JKearns87

At the end of the year I am moving back to California. I have a 96 ranger that I plan on doing an LSX swap into but just need to figure out what motor I can use to make it CARB legal cause it will be my DD. Can I get the motor out of a car or does it need to be out of a truck since it is going into a truck? Also is there anyone someone could recommend me to that I could get the motor and transmission mounted up? Thanks guys

blades11b

iTrader: (1)

the only true CARB legal kit i know of is the new E-rod from gm performance parts (its basically an LS3)

xXxSilveradoxXx

iTrader: (5)

The E-Rod is only compliant in Pre-OBD II (1995 and earlier) vehicles.

Honestly, with the price that it would cost to make your Ranger CARB legal with a LSx, I would just pick up a RCSB Silverado.

JKearns87

Sorry I didn't mean CARB. I meant BAR legal swap

djsanchez2

iTrader: (14)

Great info here. Post #1

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=221144

ZexGX

iTrader: (28)

Post #1 is a very good post. I would also like to add that you should look into using a truck motor, as truck motors and truck parts (such as exhaust) are much easier to find. Since it will be going into a Ranger, the biggest thing to worry about is intake manifold and exhaust clearance. If the dimensions of the truck intakes/exhaust will not work for your project, you may need to find a donor Camaro/Firebird to pull the motor/smog equipment from.

BuffJoeyD

iTrader: (2)

to motor swap in CA and have it be legal there is truely only one base requirement.

Motor installed in target vehicle must be newer than year of target vehicle, and smog as though it is in the car the motor was originally intended.

You can put any LS1 in as long as it smogs like the car its from. The easiest thing to generally do is use a 2001-2002 ( PCM ) as that is how the smog machine acknowledges engine year. ( as 01-02 f-body has few emissions )

you'll get it.

xXxSilveradoxXx

iTrader: (5)

Also, you can only put car motors in cars, truck motors in trucks. LS1 in a truck would be illegal, gonna have to go with LR4, LM7, LQ4, ect.

ZexGX

iTrader: (28)

That's not true. You can do a car motor into a truck, but not vise versa. The logic for the rule that allows it is that the car emissions standards are more stringent due to a lesser gross vehicle weight than a truck. That is why you can put a car motor into a truck, but not a truck motor into a car.

Edit: straight from the BAR guidelines - "CLASSIFICATION
Don't mix engine and vehicle classifications which will degrade the emissions certification standards. For example, a heavy–duty engine cannot be installed in a light–duty exhaust–controlled chassis even if they have the same displacement. Non–emissions controlled power plants such as industrial or off–road–use–only engines may not be placed in any exhaust–controlled vehicle."

xXxSilveradoxXx

iTrader: (5)

California EPA website:

Engine changes are legal as long as the following requirements are met to ensure that the change does not increase pollution from the vehicle:
The engine must be the same year or newer than the vehicle.

The engine must be from the same type of vehicle (passenger car, light-duty truck, heavy-duty truck, etc.) based on gross vehicle weight.

If the vehicle is a California certified vehicle then the engine must also be a California certified engine.

All emissions control equipment must remain on the installed engine.

Vehicles converted to 100% electric drive, with all power supplied by on-board batteries are considered in compliance with the engine change requirements. All fuel system components must be removed prior to inspection. For additional information contact the ARB helpline at (800) 242-4450

JKearns87

Thanks for all of the great info guys! So I would probably have an easier time putting a 5.3 from a silverado than an LS1 from a car? Am I understanding that correctly? The only thing I don't like about the truck motor is that it is an iron block instead of aluminum like the LS1

LS1Adam84

iTrader: (21)

Lee, I have heard this is more of a true statement with CA and BAR.

Heck put an LM7 in it and call it a day, you could even bore it to LS1 size use stock LS1 pistons, through truck heads on it, increase the SCR a little, and a small cam and there ya go, BAR legal and making power all at once. Sorry put the cam in after getting the swap certified just in case they want to get douchey on ya.

ZexGX

iTrader: (28)

I doubt any of the rest of the modifications to the block would be legal according to CA. lmao

s/c'd cav

iTrader: (10)

motor wise its gonna be hard for them to tell a LS1 from LS6 to a LQ4/9 , since they all look identical , and if you painted the block black , it would be harder to tell a LS1 from a truck motor , though there is some newer 5.3's that are all aluminum

just make sure the tune in the computer used is what its supposed to be

LS1Adam84

iTrader: (21)

Ahhh but they go and look for the Casting number on the block and match it to the year of the vehicle you are saying it is from, an LS1/LS6 casting may be similar, but the LQ4/9 and LR4 and LM7 are not the same as the LS1/6.


Lee, yeah very true but they are not going to take the heads off to see if you have a larger piston size lol.

s/c'd cav

iTrader: (10)

ive known gm to use the same cast # for years and several different blocks , and not all have the vin or other info stamped into them

Nowhereman

Reading these posts, tells me that I can install an LS7 into my 2000 WS6 and pass smog?
Some in here said no, it can't be done and be CA legal.
So, what is it?

s/c'd cav

iTrader: (10)

you can have a 900ci LSX in the car as long as it looks stock , and idles close to stock and will pass the sniffer , no one will be the wiser

or since the LS7 is a newer motor , you can get it swapped in legal like if you follow their rules and use most all the newer emissions equipment

Nowhereman

There's a website; www.enginefactory.com that has some of the nicest drop in LS motors ever seen.
When I contacted them, they told me their motors would not pass CA smog.
Their LS7s are nasty and would really be nice in a bird.

kmracer

iTrader: (1)

that place is a rip.