This is about SMOG Crap. And maybe an LS1 mustang is legal!

"Frank Grimes" (FrankGrimes) 10/09/2013 at 18:22 • Filed to: None

0

15

It has taken me a lot of google fu and research professionalism to actually find the laws regarding emissions testing for the state of Utah. But I was successful! I hope others find this interesting or at least entertaining.

I have wanted to research the legality of swapping a LS1 into my 1989 Mustang 2.3L NA Auto. Hopefully it will be apparent I have picked the right year of mustang on sheer luck.

I have found out that there is some actual logic to Utah emissions laws. It might actually be legal to do the swap as long as the exhaust emissions are equal or less than the applicable emissions standards which I guess would be the standards of the car as stock even if it fails a visual inspection.

19 9.19

A Certificate of Compliance shall be issued for a :

9.19.3

For 1989 and older model year vehicle, the vehicle passes or fails the visual

inspection in Section 9.10 and the tailpipe emissions levels are the same as or

less than the applicable emissions standards

and here is section 9.10 which describes the applicable visual inspection procedure

9.10.4

On 1989 and older vehicles, visually inspect for

the presence and apparent operability of the AIR system and catalytic converter in accordance with Department procedures, and record the information in the emissions analyzer.

Here is the definition of AIR System described above.

1.4

AIR System: (Air Injection Reaction) A system for providing supplementary air into a vehicle'sexhaust system to promote further oxidation of HC and CO gases and to assist catalytic reaction;

So according to my diligent research if I put a LS1 motor with the stock LS1 Cats and air system (whatever that is) it should pass the visual inspection despite being a totally different brand engine. But even if it fails the visual inspection it should still pass along as the emissions (tail pipe test) meets or exceeds the standards for exhaust of the 1989 2.3L car. This should not be hard because the 2.3 is a piece of crap. My car with 2.3L auto rated a 90hp is rated by EPA at only 25mpg highway which tells me it was a not very efficient beast.

23 10.3

Engine Changes.

10.3.1

All vehicles which qualify for testing under this section shall be tested by the

Department only.

10.3.2

Vehicles qualifying for testing under this section shall not be eligible for a repair

waiver.

10.3.3

EPA engine switching guidance will be enforced. There will be no downgrades

allowed (ie.,removing feedback fuel injection and installing a carburetor)

Engine upgrades will be considered on a case-by-case basis if EPA policy is

followed and the engine meets or exceeds the requirement for the year and class

of vehicle in which it is installed and there is reasonable basis for knowing that

emissions are not adversely affected.

Oh cock! Off to the EPA website wish me luck!

lone_liberal > Frank Grimes 10/09/2013 at 18:33

0

Well! That was clear. I've never done a swap on a pollution controlled car, but I always thought it was ok if the engine was newer and had all of it's emissions gear. I guess that's kinda what that says but I'm not a lawyer and I'm not sure why it would have to be a 1989 or older car except that it's (almost) 25 years old. BTW I don't think the AIR is the same as EGR. It used a belt driven pump.

TSLA > Frank Grimes 10/09/2013 at 18:37

0

On the plus side, in 4 more months you can register it as historic and do whatever you want to it

Frank Grimes > lone_liberal 10/09/2013 at 18:40

0

Yeah that's about what I got from it. Yeah i went back and tried to find what it meant by AIR system and I found the definition and edited the post to define what the AIR system is and you are right it is not the EGR system. Hopefully it will be this simple if I find the money to do the swap and present it to the Emission Inspection people.

I think where the confusion and complication will come up is what the EPA defines as "a certified configuration of the same model year or newer as the chassis."

Frank Grimes > TSLA 10/09/2013 at 18:44

0

What? Where did you find this?

ttyymmnn > Frank Grimes 10/09/2013 at 18:44

0

Photobomb!

Takuro Spirit > Frank Grimes 10/09/2013 at 18:46

0

NOT one of those "crying kids" at the car show.

Frank Grimes > Takuro Spirit 10/09/2013 at 18:57

2

NO! I HATE THOSE! I think it's just a normal live human baby child flipping the bird.

lone_liberal > Frank Grimes 10/09/2013 at 18:58

0

To me " a certified configuration of the same model year or newer as the chassis." Means that the engine and it's emissions controls have been certified and are the same year or newer than the car. Meaning you can't bring in some uncertified Euro motor even if it's newer. You shouldn't have an issue with a domestic engine like an LS1.

Frank Grimes > lone_liberal 10/09/2013 at 19:01

0

Yeah thats my understanding as well but I also think it implies that you cant put a Duramax in a metro body it has to be same class vehicle as in no heavy class engines in light class vehicles.

lone_liberal > Frank Grimes 10/09/2013 at 19:05

0

This is why I have a 71 Camaro*. I can put anything I want in that thing. Duramax? Sure! Cummins? Why not! Briggs and Stratton? Bring it on.

*Well, that and I got it cheap.

Frank Grimes > lone_liberal 10/09/2013 at 19:13

0

totally do a briggs with a turbo! When reading through some of the laws I noticed an exemption from inspections for vehicles with motorcycle engines. I bet theres more to it but I mmediatley thought how awesome it would be to put a hayabusa engine in something and not even have to smog test it. Of course for it to make sense it would have to be pretty much a go kart.

TSLA > Frank Grimes 10/09/2013 at 19:44

0

25 years and older for all states(or majority of). Then you don't have to do any eChecks and can swap in any engine you want.

Edit: Just checked Utah's dmv site... 1973 and older? whaaaaaaaaaaa- thats crazy

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Takuro Spirit 10/09/2013 at 20:19

0

Funny story about those:

When I was little and my dog Molly was still a puppy, my parents were minivan shopping. The dealer had some of those creepy things leaning on various vehicles in the show room. Molly wanted to say, "hi," to one, but it did not respond. Molly got angry at it and attacked it. So, picture a 10 lb black ball of cuteness trying her damnedest to shake a crying kid doll inside out. We did not return to that dealer.

Frank Grimes > TSLA 10/09/2013 at 21:22

0

I thought 67 and older are exempt.

TSLA > Frank Grimes 10/09/2013 at 21:46

0

This is what I saw: http://dmv.utah.gov/vehicles-servi…
but thats the only state that I personally know of that is not 25 and older