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all the crate motor's i have seen always recommend installing them on pre '73 vehicles...i live in california and have a '74 so i am concerned with all the smog crapola. technically i shouldn't have to smog this car after 2004 (new law! maybe one more smog test in '04) -- should i be concerned about this, or should i wait? new engine and front suspension are the first major upgrades i want to do to my car (after a few cosmetic improvements i am planning on before the end of this year) -- i've also considered rebuilding the original 350 for originality purposes (i'm not too concerned with HP since i am a pretty conservative driver) but i would like the extra torque and HP for the hell of it.
'74 L48
4 speed, no factory options (no ac, power brakes, power steering...etc..)
So long as your original emissions equip is intact and functional and provided you have the new motor properly tuned i wouldnt expect that you will have problems getting it to pass emissions.
'74 is probably a lot easier to get away with than say...a 78 like mine...there have been forum members who have installed ZZ3's and 4's in their cars and passed emisisons testing, althoughI dont know if they were tested under IM240 like you will be in California or if they were tested under the old idle test. Testing on the dyno is designed to fail cars, that was its intention.
If your car is not equipped with EGR then you most likely wont have any problem as that is the major componant that these crate engines will not have - due to the lack of heat crossover in the heads and manifold.
Tuning is the big issue, the car must really be tuned properly to pass emissions. As to the rolling exemption, yes techincally you shouldnt have to smog in '04 although Ive ehard that they are driving that off the original sell date or some such and not the model year - but thats as maybe. The CARB seems keen to overturn that legislation, I'm not holding my breath that the law will still be inplace when my 78 becomes exempt.....
Just went to his site - excellent information by the way - especially the beer count - very representative - even if it was MGD :lol: - His results prove that a well tuned motor can pass emissions - it looked like he kept his rams horns manifolds and i assume the 2-1-2 exhaust through the catalytic convertor (which does most of the work) so a 74 should be a piece of cake.
His test was the IM240 test as well, Arizona is as tough on emissions as California in many ways. congrats to Bseery and good luck to yu.