Engine Swap Laws

Kauaibuilt47 · Mar 24, 2007

Mods: feel free to move in wrong section.

Aiight, Im 150mi from Barstow, CA and realized something. My V6 is waaaay to small to be hauling what I got. Coming through the S. Oregon/Nor Cal passes and the high desert passes left me wanting something more(30-40 mph....C'mon!).

So, looking online it doesnt look like I need to worry about emissions testing being in Yelm area. However, I did find an EPA law stating that you may do engine swaps as long as it is similar to an "engine design for that vehicle chassis."

I read this as you can swap a 5.7 in lieu of a 4.3 in a FS Chevy truck, but since the 5.7 wasnt produced in an S10 technically I wouldnt be able to do the swap.

Few questions:
1. Does anyone have a better/different law pertaining to this?
2. For those who have done it in a DD do you have problems w/ LEO or passing emissions?

Thanks gang!

PS - if anyone knows a shop in barstow/victorville/high desert area that has done/can do the V6-V8 swap let me know (and I mean trust to do your own swap - not just some rag-tag mutha). ill be in the market for it as soon as my moms house sells.

Lucky Jeff · Mar 24, 2007

what exactly are you towing with an S10??

2pwrlftrs4u · Mar 24, 2007

no emissions in thurston county ....i'm not too far from yelm

Toyotanut · Mar 24, 2007

nother thing you have to think about is I believe that the donor motor has to come out of the same year or newer...not 100% sure on that, just what I've heard

Stokes · Mar 24, 2007

Toyotanut said:
nother thing you have to think about is I believe that the donor motor has to come out of the same year or newer...not 100% sure on that, just what I've heard

thats what i herd also. cannot pass if they run the numbers and the motor is older. but then again it sounds like you dont have to worry about emissions in your area.

Kauaibuilt47 · Mar 24, 2007

Lucky Jeff said:
what exactly are you towing with an S10??

Army PCS'd (moved) me to Cali. had to take everything I need to include my motorbike.

That and the lift/tires/etc that I put on the truck.

Yeah, I saw that it has to be the same year or newer too.

So, it looks like as long as you dont need emissions you wont have problems.. As in its only illegal if you get caught.....Hmmmmmm!

Lucky Jeff · Mar 24, 2007

Kauaibuilt47 said:
So, it looks like as long as you dont need emissions you wont have problems.. As in its only illegal if you get caught.....Hmmmmmm!

well hell if that's the only problem, I'd be swapping it tomorrow