vetteman81
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 403
Likes: 14
From: antelope ca
vetteman81
I am getting ready to put a new crate motor 290hp/350cu in my 1981 will I have any trouble with getting it to smog because it is not the original motor. Any one in Calif. please advise.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Depends on what you mean by any trouble.... I suppose the engine will have some documents or a disclaimer on whether it is 50 state emissions legal or not.
The reality of the situation is that you will likely have to visit a referee station and the new engine will be required to meet the emissions standards for a 1981 MY. Given that there no longer exists any warranty engines from GM the certification might be a bit easier or a whole lot more complicated..... I don't know for sure having never done it. You might want to vist the dmv.ca.gov site or the CARB site and do some reading to find out what the requirements are before you create a car you can't legally daily drive.
The third option is to install it and all emissions equipment as from the factory and not say a word since it is just a replacement. At 290HP I doubt the cam is in any way radical like the 350/355.
The reality of the situation is that you will likely have to visit a referee station and the new engine will be required to meet the emissions standards for a 1981 MY. Given that there no longer exists any warranty engines from GM the certification might be a bit easier or a whole lot more complicated..... I don't know for sure having never done it. You might want to vist the dmv.ca.gov site or the CARB site and do some reading to find out what the requirements are before you create a car you can't legally daily drive.
The third option is to install it and all emissions equipment as from the factory and not say a word since it is just a replacement. At 290HP I doubt the cam is in any way radical like the 350/355.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
They may not even notice the difference.
Don't say anything unless they ask. They don't check block numbers - only VIN numbers. The inspection is only visual and they are looking for the [I]smog[I] equipment. As long as the smog gear is there it could be a 400" or greater motor. I expect it to pass the gas sniff test easily once its truely broken it and rings are sealed.
Just keep it to yourself and don't volinteer anything 'bout engine changes.
Good luck and let us know how it works out,
cardo0
Just keep it to yourself and don't volinteer anything 'bout engine changes.
Good luck and let us know how it works out,
cardo0
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
I've given this more thought and a wee bit of research. Since you are replacing the same size and configuration of engine there should not be any problems so long as you install all original emissions equipment (just keep the cam info and compression stuff to yourself).
However, when you install say a '91 L98 engine into the older '81 L81 then the car goes to the Ref station and if it passes then it gets a new VIN to reflect the newer emissions standard that has to meet the year of the replacement engine.
However, when you install say a '91 L98 engine into the older '81 L81 then the car goes to the Ref station and if it passes then it gets a new VIN to reflect the newer emissions standard that has to meet the year of the replacement engine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 775
Likes: 290
From: Middleton, Id
The testing station will have no idea its not the original. As long as it passes the visual and snifer tests your good to go. This means all original equipment must be installed and the check engine light functioning. I have rebuilt mine with some head work and a cam and it tests fine. Just make sure at test time your timing is set to stock - you can advance it when you are done testing.
