Legality

Post by **matt0941** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

Ok I looked around on this forum and could NOT find anything about it. But check this out: since MotoRex tested skylines and got the paper work to register them here, is it possible to have a DOT and EPA legal RB in your car? Because that would be nice to have a street legal RB motor in my 240.

Post by **Onizuka** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

If you got your engine though MotoRex ($$$$$$$$) then yes it would be legal. Anywhere else, no.

Post by **Daunttless** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

The RB is not legal unless it's in a Skyline.

Post by **lucas_420** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

Daunttless wrote:The RB is not legal unless it's in a Skyline.

That just seems strange to me, if the engine is being taken from a newer car (ie: an RB25 from an R33) and put in an older car (a 92 s13 in my case) isnt that a good thing?I mean the emissions laws have been doing nothing but getting tighter and an engine that is streat legal by California's standards today should still be legal if retrofitted into an older car (with supposedly more relaxed standards)...Would they care if someone took a new Corvette motor and installed it into a 1990 Vette or an older Camaro? I don't think it should be as big of an issue, if it has the newer emissions equipment and actually passes emissions of the more tightly controlled car! Isn't that the major concern... the reason for these laws... to protect the environment and help air quality? Or is it to keep people from enjoying their car?I guess I will never understand politics and all this bs red tape, I like things to make sense.

Post by **Redline240** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

I'm pretty sure it's because it's an engine never sold in the US. But all the same, what about all the custom engines, and hybrids?

Post by **Daunttless** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

It depends on local laws, but engines within the same make are generally ok, if you put a Corvette Engine in a 240 it's generally illegal as well.

Post by **lucas_420** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

Well that's understandable, and I'm not arguing putting an LT1 into a 240 (though I am looking forward to seeing more about it from Aries), I'm still having problems understanding why a homologated (sp?) and perfectly legal RB motor isn't allowed into an older car.Is there a practical reason for this or is it "because we say so?"

Just buy a 510 and this won't be a problem...

:thinker hey Daunt... what about a R34 AWD drivetrain in a 510?Still $16000+ or do we get a discount?:D

Post by **Daunttless** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

HEh, same price. : )

Post by **Redline240** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

Well you can always move up to Canada with me, cause all ya gotta do is get the car inspected when you buy it and then never again! No emissions testing or anything either! Haha, lol

Post by **lucas_420** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

yeah but then there is that whole mph vs kph thing... I've never been good at math:)

Post by **4cefed** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

Or you could move to Vermont. No emissions here, you just have to have a cat installed. (Or something that LOOKS like a cat that is actually an empty case with a 3" pipe through it.) If you have a '96 or newer car, they just look to see if the check engine light is on. I can actually smell raw gas from my race car, and no one cares.

Post by **lucas_420** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

Thanks Night,I'd love to and I will keep you name in file, but the plain truth right now is I have no money. Im focusing on finishing up College this spring, then I can start thinking of that.

My purpose here on the forum right now is to make connections and get information so when I get a chance, I can get sht done without looking all over the place and running into dead ends.

Post by **Vrtgrumpy** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

We are looking into the legal paperwork (0DOT and EPA to get a exception FOR the RB20 and RB25 motors. The RB26 would not be legal except in AWD form....

SORRY! Mckinney Motorsports.

http://www.mckinneymotorsports.com

Post by **lucas_420** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

We who... what group is heading that up?

Post by **Vrtgrumpy** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

WE being Mckinney Motorsports

Post by **lucas_420** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

Oh cool. Dunno if you have seen my other post in general but congrats on the coverage in "Modified"

edit: What has to be done to achiece your goal? and what exactly will it mean for the people doing swaps?

Post by **Vrtgrumpy** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

WE being Mckinney Motorsports .......

Post by **psyclone69** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

Hey NightXCZ77, they have emissions in Washington?

Post by **Vrtgrumpy** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

we have performed many DOT/EPA LEGAL engine swaps of JDM honda motors into US cars as as well as other DMC and Chevy's into Jags and Ford into Mercedes. There are ways to do some swaps legally depending on the Status of the motor and car with DOT and EPA and there are was to get gray market motors legally swaped into us cars...

Post by **Vrtgrumpy** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

Several Honda JDM B16a into a 85 Honda Prelude, 87 Jag with a 89 Corvette motor, 87 Mecerdes with a 98 Mustang 4.6 SOHC motor. 83 Jag with a 5.0 Ford. There are several legal was to do swaps depending on where you live.. In CA the motor you prutting in must be on the approved list if it is not a motor that came in a DOT/EPA approve car.. If it did you can contact the BAR and get help with the legal issues. DOT has a web site that you can get info off of.. The motor must be same year or newer and ALL smog equipment must be install from the donor car. CAT and pre cat must be in the proper location, All smog/ evap part must work and computer, motor and trans must match (part #) Check engine light must work as well as all computer fuctions. 96 and new car MUST have OBD2 complete system working and testable.

Post by **777aaron** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

Hey grumpy,is your dad Mike McKinney that races superstock in a old Firebird,probally a 69 with a 400 in it if I remember right?

Post by **Vrtgrumpy** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

No! ( Mack) A chevy power Henry J , a Supercharged 55 Chevy

Post by **777aaron** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

He did'nt race a NHRA superstocker?

Post by **machinehead** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

its only illegal if they look

Post by **MrFox** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

here is the CARB page referencing the legality of swaps

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/replace.htm

vague, as always, but the official word none the less

cheers

Post by **rbsileighty** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:25 pm

"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."

The RB fits all of that...

Legality

Legality

legal swaps

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