Author Topic: Swapping in California  (Read 3130 times)

Offline teamcurtis

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Swapping in California
« on: July 20, 2016, 11:13:08 AM »
Looking to do a 5.3 or 6.0 LSx swap in my 78

I'm in San Diego, so I'll have to deal with the strictest smog requirements. Reading different forums and online information is giving me different info.

-Heavy Duty to Light duty is a no-no.  Is a chevy 1500 HD really an HD truck? Is a cadillac escalade. If both of those are out, I'm not sure there is a 6.0 that could be legal

-Evap systems. From what ive read this is now considered a part of the emissions system. I assume that means i would need the newer fuel tank etc. Other options?

Other issues i need to consider when selecting an engine?


https://www.bar.ca.gov/Industry/Engine_Change_Guidelines.html
1978 C10 Short Bed
350 smogged for CA

Offline roundhouse

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Swapping in California
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2016, 09:43:08 AM »
You're gonna need a bigger site that has members that have actually done a transplant and had it pass the referee station

Search
Pirate4x4.com
And
CK5.com

sign up and spend a few hours searching and reading
Don't ask any questions until you've read every thread you can find in smogging transplants in Cali

A majority of the pirate members are in Cali

These two sites have tons of info
But will not be polite to you if you ask a question that's already been answered twenty times in other threads

It's kinda like the old courtroom drama movies
"Asked and answered !"


I'd also suggest getting the entire donor vehicle if possible
You may need all the fuel lines and vapor canisters and possibly the cats from the exhaust


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« Last Edit: July 21, 2016, 09:45:38 AM by roundhouse »

Offline teamcurtis

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Re: Swapping in California
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2016, 01:01:24 PM »
thanks for your advice and tips...
ive read a few threads there, and it sounded like exactly what youre saying.
the tank and fuel lines are the hang up, so getting the whole truck was the way to go.

1978 C10 Short Bed
350 smogged for CA

Offline roundhouse

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Swapping in California
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2016, 11:11:11 PM »
You'll save money
There's lots of stuff you will need
Starter wires
Throttle cables
Fuel lines and fittings
The bolts  that hold the engine to the Trans
Air intake hose



The monkeys at a salvage yard will damage half the stuff you need when they rip the engine out of the wrecked donor truck

I live in Georgia and anything 3/4 ton or diesel or older than 25 years or outside the Atlanta metro area doesn't get emission tested
And anything older than 25 years doesn't need a title at all
 A bill of sale written on a paper plate and proof of insurance gets you a license plate

I'm in Atlanta  but our truck is titled  as a 1980 so no inspection at all but if I had it to do over I'd buy the whole donor vehicle

Plus you get to hear it run if it's still in the donor
Do NOT buy it if you can't hear it run

After you're done with your swap you can sell parts from the donor and get some money back
But make sure you get a title to the donor
Most scrap yards and crushers won't take it if you don't have a title to it
Been there done that
   Then you gotta cut it up in small chunks and mix it in with other scrap metal

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« Last Edit: July 23, 2016, 11:15:18 PM by roundhouse »