Engine swap - NC inspection?

billybob535

CJ-6 Junkie
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Location
Shallotte NC
I see a lot of 87-95 wranglers running around with various V8 swaps. I know that when I take my stock 95 in for inspection its a safety inspection with a "visual" inspection to make sure emissions devices are present but no actual emissions test.

How exactly are folks getting around that when they swap motors? I am not asking what the law is, I already read it. I just want to know what is being done to get around it. I don't think it is a simple as "knowing a guy" as there are a lot of them running around.

Anyone care to enlighten me?

Thanks
 
I can't answer your question since I haven't had an engine swap done but what I can tell you is that I have not once seen the Jiffy Lube guys open the hood of my jeep. I have a cat and all my lights work. I don't have a light on the license plate and I only have a drivers side mirror and I've passed the last two years. I guess you could just take it to a place and see what happens. I only had the safety inspection done and it cost $13 or so.
 
the LAW is that since any YJ didn't have a V8 in in you can't have one 'legally' but you just need to find a shop to get you through. thats why I have stuck with CJ's since they were offered from the factory with them.
 
The law is motor swaps must be the same year or newer then the one you took out and have all the emissions controls it was made with that being said there are lots of ways to make things work

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
karatejosh said:
The law is motor swaps must be the same year or newer then the one you took out and have all the emissions controls it was made with that being said there are lots of ways to make things work

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Yep. Read that part of the law. I regularly see jeeps with engine swaps that do not follow those rules. Besides knowing someone who will pass them or knowing a place that does not bother to look, any other ways to get by.

I am considering a 4bt/4500/241 swap.
 
What are you putting it in if its obd1 i dought any place would give you much trouble as long as it looks legit

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
95 YJ 2.5/auto. I am trying to decide if I want to upgrade this Jeep or sell it and get something older before I start sinking money into it. I like the Jeep and I bought it because its was cheap, clean, rust free, and had not been modified which is hard to find here.
 
Its kinda like running beadlocked wheels on the street, the average tech or officer won't know they are real and /or not legal. Your average tech at a Jiffy Lube type place doesn't really care what was in the YJ originally. They'll check for a cat, check the brakes, lights, wipers, etc, and move along. If you swap in a diesel they'll likely only do a safety inspection since diesels don't require the full one.
Those that do know are more likely to ask questions with interest in the build IMHO.
 
Chuckman said:
the LAW is that since any YJ didn't have a V8 in in you can't have one 'legally' but you just need to find a shop to get you through. thats why I have stuck with CJ's since they were offered from the factory with them.
Click to expand...
This is a Fed EPA law vs an NC law. Still applies but local folks likely aren't up to speed.

Diesel swaps fall under the same category. Also, while you might get away with it, they can tell if it was diesel or gas when putting the vin in the system. I would recommend having the state convert the vin to diesel if you complete the swap.
 
This question is asked about once a month.

You will be fine if the vehicle is 1995 or older, and you make an effort to look legit, (exhaust done properly, not leaking, with muffler) and a tidy engine bay. If it's not smoking/leaking/making a ton of noise, and all the lights , horn, and wipers are in good shape you have nothing to worry about. Don't have to know a guy.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk
 
When I lived in NC I never had any issues with my V8 swap. It was registered in a non emissions county when it was still required, but never had any issues with the safety inspection.
 
Back
Top