Smog worthy engine swap
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
Luckily here they are very relaxed on inspections.no smog checking.heck one place I go they just look at the cars outside condition and if it looks taken care of.thats it, he just sticks a new sticker on and takes my 5bucks.across the state line they check emissions but the older cars are exempt.I can put anything under the hood.they are more worried about window tent.go figure.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: San Jacinto CA
ZZ4..I have a ZZ3 with all options it came with and always pass. The trick is to bolt on all the smog equipment, carb, pump the works. Many of my c3 1981 friends have zz4 and 3s. Now if you want to register the car as a historic vehicle, meaning its just for car shows clubs event etc. you do not have to smog it. Let me say this even with the smog garbage bolted back onto the zz3 motor, its a rocket. Really worth it hands down.
Holley HP EFI w/TPI
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Kanata ON
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 403
Likes: 14
From: antelope ca
=coda2112;1576698922]ZZ4..I have a ZZ3 with all options it came with and always pass. The trick is to bolt on all the smog equipment, carb, pump the works. Many of my c3 1981 friends have zz4 and 3s. Now if you want to register the car as a historic vehicle, meaning its just for car shows clubs event etc. you do not have to smog it. Let me say this even with the smog garbage bolted back onto the zz3 motor, its a rocket. Really worth it hands down.[/QUOTE]
What is the approx, cost of zz3?
What is the approx, cost of zz3?
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,702
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
As long as you don't go too crazy with an HP engine, you should be fine with most crate engines. Realize that your limitation will be your exhaust. A high flow catalytic converter will help a lot, but the 2 into 1 into 2 exhaust will always be somewhat restrictive. Changing that is risky though. If anyone looks, you won't pass smog.
What makes you think that you need a new engine? Is the old one upgradable?
What makes you think that you need a new engine? Is the old one upgradable?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,702
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
You're either going to have to decide or get some help deciding if the block needs to be changed. Kind of hard to test the rings and condition with a leaking head gasket.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: San Jacinto CA
=coda2112;1576698922]ZZ4..I have a ZZ3 with all options it came with and always pass. The trick is to bolt on all the smog equipment, carb, pump the works. Many of my c3 1981 friends have zz4 and 3s. Now if you want to register the car as a historic vehicle, meaning its just for car shows clubs event etc. you do not have to smog it. Let me say this even with the smog garbage bolted back onto the zz3 motor, its a rocket. Really worth it hands down.
They no longer make the ZZ3. It was replaced with the ZZ4, but it's basically the same motor just a bit newer. You can still use many parts of your current motor for the swap. Someone else might chime in here regarding costs but am thinking 3-4 k complete. It will bolt right into your bay and transmission will also bolt right up. Trust me you will be very happy with the power. Absolutely no comparison with the stock wimpy power plant. And best of all, it will smog out perfectly. I am sent to a state site every two years. They spend 30 minutes under the hood underneath the car looking for a reason to reject it but no luck. In goes the sniffer and I win. Even the inspector thinks its a stock 1981. If it passes smog who really cares whats under the hood. I had some custom headers made and will install them in a few months. Running duals with dual cats. Yes an LS3 is a great motor. Got 8k you want to spend on one?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 403
Likes: 14
From: antelope ca
They no longer make the ZZ3. It was replaced with the ZZ4, but it's basically the same motor just a bit newer. You can still use many parts of your current motor for the swap. Someone else might chime in here regarding costs but am thinking 3-4 k complete. It will bolt right into your bay and transmission will also bolt right up. Trust me you will be very happy with the power. Absolutely no comparison with the stock wimpy power plant. And best of all, it will smog out perfectly. I am sent to a state site every two years. They spend 30 minutes under the hood underneath the car looking for a reason to reject it but no luck. In goes the sniffer and I win. Even the inspector thinks its a stock 1981. If it passes smog who really cares whats under the hood. I had some custom headers made and will install them in a few months. Running duals with dual cats. Yes an LS3 is a great motor. Got 8k you want to spend on one?[/QUOTE]
How much do you have to retard the timing when getting your car smogged.
How much do you have to retard the timing when getting your car smogged.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
They no longer make the ZZ3. It was replaced with the ZZ4, but it's basically the same motor just a bit newer. You can still use many parts of your current motor for the swap. Someone else might chime in here regarding costs but am thinking 3-4 k complete. It will bolt right into your bay and transmission will also bolt right up. Trust me you will be very happy with the power. Absolutely no comparison with the stock wimpy power plant. And best of all, it will smog out perfectly. I am sent to a state site every two years. They spend 30 minutes under the hood underneath the car looking for a reason to reject it but no luck. In goes the sniffer and I win. Even the inspector thinks its a stock 1981. If it passes smog who really cares whats under the hood. I had some custom headers made and will install them in a few months. Running duals with dual cats. Yes an LS3 is a great motor. Got 8k you want to spend on one?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
they didnt give you a hard time about the double cats ? ? stock the car comes with one right ? thought it had to be back to stock..
I have a fed car so dont need the put and all that stuff.. but if i can do the double cats and get away with it im almost good.. just have headers on,,,
How much do you have to retard the timing when getting your car smogged.[/QUOTE]
I have a fed car so dont need the put and all that stuff.. but if i can do the double cats and get away with it im almost good.. just have headers on,,,
They no longer make the ZZ3. It was replaced with the ZZ4, but it's basically the same motor just a bit newer. You can still use many parts of your current motor for the swap. Someone else might chime in here regarding costs but am thinking 3-4 k complete. It will bolt right into your bay and transmission will also bolt right up. Trust me you will be very happy with the power. Absolutely no comparison with the stock wimpy power plant. And best of all, it will smog out perfectly. I am sent to a state site every two years. They spend 30 minutes under the hood underneath the car looking for a reason to reject it but no luck. In goes the sniffer and I win. Even the inspector thinks its a stock 1981. If it passes smog who really cares whats under the hood. I had some custom headers made and will install them in a few months. Running duals with dual cats. Yes an LS3 is a great motor. Got 8k you want to spend on one?
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: San Jacinto CA
they didnt give you a hard time about the double cats ? ? stock the car comes with one right ? thought it had to be back to stock..
I have a fed car so dont need the put and all that stuff.. but if i can do the double cats and get away with it im almost good.. just have headers on,,,
How much do you have to retard the timing when getting your car smogged.
I have a fed car so dont need the put and all that stuff.. but if i can do the double cats and get away with it im almost good.. just have headers on,,,
How much do you have to retard the timing when getting your car smogged.
I run it a 6 degrees for smog then up to 22 degrees after that. That is where my motor runs well according to the dyno. But that's a zz3 the zz4 requires a different setting, but I just set it according to the smog sticker on the inside hood. The smog station checks it with their timing light and if matches am all good. When I left it at 33 degrees I was rejected and had to reset it, I forgot to adjust it before I went there. Dual cats, just depends where you go. Some shops wont smog a dual cat car some will. Ask around if your going to run dual cats. You can also change out your pipes for smog then but your duals back on.
