spotter guy
Active Member
- Joined
- April 12, 2005
- Messages
- 68
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- HB, Ca.
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1986 high torque Bigwheel
For the last few days I have been researching the installation of the Ford 302 engine in a first gen-exploder. To clear the air on requirements from the BAR, ARB (Bureau of Automotive Repair, Air Resources Board) and Smog Referee Station there are some rules you should know.
Requirements to pass smog in Enhanced Smog zones:
1.) Same year engine or newer
2.) Same Fuel delivery system or newer
3.) All smog equipment required for the year/make/model engine.
4.) Exhaust system retained in the exact configuration as original factory installed.
5.) All fuel tank sensors or tank from the same year/make/model vehicle as engine. The installation of a donor tank may require inspection by DOT (Department of transportation) safety division ONLY if Referee tech feels it is unsafe. Any aftermarket tank must have an EO (Executive Order) number that corresponds to the year/make/model vehicle and or year/make/model of engine.
6.) Engine must pass smog requirements from the year/make/model engine and have functioning service lights on dash with diagnostic plug and NO computer code alarms.
Extras:
You are not allowed to mix and match parts from different year/make/model engines. For example, you can't use a 1994 mustang engine and 1996 exploder exhaust manifolds. Everything must stay the same and the only 2 exceptions are as follows:
1.) After market smog legal parts (headers, intake, etc.) that possess the EO (Executive Order) number given to the manufacturer by the ARB also known as the sticker for under the hood.
2.) The Referee tech does not notice a change or part installed from a different year engine. The smog tech I spoke with made it very clear that he will inspect casting numbers to be sure he is not fooled however not all techs are this diligent in fact he was very willing to help and even give me guidance when I get closer to an install.
You can’t even cut an exhaust pipe to get around x-member or clear frame-horns before the catalytic-converter. It must all stay the same as it was from the factory. I would have to imagine that some have done the swap and not had to go through all this but these are the rules and like any official not all techs are the same.
One other important thing:
For those of you like me, that want to get a donor EX 96 or newer think again; plan carefully first gen. has the OBD-1 (On Board Diagnostics) and the 96 and newer uses OBD-2. Two totally different systems and it may require more work. OBD-2 is much better for fuel economy and trouble shooting engine related problems to name a few however; it uses more SENSORS/CATS and may be more work than it is worth. There are a lot of choices and I will continue to research this topic until I have completed an install.
Please post experiences you’ve had doing the smog portion of your engine swap so people can find good sources and clear up any questions they may have.
Disclaimer: I am only relaying the info I was told by a certified smog tech working currently in the Huntington Beach area at a Smog Referee Station.
Sources:www.bar.ca.gov, www.arb.ca.gov The ARB can get you in contact with a local Referee Station
Requirements to pass smog in Enhanced Smog zones:
1.) Same year engine or newer
2.) Same Fuel delivery system or newer
3.) All smog equipment required for the year/make/model engine.
4.) Exhaust system retained in the exact configuration as original factory installed.
5.) All fuel tank sensors or tank from the same year/make/model vehicle as engine. The installation of a donor tank may require inspection by DOT (Department of transportation) safety division ONLY if Referee tech feels it is unsafe. Any aftermarket tank must have an EO (Executive Order) number that corresponds to the year/make/model vehicle and or year/make/model of engine.
6.) Engine must pass smog requirements from the year/make/model engine and have functioning service lights on dash with diagnostic plug and NO computer code alarms.
Extras:
You are not allowed to mix and match parts from different year/make/model engines. For example, you can't use a 1994 mustang engine and 1996 exploder exhaust manifolds. Everything must stay the same and the only 2 exceptions are as follows:
1.) After market smog legal parts (headers, intake, etc.) that possess the EO (Executive Order) number given to the manufacturer by the ARB also known as the sticker for under the hood.
2.) The Referee tech does not notice a change or part installed from a different year engine. The smog tech I spoke with made it very clear that he will inspect casting numbers to be sure he is not fooled however not all techs are this diligent in fact he was very willing to help and even give me guidance when I get closer to an install.
You can’t even cut an exhaust pipe to get around x-member or clear frame-horns before the catalytic-converter. It must all stay the same as it was from the factory. I would have to imagine that some have done the swap and not had to go through all this but these are the rules and like any official not all techs are the same.
One other important thing:
For those of you like me, that want to get a donor EX 96 or newer think again; plan carefully first gen. has the OBD-1 (On Board Diagnostics) and the 96 and newer uses OBD-2. Two totally different systems and it may require more work. OBD-2 is much better for fuel economy and trouble shooting engine related problems to name a few however; it uses more SENSORS/CATS and may be more work than it is worth. There are a lot of choices and I will continue to research this topic until I have completed an install.
Please post experiences you’ve had doing the smog portion of your engine swap so people can find good sources and clear up any questions they may have.
Disclaimer: I am only relaying the info I was told by a certified smog tech working currently in the Huntington Beach area at a Smog Referee Station.
Sources:www.bar.ca.gov, www.arb.ca.gov The ARB can get you in contact with a local Referee Station
