California Dreamin (3800SC Manual Swap) (Page 2/6)
kevin OCT 29, 01:02 AM
Notorio,
Another idea. Can you register your Fiero in Arizona or Nevada? You will need a buddy who lives in one of these states to collaborate your residency in those states. This can be your answer. Or, do you have a buddy in a county close to where you live, that does not require a SMOG certificate every two years? I hate the SMOG nazi Environmental movement😡. It is so stupid! It was first impacted in the mid 70’s when California did not have computers like today. At that time smog smelling machines were cleaned by mechanical means. The beacracy is so rapped into the left leaning politics of California.
Cordially,
kevin
Red98422 OCT 29, 02:47 AM
Kevin: all counties within the state of CA require smog every two years. As for the buddy out of state deal...well there happens to be a law for that too, something along the lines of “if visiting from out of state for a period exceeding 3 months vehicals are required to be registered with the state of CA (excluding military)” that could spell big trouble if he gets caught. Not trying to be a naysayer but the options are really limited to engine swaps in the state.

If we are speaking theoretically and he goes with “buddy out of state” deal he would have to also obtain a drivers license from that state as well as register every year.
BadNewsBrendan OCT 29, 02:26 PM
Remind me to never move to California
cyrus88 OCT 29, 02:49 PM

quote
Originally posted by Red98422:

Kevin: all counties within the state of CA require smog every two years.



Not true. Look here: https://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/pdf/Program_Map.pdf
kevin OCT 29, 03:51 PM
Notorio,
See the map? For example, the entire county of Impetial does not have any jurisdictional feedback from the Smog Nazi’s. The way I understand the SMOG book, ifyou have a buddy living in that county, simply use that address as your home. The state will undoubtedly ask for your cell phone address, and all your utility bills. All of these should have your name on your ‘new’ address bills. Simply work out an arraignment with this guy to pay all of those individual bills from that address. The state connot know that you do not live at this address. Give me your thoughts on this idea.
Cordially,
kevin
Ps. Will you be running a Getrag or F40 5-speed?

[This message has been edited by kevin (edited 10-29-2018).]

Notorio OCT 29, 04:52 PM
Kevin,

Thanks for pointing out the variability across the state ... I always thought it was the same everywhere! Even San Diego county has some rural 'Change of Ownership Areas' that are relatively close to me. The text of the Rules is not entirely clear to me even for these least-controlled areas:

'These more rural areas of the state require Smog Check certification only when an affected vehicle changes ownership (with the exception of gasoline vehicles four or less model-years old), or is initially registered in California. Vehicles within specified model-years registered in the Change of Ownership Areas are subject to Smog Check only upon change of ownership or initial registration in California. Vehicles registered in this area must receive a TSI (Two Speed Idle) Smog Check.'

The first 2 sentences seem to indicate that I could take my currently registered Fiero to the Jamul 91935 area for example, and since I already own the car no Smog check would be required to register there. However, the 3rd sentence seems to be saying that ANY vehicle in that region would at least require a Two Speed Idle Smog Check. If this was a one-time event I could get the test then happily modify to my heart's content?

I think I will do as suggested and check with West Coast Fieros. They must have answered this question a hundred times ...

p.s. I was thinking to stay with the Getrag and abstain from pursuing power-increasing upgrades that are available for the 3800 SC platform ...

[This message has been edited by Notorio (edited 10-29-2018).]

kevin OCT 29, 10:11 PM
Notorio,
I visited Chris West at his shop. What an amaizing shop. And, what an amaizing guy! He knows his stuff😃. Remarkably, I got a ride in his car. Absolutely amaizing!!!!! His car is driven in California. How he got a turbo Aurrora engine to be driven in Calif. simply means that you need to contact his shop. He will have more decisive answers.
Cordially,
kevin
Rickady88GT OCT 30, 12:47 PM

quote
Originally posted by pmbrunelle:


Camaro wasn't EPA-tested with the Fiero 5-speed. Technically, from what I know of California, you would need to install the Camaro 5-speed + 3800NA combo. The engine and transmission are considered an indivisible block.


Not exactly: California emissions has nothing to do with the transmission it self. (at least not sense the last time I talked to a Referee) it is the emissions related electronics and sensors within the transmission that provide necessary parameters for the ECM to run smog equipment along with the engine and fuel vapor system. So if a manual transmission was paired with the engine and it has no emissions related electronics or equipment in it, you could use any transmission with that engine. BUT, in the case of automatic transmissions, the engine control equipment requires input from the transmission to run the engine properly. So technically the automatic transmission has smog related electronics and equipment that are just as vital as a catalytic converter, for an emissions compliant engine transplant.
So simply put, most manual transmissions have no emissions related inputs for the ECM. But all automatic transmissions have ECM related equipment. In California, you can't transplant an older engine than the car, so all automatic transmissions from 84 and up have required emissions equipment within them, so you can't just swap in and older transmission and do electronic voodoo to the ECM.
BTW, any computer reflashing or "chip" is also not legal,...unless it is previously approved by CARB.

quote

3.9/F40 is agood idea, otherwise, if OP wants a 3800SC, then the 3800SC + its automashit would be compliant for smog testing, then swap transmissions for driving around.



This may also not be entirely true. The bottom line is that the Smog Referee has the final say on the matter and they very from person to person (the last time I know of, California only had 12 smog Referee for the entire State), they use discriminatory decision-making processes. So one Referee may let a small detail pass, but another may not.
In my case, I swapped an LS4 into my 88GT and I was required to also install the Body Control Module, Transmission Control Module and have a GM dealer reflash ALL of them with the same VIN number.
To swap back and forth every 2 years from a smog legal automatic to a manual would be a HUGE PAIN in the...

[This message has been edited by Rickady88GT (edited 10-30-2018).]

Rickady88GT OCT 30, 01:53 PM

quote
Originally posted by kevin:

Notorio,
I visited Chris West at his shop. What an amaizing shop. And, what an amaizing guy! He knows his stuff😃. Remarkably, I got a ride in his car. Absolutely amaizing!!!!! His car is driven in California. How he got a turbo Aurrora engine to be driven in Calif. simply means that you need to contact his shop. He will have more decisive answers.
Cordially,
kevin



California has a program called sb500 (or something like that) to allow a few cars every to be labeled as a specialty Construction and basically no emissions. But it is limited to a small number of cars, a lottery system and may have some requirements? West may have one of those sb500 certificates to register his turbo, otherwise it would be impossible.
IMSA GT OCT 30, 04:41 PM

quote
Originally posted by Rickady88GT:


California has a program called sb500 (or something like that) to allow a few cars every to be labeled as a specialty Construction and basically no emissions. But it is limited to a small number of cars, a lottery system and may have some requirements? West may have one of those sb500 certificates to register his turbo, otherwise it would be impossible.



You are correct. Curley has this certificate for his silver choptop and just like the name, they only issue 500 per year. This is really the only way to completely customize the drive train and get away with it.