Will a e30 s52 swap pass visual and smog in Cali?

[Lenwood]

I'm pondering getting an older e30 s52 swap from out of state. What do I need to know to get it to pass Cali emissions? Any advice appreciated

[markseven]

Refereed at a BAR location. DOT approved CAI, no headers, charcoal canister must be present, etc.

[MonkeyMan]

as far as swaps go, there's a good chance you'll have to take your car to a referee to get it certified..
basically what they're checking for is that all the factory emissions equipment for the swapped engine is properly installed and functioning..
my buddy had to go through the process a few years ago with his vr6-swapped mk2 gti.. he is 2man on this forum - look him up and I'm sure he'll be glad to tell you his experience..

[36brua]

this and forget the basically part

basically what they're checking for is that all the factory emissions equipment for the swapped engine is properly installed and functioning..

S52 is OBD2 has 4 o2 sensors, oil separator an I don't know what else etc. I appreciate that there are some advantages to OBD2 but the xtra hardware required is one reason many CALIF swaps have been converted to OBD1. M50 are 2.5L S52 = 3.2L. So if you're trying to pass as early pre '96 model and referee looks at the eng # stamped on the block you may have an issue. I would be cautious about buying a swapped car from out of state and trying to have it registered/smogged in a CARB district ie SF bay area. Some outlaying areas have 'relaxed' standards, or if your good buddy runs a smog test station. I believe R3V user 'cjdonthink' he is in San Jose area, did an OBD2 swap. I don't know if it is BAR/CARB certified. He has a good build thread in this section. I have a CARB stickered '89 E30/94 M50 vanos my

[redcabrio]

they will check the engine stamp code and make sure it a obd1 or obd2 motor and what emissions should be on it i have a bar legal swapped m50 with s52 cams and got the sticker now im pulling that motor out for the s52 so now im good for smogs. do the m50 swap first to get the sticker then do the s52 converted back to obd1 and you wont have to worrie about the ref

[decay]

CJ is not bar'd yet.

[ak-]

It can pass sniffer, but not visual.

[GunMetalGrey]

How do they check the stamp on the back?! Are you talking about the VIN tag against the firewall, or the casting in the block?
Makes me glad to be in WI ;)

[eandrade]

My experience is documented here:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=251231

PM me if you have any questions.

[36brua]

[quote=eandrade;3640258]My experience is documented here:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=251231

this ^ is a good write up. refs asked me for more info/proof on source of engine . car was inspected in sept '12 at skyline college

[36brua]

How do they check the stamp on the back?! Are you talking about the VIN tag against the firewall, or the casting in the block?
Makes me glad to be in WI ;)

data stamped on side of block at pan rail.

they also wanted to know if the trans mnt I purchased from you was CARB/ BAR approved ! just kidding :razz: mount works great.

[MoparJ]

It can pass sniffer, but not visual.

That's what pisses me off about this state......if a car has an engine from a newer model and it blows clean, then that should be all you have to worry about. I don't know why they even care what's under the hood as long as the tailpipe numbers are low enough. :???:

[GunMetalGrey]

data stamped on side of block at pan rail.

they also wanted to know if the trans mnt I purchased from you was CARB/ BAR approved ! just kidding :razz: mount works great.

Obviously I had them BAR approved! Jeez, you guys think I am slacking huh?
Good to hear though!

[mrcheezle19]

That's what pisses me off about this state......if a car has an engine from a newer model and it blows clean, then that should be all you have to worry about. I don't know why they even care what's under the hood as long as the tailpipe numbers are low enough. :???:

this. I've never ever understood this. who cares what's under the hood, as long as I pass the sniffer test.

[Vivek]

this. I've never ever understood this. who cares what's under the hood, as long as I pass the sniffer test.

Seriously, fuck cali smog. Does anyone know if you can simply slip a tech a couple 20's to pass it visually, as long as it passes the sniffer? I know that the exhaust data is recorded and can't easily be faked (of course, people do it), but is the visual just a smog technician checking off that everything looks like it did from the factory?