Smog / Referee

[e30user]

I've tried running a search, but didn't see any topics mentioned smog or getting the car refereed. I figure most of these swaps can be legalized in their basic form (prior to any additional engine upgrades etc.). Has anyone finished the swap and got the car legalized? Are there any things to make sure of when doing the M/S50 swap into an e30 specifically that referees would be checking on? This is assuming the cats and other things are present, and the emissions readings shouldn't be too far from a factory e36.

Most swaps I've seen don't use the full factory airbox, but just stick a cone on there instead. Would this fail?
I've heard of the necessity of a check engine light. What if the chassis original cluster doesn't have one (M3s)? Would a fabricated one do?

It would be nice to have a legally smoggable swapped e30 in CA, and after reading some requirements to getting refereed, it doesn't seem too hard of a job. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

[mspiegle]

I've heard of someone doing this for sure... I don't remember any details tho.

From what I understand, you may swap in any NEWER engine to an older chassis and be legal so long as ALL of the smog equipment is intact and the car passes sniffer acoording to the year of the newer engine.

[Jarvis]

AFAIK, as long as your car passes the set emissions regulations for the year of the car, regardless of what engine is in it, you're all set. MA and CA have basically the same nazi-level inspection requirements, but I hear more complaints of CA residents failing based just on visuable inspection. Apparently things like exhaust headers will fail you in an honest shop regardless of the emissions #s.

For the M/S50s... generally they run so clean that you can pass fairly restrictive emissions regs. without a catalytic converter even. That's if it's running correctly and no one looks under the car for a visual inspection though.

[erik325i]

I don't know all of the details of getting your car Referee'd, but I will have to go through it after I put in my s50.

From what I hear, your car has to have all of the emmision control stuff and meet all requirements from the year of the motor you are putting in.

*EDIT* where in Cali are you? you should join baye30.net

[e30user]

Yea, I know some shops might be easier on the visual because the car would burn cleanly anyway, but I'd rather not rely on luck or knowing people since fully legalizing seems pretty feasible.

*EDIT* where in Cali are you? you should join baye30.net

San Diego, but I am still a member of baye30 too, since that's my hometown area.

[erik325i]

San Diego, but I am still a member of baye30 too, since that's my hometown area.

Ohh yeah, you started the post about the track day at Buttonwillow. So, are you going to be there? I am thinking about going to that.