VAC Motorsports Motors?

[trevor818]

So I'm interested in upgrading my stock engine to a M20 Race engine from VAC motorsports. so my question is has anyone purchase a motor from Vac motorsports?

[sharky]

They do great work but it will not be cheap and the HP gain per dollar spent will not really be wise IMO.

[einhander]

Is your M20-powered car a race car? If not, then it doesn't really make much sense unless it is track dedicated and you need to fit into some class parameters.

You can make (much) more power, possibly cheaper, with a low-compression rebuild and a turbo.

[Cabriolet]

Not in CA. unless you live in a no smog city it's really hard to run a turbo setup in CA.

OP talk to MR325, Matt at Bimmerheads. they can build you a good engine, CA legal for almost half the cost. plus, they are local to you.

[einhander]

^ Good point. Didn't realize he is in CA.

[trevor818]

Not in CA. unless you live in a no smog city it's really hard to run a turbo setup in CA.

OP talk to MR325, Matt at Bimmerheads. they can build you a good engine, CA legal for almost half the cost. plus, they are local to you.

Yea he sent me a PM I'm going to go with BimmerHead way cheaper then VAC.. you can't have a turbo in CA?!?!

[Jon325i]

.. you can't have a turbo in CA?!?!

Well.....you can. Just be sure to either....

1. live in one of a handful of CA counties that doesn't require the once every-other-year smog check

- or -

2. become proficient in removal/installation of a 'snail kit' (i.e. remove before smog test, reinstall after smog test)

CA has some of the most bass-ackwards emission laws in the country. You can place a mod on your motor (like a cold air intake) and pass emissions with flying colors but since it doesn't look/appear stock as the factory intended, your car will fail the visual inspection portion of the test. And if that happens, the DMV won't renew your registration.

Yay (meant with extreme sarcasm)


Jon

[trevor818]

Well.....you can. Just be sure to either....

1. live in one of a handful of CA counties that doesn't require the once every-other-year smog check

- or -

2. become proficient in removal/installation of a 'snail kit' (i.e. remove before smog test, reinstall after smog test)

CA has some of the most bass-ackwards emission laws in the country. You can place a mod on your motor (like a cold air intake) and pass emissions with flying colors but since it doesn't look/appear stock as the factory intended, your car will fail the visual inspection portion of the test. And if that happens, the DMV won't renew your registration.

Yay (meant with extreme sarcasm)


Jon

Wow i did not know that I'm originally from Maryland and the e30s get a special pass with everything because the state considered them historic cars. Do you know of anyone who runs a turbo in CA who has passed SMOG without taking it in and out?

[jaywood]

Wow i did not know that I'm originally from Maryland and the e30s get a special pass with everything because the state considered them historic cars. Do you know of anyone who runs a turbo in CA who has passed SMOG without taking it in and out?

Yeah there are a handful of them who do it. You just gotta "know" someone in the business, or register your car in a smog exempt county.

[henryki]

Well.....you can. Just be sure to either....

1. live in one of a handful of CA counties that doesn't require the once every-other-year smog check

- or -

2. become proficient in removal/installation of a 'snail kit' (i.e. remove before smog test, reinstall after smog test)

CA has some of the most bass-ackwards emission laws in the country. You can place a mod on your motor (like a cold air intake) and pass emissions with flying colors but since it doesn't look/appear stock as the factory intended, your car will fail the visual inspection portion of the test. And if that happens, the DMV won't renew your registration.

Yay (meant with extreme sarcasm)


Jon

Or have a guy, or a cousin in my case, who will "smog" your car 8)

unfortunately the first guy who "smogged" my car (wasn't my cousin) got arrested.

[MR 325]

OP talk to MR325, Matt at Bimmerheads. they can build you a good engine, CA legal for almost half the cost. plus, they are local to you.

Thanks buddy!

Wow i did not know that I'm originally from Maryland and the e30s get a special pass with everything because the state considered them historic cars. Do you know of anyone who runs a turbo in CA who has passed SMOG without taking it in and out?

My car is boosted. There is absolutely no way to legally pass smog with a turbo setup that isn't CARB certified. You have to get a "special" smog if you catch what I'm saying. ;) I may or may not know somebody who does this. Been using him for years and years.

[mr2peak]

Having owned 3 motor swapped cars in California..

Best bet in Cali is to swap and get it BAR approved, it's actually much easier than most people make it out to be. Full stock intake to stock headers from the donor car, with CA approved CATs. Has to pass a visual inspection to get the sticker. After that, take it to the smog shop of your choice and they do the tailpipe as if it was the donor car.

Modifying engines gets you in trouble. Swapping to any newer year motor than your car is the way to go if you care about resale and peace of mind.

There's a Fiat X 1/9 that is in great shape sitting on my local CL. Problem is, it's a turbo build. If it was stock swapped it would have sold long ago, and would be way more reliable as well.

[F34R]

OP talk to MR325, Matt at Bimmerheads. they can build you a good engine, CA legal for almost half the cost. plus, they are local to you.

This^ Shant and Matt would get a killer stroker out the door.