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| California Dreamin (3800SC Manual Swap) (Page 3/6) |
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Rickady88GT
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OCT 30, 05:18 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by IMSA GT:
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. |
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Yes he does. BTW I have driven his Silver Chop Top. And he has driven my 3.5 Short Star, before I took it out and did the LS4 swap. We were trying out each others power steering. He has a Mercure system and I have an "F" Body system.
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Notorio
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OCT 30, 10:32 PM
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OK, so it took a few searches to figure out that 'Curley' is MadCurl. I just sent him a PM asking for him to join the thread and explain things. Here are a couple of quotes from DMV on the Specially Constructed Vehicle Certs, of which there are 500 per year:
A "home-made, specially constructed, or kit vehicle" is a vehicle that is built for private use, not for resale, and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer. These vehicles may be built from a kit, new or used parts, a combination of new and used parts, or a vehicle reported for dismantling (junked) that, when reconstructed, does not resemble the original make of the vehicle that was dismantled.
Example: A Volkswagen "Beetle" with modified fenders, engine compartment lid, and front end, but still recognizable as a Volkswagen is not considered a specially constructed vehicle."
I actually looked at this a few years ago and it seems plain enough that my engine swap would still ''look like a Fiero.'' Hopefully MadCurl can straighten this out.
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Notorio
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OCT 30, 10:35 PM
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And forgot to mention 'work' prevented me from calling up WCF today but tomorrow's schedule looks much better. BTW, much thanks to all for your interest!
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IMSA GT
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OCT 30, 10:54 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Notorio:
Example: A Volkswagen "Beetle" with modified fenders, engine compartment lid, and front end, but still recognizable as a Volkswagen is not considered a specially constructed vehicle."[/i]
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Right, those are body mods. Stick a different motor in the car and it's a different story.
By the way, you probably won't hear from Curley in this thread. He is long gone from this forum but he may reply to your PM.[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 10-30-2018).]
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Rickady88GT
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OCT 31, 09:47 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by IMSA GT:
Right, those are body mods. Stick a different motor in the car and it's a different story.
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Yes and no. There is a big grey area on judging how similar a car remains after modifications. It boils down the the person who judges your car and issues a certification. That judgment will very from person to person.
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Notorio
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OCT 31, 10:47 PM
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First things first, I must extend my hearty thanks to Chris West at West Coast Fieros for taking the time today to walk me through my many options, none of which included a 3800SC hooked to my 5spd. Well, that's not quite true, as has been already suggested, but Chris was able to explain the right way to do it that works with DMV. Arrange to set up a post office box as a 'suite' in a County that does't require smog testing (e.g. Imperial County.) This then establishes that building's physical address as a legitimate location to use for registering any vehicle of mine. The business will charge something for this service which would also include forwarding one's mail (from the DMV) to your house so it would be an on-going cost to consider. With the Suite address in hand, one would simply complete a Change of Address form on DMV's web page. Not a bad option really!
He said trying to get one of the 500 Special Vehicle permits became much more difficult about 8 years ago so that it is essentially impossible to do today. Instead of either approach Chris suggested that I really consider one of the other many engines that are allowed to be coupled to a Manual transmission in California, for example, the LS4. Of course the price of passing the Referee and getting a 'sticker' is transferring over the entire pollution control set up, etc. Also, the LS4 swap threads I have looked at seem much more involved with fabrication, which I have no facilities for. Bolt in is about the best I can manage here.
Chris, if you happen to read this you already have my thanks from earlier today but now let me offer my apologies for screwing up the many details you shared with me 
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Rickady88GT
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OCT 31, 11:16 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Notorio:
First things first, I must extend my hearty thanks to Chris West at West Coast Fieros for taking the time today to walk me through my many options, none of which included a 3800SC hooked to my 5spd. Well, that's not quite true, as has been already suggested, but Chris was able to explain the right way to do it that works with DMV. Arrange to set up a post office box as a 'suite' in a County that does't require smog testing (e.g. Imperial County.) This then establishes that building's physical address as a legitimate location to use for registering any vehicle of mine. The business will charge something for this service which would also include forwarding one's mail (from the DMV) to your house so it would be an on-going cost to consider. With the Suite address in hand, one would simply complete a Change of Address form on DMV's web page. Not a bad option really!
He said trying to get one of the 500 Special Vehicle permits became much more difficult about 8 years ago so that it is essentially impossible to do today. Instead of either approach Chris suggested that I really consider one of the other many engines that are allowed to be coupled to a Manual transmission in California, for example, the LS4. Of course the price of passing the Referee and getting a 'sticker' is transferring over the entire pollution control set up, etc. Also, the LS4 swap threads I have looked at seem much more involved with fabrication, which I have no facilities for. Bolt in is about the best I can manage here.
Chris, if you happen to read this you already have my thanks from earlier today but now let me offer my apologies for screwing up the many details you shared with me |
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I think you misunderstood him, the LS4 never had a manual transmission from the factory and for that reason will never be a legal engine swap in California. Maybe he said LS1? but for sure the LS4 is automatic only.
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Notorio
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NOV 01, 10:59 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Rickady88GT:
I think you misunderstood him, the LS4 never had a manual transmission from the factory and for that reason will never be a legal engine swap in California. Maybe he said LS1? but for sure the LS4 is automatic only. |
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How right you are: I can only find auto cars with the LS4. This must have been when he suggested giving up on the manual and converting to an auto during the swap or keeping the 5 spd and using the Postal Suite plan. I'm tookishly determined to keep the manual (no matter how much I complain about California freeway traffic jams ...)
Does anyone have a good resource list of Engines and Trans combinations that were sold? I seem to only be able to find engine listings, like this Wikipedia link ...
LS based GM small-block engine[This message has been edited by Notorio (edited 11-01-2018).]
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Rickady88GT
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NOV 02, 06:15 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by Notorio:
How right you are: I can only find auto cars with the LS4. This must have been when he suggested giving up on the manual and converting to an auto during the swap or keeping the 5 spd and using the Postal Suite plan. I'm tookishly determined to keep the manual (no matter how much I complain about California freeway traffic jams ...)
Does anyone have a good resource list of Engines and Trans combinations that were sold? I seem to only be able to find engine listings, like this Wikipedia link ...
LS based GM small-block engine
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The LS4 is the only LS that never had a manual.
I also really wanted a manual, but this LS4 has so much power that the auto is acceptable. I would still rather have a manual, but I can live with the way it is right now.
I have a 6 speed F40 for the LS4, but will probably never install it. The conversation is a hassle and the gear ratios suckered (from what others have said). Chris West uses the NSX 6 speed manual transmission. I am sure it is a good unit, but I just don't want to go through all that right now.
If you want a manual, you could use any LS other than the LS4.
On a side note, GM had a manual version of the LS4 at an auto show in LA 10 or so years ago. They just never put that car engine transmission combo into production.[This message has been edited by Rickady88GT (edited 11-02-2018).]
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OntarioKev
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NOV 02, 05:20 PM
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I don't know much about California so let me start off by saying that.
Other than the LS4 all other LS engines were longitudinal engines, so all of the manuals that were for them are as well.
To meet CA law, does the manual transmission have to be the same one offered stock in another vehicle, or can you put any manual on, as long as there was a manual option somewhere?
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