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    M30 how would they know?

    How would a smog shop in California know that an E30 M30 has a swapped engine?

    Especially, if it passes smog, has the right CATs, functional check engine light etc?

    I asked because this S50 E30 owner says he's been smoging his car for years without issues.

    The car is not Bar'd.

    Javier
    Last edited by Javier h; 05-12-2018, 06:25 AM.

    #2
    I've honestly thought about that.


    If the smog tech isn't familiar with e30s, they're not gonna say shit about a period correct engine that says BMW on the intake manifold
    Originally posted by wholepailofwater
    Q
    :devil:


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      #3
      I think its just illegal but if the smog numbers are better than an M20 standards, the shop wouldn't know. Tampering with cats etc. is probably against the law subject to fines etc.

      I was just surprise the S50 owner was stating that because I never gave it much thought.

      Would be interested to hear from CA swap owners.

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        #4
        I've thought about it a lot. I remember reading somewhere that the emission specs for an m30 are within m20 limits, youd just have to have a reasonably well built/running, very stock engine.
        Last edited by wworm; 05-11-2018, 03:06 PM.
        1984 Delphin 318i 2 door

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          #5
          I hear its a PITA in CA to get a car BAR legal.

          Honestly, if I were to do a swap, I'd probably just smog it and never notify the BAR.
          Originally posted by wholepailofwater
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          :devil:


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            #6
            just have to make sure the smog guy you go to doesnt know a damn thing and that the engine you're swapping in is 1-a bmw straight 6 and 2-is very clean. Even then you can still be fucked if someone knows anything about bmws.
            1984 Delphin 318i 2 door

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              #7
              They compare the smog decal under the hood with the motor in the car
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                #8
                I mean, it doesn't have a pic of an m20 on it
                Originally posted by wholepailofwater
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                  #9
                  It does though
                  cars beep boop

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                    #10
                    Also it says 3.5 in very large metal letters on the side
                    cars beep boop

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                      #11
                      Smog guys are actually not idiots.

                      Also, there is nothing draconian about BAR if you care about having your motor run right in the first place. All they want is for the OEM smog equipment to be there and match the motor, which is what they require for non-swapped smog anyway.
                      cars beep boop

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                        #12
                        I pass my m20b25 in my e no problems. the guy even asked me if it's a 2.7 or 2.5, I told him I didn't know lol.maybe I'll grind off the 2.5 stamped on the head to avoid any problems.

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                          #13
                          So the s50 e30 guy is lying?

                          Yeah the cover on the motor cover says "BMW M Power" not 3.5 hehe.

                          I wouldn't doubt it (he's selling to the car). The guy claims that its passed several times from several different smog stations and laughed on the bar issue.

                          The smog stations that I visit when doing my cars are a pain. They will fail you on any visual issue (CEL light bulb) but I suspect unlike us, they wouldn't be able to distinguish what came original on the car.

                          I wasn't interested in the car after he said it wasn't bar'd but that just got me thinking.

                          My gut tells me he's bs-ing although I am pretty sure he has smog receipts.

                          Thanks for the replies guys. Always thought like most of us in doing a swap down the road as funds become available.
                          Last edited by Javier h; 05-12-2018, 06:46 AM.

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                            #14


                            I mean, it looks more than an m30 than it doesn’t.

                            some smog guys are retards lol. I think you’re going out on a limb saying they’re collectively not.


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                            Originally posted by wholepailofwater
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                              #15
                              Originally posted by kronus View Post
                              It does though
                              I was being sarcastic bb
                              Originally posted by wholepailofwater
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