JeRM82

I was looking through some legal stuff on the net about the LQ9 swap from an SS....and I know that the SS should be smog legal in california as a replacement engine because of the SS and the VHO being in the same class of vehicle....BUT...acording to what I read...the transmission NEEDS to be the same one as the replacement motor OR the same as the original one......here is what it says:

Transmissions and transaxle changes are not legal. Transmissions and transaxles can only be changed along with thier matching engine. The total engine transmission package must conform to the engine change requirements above.
C.A.R.B page for transmissions
SO...whats the deal with this...do you thikn that the guy doing the visual on my truck at the state run place to get my door sticker for the engine replacement will be a dick about having the 4L80 behind the motor? I mean it really doesnt seem like this part of the guidlines is something that is NESESARY other than to put a hamper on swaping motors....I.E making it harder......I WOULD just go with the 4L60 but how much do you think a built one could take from JET...or B&M....I mean I know it says something like 400FTLB's of TQ....but that just seems REALLY low for a "built" trans....I just want to do it all in one shot and not have any trans problems due to me not forking over the money and doing the time to do a "reliable" swap (LQ9 and a 4L80 into a RCSB 2003). Does anyone live in california that has done this swap? I havent seen anyone...but it seems like it wouldnt be that hard to do legaly if I just used the 4L60......

TieRod

Do one of two things
1 Get the hell out of California
2 Don't tell nobody in in there

Scream

iTrader: (6)

Get a built 4L65E from FLP!

Whistlin00

iTrader: (1)

desTRUCKtive

This is the way I look at it, like everyone said nobody needs to know . I am sure they dont tell fellow Californians everything too!

BlownChevy

iTrader: (20)

Guys, I had a RCSB with a LQ4, 4L80-E, headers, and a blower.......dont worry it will pass tail pipe, and the teck will never know what trans/motor combo you have.

Mr. Sandog

There's a distinct difference between legal and passable. Many things will pass that are in no way legal. If an mod/add-on doesn't have a CARB number, it's not legal. If you swap something into your vehicle (i.e. motor, tranny) that was not offered in your type and model year of vehicle, it's not legal.

It is up to you what you do, just be aware of what you're doing.

BlownChevy

iTrader: (20)

Good point. Be prepared.

Chingon

iTrader: (1)

Or 3, make friends with a smog guy

JeRM82

HEY BLOWN CHEVY...did you have your RCSB in cali or was that in a different state? I kinda just thinking about getting picky and find one with a 5.3 in it and just replace the tranny with one from JET or TCI.....and doing a cam/rocker package...maybe pull the heads off and clean them up a little bit....throw some headers and some gears out back and call it a day....I am just worried about getting some kinda fine or getting in trouble rather than the guy telling me he will pass it for some cash.....know what I mean? I was HOPING that I could just do the LQ9 swap....but it looks like it wont be happening....its kind of a "what if" when it comes to smoging the truck again and I am on the boat AGAIN (I am on the lincoln doing the disaster relief right now), when I have to smog it....I dont wanna have to have my g/f go to smog it with a low cut shirt on to butter the guy up...HA HA...I just want it legal is all....anyone smog a 5.3 with a mild cam and some head work?