Ca. 3.6 V-Ram Conv. Passes Smog!!

[drums]

It is now LEGAL!!
After months [since Sept.] of going to the referee and being rejected, my 3.6 conversion finally got the coveted door jam sticker of approval from the State of California!!
The engine is a '97 and had to be back dated to a '95 so it would pass. I am quite sure it would be far too expensive to make a non OBD-2 car into one. Yes, I know some of you will argue that point, so I will say far too expensive for me. Long story short, I got to keep the Vario Ram induction system and it is now officially legal.
If I knew then what I know now, it would have passed the first time I took it in. It really is that simple.
Thanks for all of the encouragement you have provided to me throughout my struggles with this!
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[jevvy]

excellent, guess you have had a few drives since?

How do you like the 3.6 in the 89 car?

[drums]

Yes, I have driven it without being legal [4,000 mi.!] but I figured what the heck, I've already paid the state the $156 yearly registration fee and all that was needed was a correction on a couple of technicalities!
The difference in power is astounding! There were a few tweeks here and there to increase h.p., too.
What a rush to drive! I had the suspension upgraded, also.
It feels so good to finally be legal!
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[Jack Olsen]

That's great.

For future engine-swappers, would it possible to write out the salient facts for getting official approval?

[drums]

The best advice I could give would be to go to the smog referee and discuss what you are getting ready to do. He will give you all of the requirements needed to meet the specifications.
The rules in a nutshell are:
Whatever year of engine you are putting in [newer, of course] you must make sure ALL of the smog equipment that comes on that year MUST be there after the swap. The intake and exhaust [to the outlet of the cats] MUST be stock along with the vital engine parts [number of spark plugs, no obvious upgrades, etc.].
If anyone has questions, don't hesitate to ask.
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[vash]

damn, drum. write a tech article. dont let this info disappear with you.

great job by the way..

[cab83_750]

You can now sell the car to me!

just kidding! I remembered when you had it for sale.

Congratulations.

[Jeff Alton]

That is great news, way to go!!

Cheers

[MW4904]

I actually had the privledge of getting a ride after the conversion was done. Very impressive! Thanks David! My wife is wishing I never got that ride.

[jevvy]

hehe, once you feel the 3.6 shove theres no going back eh!

[drums]

MW4904, you are the one that got me thinking of a 3.6 conversion instead of just rebuilding [with enhancements] the old 3.2, so it has come full circle! We just can't let our wives get together and compare notes!
Thanks all the same!
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[jorian]

Way to go. I remember feeling bad for you every time you posted your latest go-round with the smog-nazis. Everything worthwhile takes effort I guess.

[drums]

Thanks, jorian.
What a roller coaster ride it was!
The shop that did the suspension and actual conversion did a great job. My only complaint with them is that they were not up to speed nor seemed to care too much about the smog issue. It was up to me to do the research on what was required.
In defense of them, it was their first 3.6 conversion and they didn't know what to expect. They didn't charge me what they could have for all of the time they spent in putting the whole package together. Many people that have seen it have remarked on how it looks as if the car came with that engine in it from the factory. Of course, when someone who knows looks at it, it becomes clear that this is a transplant-no air conditioning, no heat, resonator tips straight off the cats......
Thanks for the sympathetic pain!
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