California Legality of 914 engine swap Options

[wiredwrx]

Hello All,

I am looking for people, specifically in California, who have gone through the process of registering, insuring, and smog testing (If it is needed) a 914 with an engine swap.

I recently read about the change to law that says post 1975 cars, no matter how old are not smog exempt, so I plan on getting a pre 1975, or whatever year I need to get, to avoid that. But, what about registering the car. Do I have to see the state ref before I can get the registration. Do I even need to go to the State ref to get signed off on. DO I have to notify the DMV of the engine swap (I have a friend doing an engine swap, and his research has determined that the DMV must be notified of the engine swap)

I am looking for any information people have.

Thanx
Michael

[Cap'n Krusty]

In CA, the smog goes with the year of the car or engine, which ever is newer. If your car doesn't need a smog, you're still supposed to have and maintain the emissions equipment, but are not required to have it tested, even on transfer. If you bring in a car from out of state, DMV needs to see the car to verify the VIN, but they don't do ANYTHING with the emissions equipment. If you do a "revived junk", a car from a wreck or a boneyard, you have to get a brake and light inspection cert, as well as a smog test if it's a 1976 or newer. Smog tests in CA may be either static or on a dyno, depending on where you register the car, and both include what is supposed to be a detailed check of the presence and function of ALL required emissions related equipment. If you do an engine swap on a newer car, the engine must meet the specs of the year it was made and be as new or newer than the car. So, if you install an engine that obviously didn't come in the car, it has to meet the complete emissions equipment specs of the year of manufacture of the engine. That includes evaporative emissions stuff, as well as the stuff designed into the engine. If you put an 80 928 engine in a '76 914, you'll need the evap stuff, all the EFI, the correct thermostat, the recirculating fuel system, and a catalytic converter feeding into a single exhaust pipe. I did a 2000 Jetta motor into a 1991 Vanagon, and it got really interesting with the BAR, the EPA, and the DMV didn't care. FWIW, Colorado was the same way, 'cause the owner tried to get tags there, too.

Now. The release of liability issue. If you send it in, it's SUPPOSED to relieve you of legal liability. However, in it's other function as an arm of the franchise tax board, the DMV sometimes runs into a tough situation. It's a smart move on your part to use the DMV bill of sale, and to record the buyers name, address, and driver's license number on the forms, in the spaces indicated. Send in the release, KEEP a SIGNED copy of the bill of sale in case they hassle you for tax money. How hard is that? The Cap'n