3.6 transplant to referee?

[Moses]

Has anyone taken a 3.6 transplant to a referee recently? Tips? Expectations?

[widebody911]

BTDT. http://www.rennlight.com/howto/smog/

Basically, they're going to go over the engine with a fine-toothed comb. You will have to have your Check Engine Light installed, oxy sensor hooked up, etc. I don't know about cats; I didn't have to have them because my car is a '77 and didn't have them originally.

[Moses]

Thom,

What I need is a copy of the model-specific rules the referee will apply whan evaluating my car. I have called BAR and they are not very forthcoming.

Potential problems;

1) It's a '97 EURO motor. OBDI (Not California).

2) Neither the original SC cat or the 993 cat will fit on the car. I am running a pair of RandomTech cats and my emissions are excellent. The RandomTech website says the cats meet CARB standards. (whatever that means).

3) I have a functional "Check engine light", but no OXY sensor light. (Don't know if the 993 had one.)

I have a deep and abiding relationship with this car. I do not want to take a chance with some smog clerk who may pull the plug on my automotive happiness.

Why can't they just give me a complete list of what my car will need in order to comply?

I get so frustrated, especially since my car runs cleaner than any stock SC ever built and it gets better mileage.

[widebody911]

Personally, I think the (smog check) system is rigged to discourage this sort of thing.

What it comes down to is the installation of the new motor in the old car is supposed to be functionally indentical to it's installation in the new car. This is what drives the PITA-factor through the roof.

"Meets CARB Standards" and "CARB Approved" are two different things, unfortunately.

They will argue with you on inane details, so it's best to be prepared. For example, they claimed I needed a CEL, but 1990 didn't have one. Adrian Streather scanned and emailed me pages from the DME manual to that effect, which got me out of it.

Basically, you're over the precipice as it is; in for a sheep, in for a lamb. I say take it in and see what happens. Don't tell them it's a Euro motor; I don't know if they have the resources to tell anyway. Heck, you could probably tell them it's a 1989 964 engine, and they wouldn't know any better. Keep your mouth shut about the OBDI thing, make everything look as stock as possible, and you have a good chance of getting through. Find out about the O2 light beforehand just to save yourself the hassle. Get any and all dox that might help your case.

I'm surprised MikeZ hasn't chimed in; this is his baliwick.

[widebody911]

Originally posted by Moses
What I need is a copy of the model-specific rules the referee will apply whan evaluating my car. I have called BAR and they are not very forthcoming.

FWIW, I don't think such a list exists; think about the logistics of all of the Make/model/year combos.

I do know they used the Mitchell book (inaccurate as it may be) to look up the various systems, ie o2 sensor, CEL, cats, etc. Perhaps you could find someone to look that up for you.

[Moses]

What if I try the ref and he finds a problem that cannot be practically addressed? Am I screwed? Can I no longer register or smog my car?

[widebody911]

Originally posted by Moses
What if I try the ref and he finds a problem that cannot be practically addressed? Am I screwed? Can I no longer register or smog my car?

Basically.

In general, people should do the smog homework before the engine swap, but in real life, that's not the way things happen. I know I didn't.9