6G Celicas Forums

good thing i live in texas!!!

Your so right, but when you really look at it... You can make your Celi fast and cheap and legal.

If you want NA- Get a 1mz.
If you want turbo- 3sgte.

Hooked up correctly, you have a fast legal toyota that will smoke.

2zz-ge is also an option.

True, but the hard part of this swap, AND REF'S ARE AWARE OF THIS, is that zz engines are reversed, which means the header is on the Back side. zz equiped cars have big indents in the firewalls to make a "tunnel" so to speak for the header. So doing a zz swap, you, Most likely, have to cut the fire wall or need to move or modify the steering rack so the stock header clears. The reason this is a problem is because you cannot have a custom header made and it be legal, unless you pay thousands to submit the design to BAR and have them test it to legalize it. This is a similar problem the Honda guys have trying to legalize the k20 in older civics. It is possible though.

here's what I found:



1. I want to modify or replace my vehicle's engine, will it pass the smog test?

If you are deciding to change your vehicle's engine, these guidelines must be observed to ensure that the vehicle will be eligible for smog certification or registration.

Remember, these are guidelines for performing engine changes -- not certification procedures. All exhaust emission controlled vehicles with engine changes must be inspected by an official referee station and must have a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Vehicle Identification Label affixed to the doorpost.

Remember also, state and federal anti-tampering laws generally prohibit any modification to the vehicle's original emission control system configuration as certified by the manufacturer. And, Section 3362.1 of the California Code of Regulations prohibits any engine change that degrades the effectiveness of a vehicle's emission control system.

1. California Certification
A federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified (federal or 49-state) engine cannot be used in a vehicle that was originally certified for California.
2. Certification Standards
Make sure the engine and emission control configuration on exhaust - controlled vehicles are certified to the year of the vehicle or newer, and to the same or a more stringent new vehicle certification standard.
3. 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.
4. Computer Controls
If a computer-controlled engine is installed in a non-computerized vehicle, the "CHECK ENGINE" light, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) diagnostic link, and all sensors, switches, and wiring harnesses needed to make the system fully functional must also be installed.
5. Emission Control Configuration
Mixing and matching emission control system components could cause problems and is generally not allowed. Engine and emission control systems must be in an engine-chassis configuration certified by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The engine must meet or exceed the requirements for the year and class of vehicle in which it is installed.
6. Emission Warranty
Voiding the vehicle manufacturer's emission warranty is not allowed.
7. Engine Modifications
No internal or external engine modifications (cams, pistons, intakes, etc.) may be performed unless the parts are ARB-exempted or EPA-certified for use in the installed engine. Use the database on this site to search for aftermarket parts covered by ARB Executive Orders.
8. Original Equipment
The installed engine and host chassis must retain all of their original emission control equipment. Diesel-to-gasoline conversions must have all gasoline engine and chassis emission control systems installed (such as fillpipe restrictor, catalytic converter and evaporative emission system).
9. Smog Inspection
These vehicles must pass a complete smog inspection (visual, functional, and tailpipe).

So with regards to the California Certification part (#1) would mean that if I move to Cali, my car is legal in the other 49 states, that I could stick an engine in it that came from another car made to Federal regulations?

Really? Dr Tweak was talking about this swap a while back and didn't mention anything about cutting into the firewall. Just said that it would involve some serious wiring. I believe he swapped one into a corolla with no problem?

8th and 9th gen (1998 and up) corollas come with a ZZ engine already, so the firewall isnt a problem.

I think (though it's really just a guess) that if the car is registered in another state at the time of the swap and it is made to be legal in that state, and then you bring it into california they really can't do anything about it and it won't have to apply to the cali engine swap laws. the thing is, it will have to have all cali-spec emissions requirements and will need to pass the smog test. most (non-modified) cars from out of state don't pass right off the bat when they come to cali and need to be modified slightly to meet with the emissions standard. when my parents brought the civic to cali, the people at the DMV inspected and smogged it and seemed really pissed that it actually passed (pissed because now they'll make less money ripping you off.)

just to add on top of this cuz my friend did this last year s2000 motor in a old school celica legalized it..........you also need the vin from the donor car.........the ref wants to make sure your engine wasnt stolen or wasnt produced in the states

wait from what i was reading you cannot swap older engines into the celica. so if your saying that mr2 3sgte can be swapped in celica that is wrong.'

2nd gen mr2 were produced until 93. 94-99 spec sw20 mr2 were not made in us becuase they would have to have the 3rd gen 3sgte. which is same reason why us didnt get an alltrac celica for our gen.

Well this is an old thread. lol. Well, now that I am only weeks away from having a smog license, I can say for sure that no 3sgte swap is going to be legal in a 6gc in california. You would only be able to swap engine's from vehicles same year or newer, and it must be a cali-spec engine (if your car is cali-spec) (no JDM motors...).

Engines do have a little plate with a VIN engraved on them, which the ref will check for to be sure your swap is legal. So basically you will be stuck with 94+ camry and solara V6 swaps only. and they'll have to be 100% stock (or with carb certified aftermarket parts) which is going to be hard when it comes to things like exhausts and intakes which stock ones won't fit... basically california is doing everything in it's power to keep us from having fun.

And u wonder why lift no longer exists!? damn political crap if u ask me!!