Guest Anonymous Posted May 30, 2002 Share Posted May 30, 2002 Hi, I live in California, and I was wondering what the possibility is of doing the v8 swap in zx and still pass emissions? and what would the extra cost of smog equipment be? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted May 30, 2002 Share Posted May 30, 2002 If you follow the guidlines in the JTR manual (I know, yours is a ZX, but it's still really good info.) and you get a COMPLETE running engine from a donor car newer than yours and you swap it in with ALL of it's emissions equipment you should have no trouble at a referee station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kc6wfs Posted May 30, 2002 Share Posted May 30, 2002 I second Mikes thoughts... Get the JTR book and read it.. The pain will be going to the referie station but it should not be too painfull. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted May 30, 2002 Share Posted May 30, 2002 It is possible to swap and pass emmissions, but there are some technicalities about emmissions laws and chevy motors that will determine what kind of swap you do. 1979 was the last year that Chevy offered a purely carbureted motor, so if you have a '79 then you can pass the inspection with a carb. If you have an '80 - '83, then you are better off going with a later model motor with fuel injection like TBI or TPI. The reason is in '80 to about '84, Chevy used an electronic feedback carbuertor that would be extremely frustrating to fix, tune and certainly won't find any performance parts for!. Check out: http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/StdPage.asp?Body=/Geninfo/Publications/Engine_Change_Guidelines-Jan_1994.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 30, 2002 Share Posted May 30, 2002 I agree, the 79-84 period was full of weird fuel systems: feedback carb, crossram dual throttle body injection in the vette (which looks great, just doesn't flow very well at all). I'd swap something at least after 85 when the TPI came out if you can afford the donor car. IMHO a TPI motor would have the torque to push the heavier ZX around with pretty good authority and yet remain pretty docile around town when you don't have your foot in it . As mentioned a donor car is the easiest way otherwise all the little smog pieces will nickel and dime you to death. If you duplicate the factory smog systems and it has everything it needs, you'll get a sticker from a smog referee station that says its 'OK' and able to be registered. I'd get intimate with the smog system from the year your going to use and then proceed. Thats about it. I have to admit, I like the ZX alot, I may just have to get a ZXT one of these times just for my 'other car' that way project Lone Z can get a much needed testosterone injection to its currently mild V8. Good luck with it. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted May 30, 2002 Share Posted May 30, 2002 All great info from people who really know! The general rule of thumb you need to know is this: You can swap the same year of motor as your car or later (newer). You will need to have the smog systems swapped as well----GM only wrecking yards are great places to get LT1, etc. engines and transmissions. The advice on buying the JTR manual is good as it covers every aspect of the swap even though it applies to 1st gen Zs. You can easily sell the manual in the Buy/Sell forum when finished. Good luck! Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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