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California approved engine swaps.


1979_datsun_620

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It's not hard to get a swap to pass the ref. You just need to be thorough in the build process and include anything and everything related to emissions, EVAP, exhaust, etc.

 

Again, this is why I say it's easier to start with a donor vehicle. It's all laid out there for you to see. With enough pics taken before teardown and plenty of notes and measurements, the build process is actually quite simple.

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So I took my Datsun with my mechanic and had him change anything he had to change and fix it right up (He is my uncle, 100% trust this guy). I've decided to restore everything original and slowly upgrade brakes, driveshaft etc....

Engine sounds great. Compression is where it needs to be and has original 90K Miles. I know that after 100,000 it would reset but this one has 90K miles according to the vehicle report!!!

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I want to move to cali, but my truck is a '76. One year off. Lol. Trust me i feel the pain. I've been trying to think how to beat emissions issues for a bit.

I could go down there and just not change my ID but that just doesnt work in the long run lol.

Ill just tell people its a 75 and hope they dont look into it. Pshhh Not! Lol

Whos got a pre 75- 620 engine badge and title yo. Haha.

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I'm not sure what happens in that case. Surely they can't expect you to convert your vehicle over. Maybe there is a escape clause?

 

Expect you to convert it?  No.  Make you smog it, yes, and fail you for lacking the OEM smog controls.  That is, if it met CA emissions standards in the first place.  Not sure what year that began, but if you try to bring in a 49-states emissions vehicle, even a 2017, they will tell you to shove it.

 

Edit: 49-state emissions requirement might only apply to brand new vehicles purchased out of state.  Like all CA laws, it's a bit vague.

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No, they can't make you install non-original equipment to pass emissions testing, but you need to be able to prove that is is, in fact, a "49 state" vehicle that has never been registered in CA, and you need to also be able to show what the original equipment was. If it was modified at any point, all the original equipment, no matter CA or 49 state, needs to be in place and operational.

 

Once, long ago, I brought in an out of state car with 49 state emissions equipment and I had to be sure that the proper federal emissions compliant sticker was on the fan shroud. Mine was missing so before I tried to register it, I bought a used fan shroud with the proper sticker, showing that it was 49 state legit. Without that sticker, they would have made me conform to CA standards.

 

CA used to charge an "entrance fee" of around $300 for bringing in non CA vehicles, but that rule was changed.

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L-series are solid & dependable. If it runs, then drive it till the horses jump the fence. At the same time you can collect and build up a swap-able drive-train.

 

Two cents on smog... Having dealt with smog recently, I can tell you it's quite informative. Get a manual and do a detailed analysis of complete emissions equipment. Diagnose, Replace & Test. Not that difficult nor a hassle. Once it passes it's a matter of maintaining the equipment.

Process is expensive.

 

Knowledge is base so a stack of manuals is gold.  Don't know if this helps but it's something.

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You know...there is another way.

but first..an introduction,  what makes vehicle A year x?

Farme? cab? body?.  No to all. what makes a vehicle a 76 instead of a 79 is the vin plates and associated title.

Shop around for a junked 76 or older and buy the title and plates, even from out of state...doesn't matter,  transfer (rivet) them to your 79, go register it.

Win win.

Done that a few times over the years, never had an issue, once the dmv inspector (Reno Nevada) even complimented on the "good job"

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Wrong.

 

The frame is also stamped and if ever someone suspects, it's an easy matter to check that they dio not match. Wow fucking with the state and federal emission laws??? You would be jailed so friggin fast. Yes you may not be caught but what about the poor guy you sell it too. It could easily come back on you for fraud.

 

'76 do not have disc brakes, another give away.

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You know...there is another way.

but first..an introduction, what makes vehicle A year x?

Farme? cab? body?. No to all. what makes a vehicle a 76 instead of a 79 is the vin plates and associated title.

Shop around for a junked 76 or older and buy the title and plates, even from out of state...doesn't matter, transfer (rivet) them to your 79, go register it.

Win win.

Done that a few times over the years, never had an issue, once the dmv inspector (Reno Nevada) even complimented on the "good job"

...that's Nevada, also here in Cali its 75 and below that don't need smog. For each state its different and best to go to DMV, bar, website to get what is required. Don't second this...
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Wrong.

 

The frame is also stamped and if ever someone suspects, it's an easy matter to check that they dio not match. Wow fucking with the state and federal emission laws??? You would be jailed so friggin fast. Yes you may not be caught but what about the poor guy you sell it too. It could easily come back on you for fraud.

 

'76 do not have disc brakes, another give away.

But it's government workers you're talking about here.. my dmv didn't even know or check my frame vin. 

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I said they could. If you drive like a dick a cop will be looking for things to hit you with. Someone you know might rat you out.

 

You know...there is another way.

but first..an introduction,  what makes vehicle A year x?

Farme? cab? body?.  No to all. what makes a vehicle a 76 instead of a 79 is the vin plates and associated title.

Shop around for a junked 76 or older and buy the title and plates, even from out of state...doesn't matter,  transfer (rivet) them to your 79, go register it.

Win win.

Done that a few times over the years, never had an issue, once the dmv inspector (Reno Nevada) even complimented on the "good job"

 

Now the whole world knows.

 

 

On the farm we used to fuck the sheep.... but we never told anyone.

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