Planning to swap motors in my TJ, do any of you guys know what hoops you have to jump through in order to pass inspection in NC after a swap? Should I just register is as another vehicle and apply for a "custom title?"
Pretty sure that doesn't matter either, as long as it retains the same emissions equipment as the vehicle it came out of. I might be wrong, but I swear I saw a guy once running a Gen III 5.3L in a TJ and it was completely legal and inspectable.
Yeah, nothing really to back this up, other than an inspector told me first-hand... but the engine had to be from the same model year or newer, and had to retain all of the emissions equipment. Other than that, you could put a 502 in a Yugo. They just change the displacement in the computer when you come in for the inspection.
[ the engine had to be from the same model year or newer, and had to retain all of the emissions equipment. [/QUOTE]
I was looking to do something similar. I went to the head office and the chief inspector said it also had to be from the same manufacturer. Otherwise it would have to be titled as a custom or offroad only.
The most sure fire way to know would be to go to the DMV License and Theft Agency (not always the place where you get your plate) in your county and ask to speak to an enforcement officer. Tell them you were wondering if the swap you are planning is legal and what all you would need to complete the swap.
A friend just went through this about swapping a s10 cab he had onto an older ford 150 frame and drivetrain to make a truggy since the f150 cab was rotten. They told him they would look at the titles for both and the vin's on the frame and cab if they matched then they would reissue a title with a custom vin classifying the truck as a 2011 custom and it would only be safety inspected. He said the guy was pretty helpful.
I've put a lot of chevy s blocks into Toyota FJ40's and never retitled any of them. The more q's you ask the DMV, the more problems you will have. What year are we talking or did I miss that.
Exactly. I guarantee you that as long as you have your emissions stuff straight, no one is going to say a word. I doubt any cop is going to pull you over and give you a ticket for having a V8 in your TJ. It really is unenforcable, why give the state any more money than you have to?
That might be tough unless going with the custom title. They're gonna want an OBDII engine in that TJ. An '82 350 is gonna be a carb and they definitely wont pass that.
Well after posting this I realize I know more about doing swaps than I thought. I didn't preface this with any background to the swap so I don't mean to sound ill after not getting the response I wanted.
The 350 is already built, with sentimental value and already has more power/is fuel injected. If I was starting from scratch and going to go through all the trouble of swapping and paying for any engine I wanted it wouldn't be a 5.3 or a 350 for that matter.
My original question should have read: If I were going to swap a F.I. 350 into my TJ should I apply for a custom title or not worry about it and just leave it for the trailer? After reading this I might just leave it trail only because I am already familiar with the process of applying for a custom title and for what little driving I may or may not do on the road isn't worth the hassle.
