CA crate or rebuild questions
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Azusa California
CA crate or rebuild questions
Hi All,
I have an '81 with the stock engine. It runs OK now (about how you'd expect for an old stocker), but I am considering a crate or rebuild down the road. I wanted to get some opinions....
I just drive it easy, no racing or anything, I'm not looking for a monster, just smooth and strong if you know what I mean. I would be looking to get some decent gas mileage, plus some decent oomph.
I'm concerned that if I get a crate, it won't pass smog. I understand that most of the crates aren't strictly legal here, but my standard is lower, just "pass smog". Here is So Cal, I think they just check the equipment is connected and operational, then run the sniffer...
I would like to go crate (not a monster!) since I think it would give me a long lasting solution....
If I rebuild, and maybe add a few things (headers), I could also increase power and pass smog. I would just need to find a good builder here in So Cal (San Gabriel Valley).... Or if you know any bad ones, let me know privately
Anyway, I'm just throwing this topic out there for your opinions, suggestions, and references (to good builders etc)...
Thanks
I have an '81 with the stock engine. It runs OK now (about how you'd expect for an old stocker), but I am considering a crate or rebuild down the road. I wanted to get some opinions....
I just drive it easy, no racing or anything, I'm not looking for a monster, just smooth and strong if you know what I mean. I would be looking to get some decent gas mileage, plus some decent oomph.
I'm concerned that if I get a crate, it won't pass smog. I understand that most of the crates aren't strictly legal here, but my standard is lower, just "pass smog". Here is So Cal, I think they just check the equipment is connected and operational, then run the sniffer...
I would like to go crate (not a monster!) since I think it would give me a long lasting solution....
If I rebuild, and maybe add a few things (headers), I could also increase power and pass smog. I would just need to find a good builder here in So Cal (San Gabriel Valley).... Or if you know any bad ones, let me know privately
Anyway, I'm just throwing this topic out there for your opinions, suggestions, and references (to good builders etc)...
Thanks
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Azusa California
Thanks
thanks for the response. I have tried to read every post out there. I am really trying to drill down on the details of what I have found, especially as it pertains to California's smog laws (or what I can get away with!)
So if anyone has experience with crate and CA smog, pls let me know..
So if anyone has experience with crate and CA smog, pls let me know..
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
I would think that vortec heads are "smog legal" since they were used on most chevy V8's from the late 90's and in to now. If you're rebuilding it, there's a bunch of stuff that's supposed to be CARB approved but they'd never know what you put inside it.
If you want to be 100% sure you could go with an edelbrock top end kit and that'll get you the power you want and it's all matched up for you. Anything edelbrock SHOULD be CARB approved.
If you want to be 100% sure you could go with an edelbrock top end kit and that'll get you the power you want and it's all matched up for you. Anything edelbrock SHOULD be CARB approved.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
I live in San Jose, Ca. and I own a 78Silver Ann., I just went thru the same thing you're talking about. What I did is have a local engine builder here in San Jose build me a 417ci SBC engine that has a mild roller rocker cam and Edlebrock EGR intake manifold and Quad. carb. I also retained the stock exhaust man and various smog equip.,although my car is originally from Arizona and is considered 49 state legal, which just means it doesn't have a smog pump and I don't need one since the car never had one. This car passes smog no problem and I'm sure it's close to 500ft/lbs of torque. This thing is a blast to drive. I also switched from a THM350 to a Munice 4-speed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,226
Likes: 399
From: Northern CA
I also own a '78... with matching numbers. I decide to keep the L-48 and do a .30 over rebuild... new exhaust manifolds, heads redone, a mild cam installed, new hoses, wires, painted the engine compartment and installed a new radiator and fan clutch.
I also put on new mufflers and a new catalytic converter.
I left it stock looking... but just like it left the showroom.
I left all the stock smog equipment on board including the AIR tubes, air pump etc.
The engine ran great!... Not only that... but much cleaner that before passing the stringent CA smog laws easily.
If you've got the original engine... and you're faced with smog inspections.... do yourself a favor. Keep it ...or get ready to deal with confused smog inspectors...and a hard to please CA air resources board.
I also put on new mufflers and a new catalytic converter.
I left it stock looking... but just like it left the showroom.
I left all the stock smog equipment on board including the AIR tubes, air pump etc.
The engine ran great!... Not only that... but much cleaner that before passing the stringent CA smog laws easily.
If you've got the original engine... and you're faced with smog inspections.... do yourself a favor. Keep it ...or get ready to deal with confused smog inspectors...and a hard to please CA air resources board.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Today, I started the Crate motor replacement on my 1980 California 305/180hp and Im installing the California friendly G.M. Crate 350/260 hp motor. The local dealer sold it to me for $1450. , that is the same that Jegs gets for the same motor delivered. It will meet all the Calif emissions, yet since Im now living in Oregon, I opted to do a few mods to mine. You can get the Edlbrock smog legal EGR manifold and carb. Since your Vette is most likely the 180hp 305 or the 190hp 350. The new 350/260 motor will give your Vette a hick in the pants and run on REGULAR! I say go for it. So far, with basically replacing EVERYTHING under the hood, Im now in it for $2500. You can barely rebuild one for that! Also, there is a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty on the motor.
Today, it only took me 3 1/2 hours to pull the motor. Tomorrow, the pressure washer comes out and I will clean up the motor compartment. If I have time, Ill swap all the brackets and install the manifold and carb. Wednesday is planned as the reinstall day. Thursday, if all goes well, Im headed to the Oregon coast!
BUY THE CRATE MOTOR!!!! As long as you reinstall the A.i.r. Manifolds and keep all the smog equipment, your car WILL PASS the test! 
Today, it only took me 3 1/2 hours to pull the motor. Tomorrow, the pressure washer comes out and I will clean up the motor compartment. If I have time, Ill swap all the brackets and install the manifold and carb. Wednesday is planned as the reinstall day. Thursday, if all goes well, Im headed to the Oregon coast!
BUY THE CRATE MOTOR!!!! As long as you reinstall the A.i.r. Manifolds and keep all the smog equipment, your car WILL PASS the test!
Last edited by 3rd_Vette; Aug 22, 2006 at 01:42 AM.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Originally Posted by snilloc58
Thanks everyone for the responses
Let me know how that crate comes out...
Steve
Let me know how that crate comes out...
Steve
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Well, the motor swap is now finished. It took 3 days. WELL WORTH IT! I just say, why did I wait soooo long? With 100+ extra HP, this car is really fun! Im taking it to the coast tomorrow to start my "break in" !
I just say, why did I wait soooo long? With 100+ extra HP, this car is really fun! Im taking it to the coast tomorrow to start my "break in" !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by 3rd_Vette
[B]Also, there is a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty on the motor.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Originally Posted by Bob Onit
I was pricing crates from local Chevrolet dealers and the warranty was only good for parts, not labor if customer installed
I just read it again. That is what it is written. I even called another Chevy dealer in the next county. They said the very same thing. Your dealer is incorrect.