Shane. Welcome.
There are a few ways you can upgrade your engine and still be smog compliant. Here in Cali, as I am sure you know, there is the function/emissions test and the vision inspection during a smog check. Some performance parts are built to still comply with the requirments. Most smog legal performance parts come with what's called a "Carb" sticker. This sticker is placed on the inside of the engine compartment where it's easily visible.
Here are a few smog legal parts that should come with a carb sticker.
-air injection headers, various manufactures, including hooker.
-camshafts, mainly Comp cams but other manufacturers as well.
-performance catalytic converts, MagnaFlow and others.
-carburetors, holley and edelbrock mainly.
-intake manifolds with egr valve ports, edelbrock mainly.
It depends on how far you wanna go and spend. You can also get smog legal cylinder heads too. But if you want to retain a mostly stock or original with a few upgrades then a intake, carb, headers, cat converter and a proper tuning with new cap, rotor, wires and plug will really go along way. If you want to have the original engine mostly intact you can also have a machine shop deck the cylinder heads and port polish the heads to clean up rough areas and such. If your gonna do a complete rebuild then that's the best time and just do it all at once. Again how much do you wanna spend.
Try calling Summit Racing, get on summits website, ask to speak to a sales associate and ask about what smog legal parts they have available. There are alot.
My buddy did a Comp cams k kit and top end, intake, carb, headers. He passes smog and has roughly 340 hp and 380 ft lbs torgue. Somewhere in that area anyway. His truck runs excellent.
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