sbc emission concerns?

[spencer]

ok so i have planned for a while to get the zx looking good and run the six while building a sbc and have the v8 fully done when it goes in. i have a first gen 350 on the stand ready to start the build. unfortunately i am one of like 6 counties in tennessee that has marda(emissions). my power expectations are in the range of 450hp. my concern is will that much power (or a little more) be impossible to pass marda without a severe de-tune. plans were to go simple with the carb. but i wouldn't mind going with the ls1 at all. i could get more power and also do a turbo or supercharger if i wanted. but if anyone knows the restrictions in TN and would know if it would pass that would be great.

thanks for any info,

spencer

[kamikaZeS30]

It's not really "power" that determines whether or not you pass emissions. It would depend on the cleanliness of the combustion, i.e. rich/lean, are the EGR, PCV, catalytic converter, ignition advance, etc., set properly and functioning. What year 350 is it? I know in 1971 (since I am swapping a '71 350 from a Camaro into my '71 240Z) I am required to have a PCV, charcoal canister and A.I.R. pump.

 

Unfortunately, I know absolutely nothing about Tennessee emissions regulations. I know according to California regulations (which are supposedly the most "restrictive") you can legally swap any engine from a vehicle of the same class (read: passenger car or light duty vehicle) from the same model year as the body or newer-- provided that all of the emissions equipment is accompanying the engine once the swap is complete. The vehicle is then considered the make/model/year of the engine for emissions testing.

 

I would suggest checking with your state's DMV or BAR to find out what the procedures and regulations are regarding change of engine. In California, to make it "legal" you have to get it documented, inspected and approved by a BAR agent-- it's not costly or time consuming, just takes a little bit of finger walking through a phone book. It's also worth while, because in California, if you drive an import you WILL get pulled over at some point and your hood popped. Having that BAR sticker is like a get-out-of-impound-free card, cops won't even bother inspecting the vehicle if they see it in the door jamb.

 

Therefore, swapping an LS1, LT1 or late-model 350 into a 280ZX is perfectly legal in California.

 

Another thought: You may not have to smog a vehicle that old. I know that anything before 1975 in California does not have to submit to bi-annual smog inspections. Some states have rolling calendars of 20 or 30 years.

 

After doing a quick Google search it appears that Tennessee's vehicle regulatory body falls under the department of safety. Also found this: http://www.dmv.org/tn-tennessee/smog-check.php and this: http://www.state.tn.us/environment/apc/vehicle/

Edited November 15, 2010 by kamikaZeS30

[spencer]

Yeah i didnt mean that the power wouldnt pass but more power means more being burned from what i understand. But i was told it was from a 79 z28. so since i have an 80 i might not be able to do it? and TN also has that pre 75 is exempt from smog. so i would have to go through marda with just the gas cap check and the sniffer. and i wasn't planning to do the "paperwork" on the swap, i was just going to go through and hope it passes(running cats of course but i will have to check on that. but in getting it approved does that mean i would have to keep things like the afm? (i dont see how that would work).

thanks for the input.

[kamikaZeS30]

If it was part of the engine originally, yes you'd have to keep it.

[spencer]

but what about the earlier year motor then?? should i be looking for an ls1 etc.?

[kamikaZeS30]

I don't know, I don't know your state's regulations. Read the information in those links, that'd probably be a good start to answering some of your questions.

[spencer]

alright thanks for the help!