How illegal are motor swaps? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

97camryman · 02-26-2005, 03:35 AM

Do cops really enforce the law on this subject? It seems that swapping an older engine into a newer car is illegal and going from OBDII to OBD1 is even worse. I was cruising some 240 forums when I came across a discussion where no one could agree on what was legal and what was not. Doe JDM matter that much? As in no EGR but still passes a sniffer test? People are saying that if you take an OBD2 car in they will go to plug it up and then realize its OBD1 and they will inform authorities that it is an illegal swap. Sounds unrealistic to me, so what should I believe? BTW I am swapping a 2nd gen 3SGTE into a 97 camry so going OBD2-OBD1. Also, when changing from an automatic to manual transmission do you need to get that registered too or is it cool to just let it go?

SmokingTires · 02-26-2005, 03:39 AM

It's onyl illegal if they are smart enough to notice

***Knailgun*** · 02-26-2005, 08:36 AM

You'll be ok, I wouldn't worry about it, most cops won't go that far to check up on the legality of it...they'de be more intersted in the exhaust...lol

CrawlingEye · 02-26-2005, 12:37 PM

just tell 'em it's a special addition 3sfe camry.

500KCamry · 02-26-2005, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrawlingEye

just tell 'em it's a special addition 3sfe camry.

Yeah, a "25th" anniversary edition

xpeed · 02-26-2005, 01:04 PM

Most cops don't know the difference between a gen 2 to a gen 5 engine. As long you don't get caught, it's legal in my theory.

amerikim · 02-26-2005, 02:17 PM

This is office Joe Bloe of the EPA, please post your phone number so we can call you.

Do they have emission checks in St Louis, MO?

I think that if someone were to notice, it would be there.

97camryman · 02-27-2005, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amerikim

This is office Joe Bloe of the EPA, please post your phone number so we can call you.

Do they have emission checks in St Louis, MO?

I think that if someone were to notice, it would be there.

Thats exactly what I am worried about. No cop is going to routiner stop me and check my engine out. I am switching engine tags anyways so it is still an S series block I just put a 3S head on it and turboed it, Its a 5S FTE, no one is going to tear into the internals to check it out. But, during emissions, a lot of questions can be brought up that I do not want to answer. "Why isn't your OBDII system hooked up?" or "Why isn't there any EGR system?" or "Where is your (fill in blank)?" I just want to be safe as possible.

Deuce · 02-27-2005, 04:07 AM

^^most cops aren't trained to look for EGR or OBDII systems. They'll look for modified exhaust that's louder than the community standard decibel level, any non-safety lighting mods (underbodies, white tails, etc) and turbos.

As far as swaps go, if your state follows California Emission laws (CARB rules), engine swaps are legal as long as the engine you are putting in is from the same model year or newer your car was built (ie. my 93 5SFE, built in Nov 1992 cannot have an engine built from Oct 1992 or earlier) and all pollution control devices (EGR, OBD sys (if applicable), etc) are connected without any CELs. It also has to be certified by a Smog Referee shop to ensure that you did all the aforementioned hook ups.

JDM Engines are acceptable as long as the JDM engine is functionally equivalent to a CA-Spec engine, meaning no JDM 3SFE or 4SFE for my car, but a JDM 5SFE is okay even though JDM doesnt use EGRs.

http://www.arb.ca.gov - search here for more info on the topic, or try http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov

xpeed · 02-28-2005, 03:39 AM

I hate cops that decides that your exhaust is illegal straight out without testing the decibal level. Most highway patrol officers carry a device that measures the decibals. City police don't as much.

CrawlingEye · 02-28-2005, 11:08 AM

Here's another tip:
If you put less than 5000 miles on between inspections, your car is emissions exempt (at least here in PA).

I think you'll be fine for a basic "well, the car looks safe" inspection.

97camryman · 02-28-2005, 11:11 AM

Well it looks like exhaust is the least of my worries. A JDM 3SGTE in a 97 Camry is about as illegal as you can get. Its an older engine in a newer car, no EGR system, no emissions, its the wrong engine for the wrong car, its coming from the shop that will be doing the install at a very very good price ($1000 for front clip or so) which means more likely than not its stolen. I am stepping down from OBD2 to the older OBD1, it will not be registered..... Does anyone know if you have to reregister if you swap an auto trany for a stick? Report tranny swap to insurance or not? Either way I'm gonna have to slip the emissions and safety guys some cash under the table but it will be worth it.

CrawlingEye · 02-28-2005, 11:17 AM

I don't think you have to report it, but if you get into an accident and it gets messed up, you're screwing yourself.

jhbhatia · 02-28-2005, 12:11 PM

This is the way i approch it - good for a vehicle you don't drive daily (weekend car, where you can remove teh CEL bulb) and bad if this car is your daily commuter!

Erbe · 02-28-2005, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrawlingEye

Here's another tip:
If you put less than 5000 miles on between inspections, your car is emissions exempt (at least here in PA).

I think you'll be fine for a basic "well, the car looks safe" inspection.

score!!! are you serious, i never knew that