular model year engine, most engine swaps are smog legal. The problem is, most of the time you have to go to a referee and get a tag on the door sill.

i know a guy who put an 89-v8 in his 84 s-10 and he said that"since its a newer motor and i have the smog equip its okay"and he had it tagged by a referee and its his daily driver now!
Posts: 4597 | From: the V-town | Registered: May 2003  |  :
mtbaughs
Road Racer
Member # 4052

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for mtbaughs  Ford pictures for mtbaughs    Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
I've done many 302 to 351 stroker conversions and had no issues having them pass smog. Just as with the 302 the car needs smog friendly mods on it. Most smog guys won't even notice it's a 351.

--------------------
R.I.P. Charlie Bruno Dec 2001

Posts: 2019 | From: Boise, Idaho | Registered: Jan 2004  |  :
94gt
¯
Member # 3060

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for 94gt  Ford pictures for 94gt  Author's Homepage     Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
quote:
Originally posted by mtbaughs:
I've done many 302 to 351 stroker conversions and had no issues having them pass smog. Just as with the 302 the car needs smog friendly mods on it. Most smog guys won't even notice it's a 351.

I'm just dreaming of doing my own 351 swap someday... [Razz]

--------------------
2020 Explorer ST
2011 Silver Raptor 'Screw

Posts: 5777 | From: Beavercreek, OH | Registered: Jul 2003  |  :


 
Post New Topic  Post a Ford message board Reply Close Topic   Feature Topic   Move Topic   Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
 - Printer friendly view of this Ford topic
Hop To:

Questions/Requests/Suggestions? email CAFords



Fueled by Ford Mustang Owners
on CaliforniaFords.com