Moving to California..... Smog testing #FML

jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI
last few guys here who tried to get an ROW truck through using a third party referred to the CHP.

Maybe that is just for grey market trucks? I couldn't find anything about the laws changing via a quick google search.
 

jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI
Yes it's for vehicles that require a vin verification due to not having a DMV historical record

Any out of state vehicle must have a VIN verification done to register in California. Even our D1, which was registered in Ca before it was registered in Texas, had to have a VIN verification done.

Where can I find info about third party VIN verification no longer being allowed?
 

Napalm00

Technical Excellence Contributor
It's what was told to us by the courier service. I don't have a documented source .

Three locals had to do it this route
 
Last edited:

Robbiekb

Member
Just to expand on this thread as i may be shortly in the same boat...

I own a 1985 2.5NA 90 and live in Washington state. It's looking like I may need to move to CA for work, although I'll maintain my household in Washington.

The lack of CARB compliance for the R2.8 and my current engine makes those scenarios clear. I can't register either my 90 or my 109 in CA without an engine swap. But...

It appears from reading, that if I swap in the complete engine and emissions equipment from a newer CARB compliant LS engine Chevy, that I'd just have to visit the referree when it was time to register in CA rather than a trip to the CARB certification lab.

Napalm, you mentioned that all grey market vehicles need to go to the lab regardless ?
 

Napalm00

Technical Excellence Contributor
yea, you can't swap the engine from a legal vehicle on a grey market truck to make it legal. The only LEGAL way is to take it to G&K carb lab for certification...there are many other options if you are willing to skirt the law or try and avoid scrutiny.

Legality starts with the VIN post 1975 (the year that smog rules are tied to registration). the Vehicle needs to be a federal or Cali compliant vehicle before you can even think about registering it. The VIN and the engine family/emissions system that are tied to one another are they key to its initial acceptance.

@NYC Defender any updates on your situation ?
 

Robbiekb

Member
I have a little more info to add to this post to aid with future searches. I talked to CARB, Cummins and G&K today confirming everything already mentioned by Napalm. Surprisingly, G&K want my truck with its stock 2.5NA as opposed to an updated, cleaner engine. They will add a DPF filter and play with fueling to get it to pass emissions. Total cost was quoted at $9950 with a time of 3-4 months. After the truck is legally registered, I can then upgrade to an R28, providing my truck is older than 1997 (which it is). While 10k is a large chunk of coin, it’s still cheaper than a NAS truck.
 

MountainD

Technical Excellence Contributor
After the truck is legally registered, I can then upgrade to an R28, providing my truck is older than 1997 (which it is). While 10k is a large chunk of coin, it’s still cheaper than a NAS truck.

The R2.8 isn’t compliant for CA. So you may be able to upgrade to it, but if they ever find out, you will at very least not get a re-registration. CO just implemented the need for an engine verification DR2365 form for all grey market vehicles (retroactive)— my buddy who has been legally registered here FOR 8 YEARS (but a non compliant engine) was just required to submit his truck for verification. It can’t pass— the engine isn’t the original engine and isn’t epa certified (td5). He now has to swap and get a DR form before it can be registered...cause CO changed the rules... think CA may change theirs? The G&K certified engine would be grandfathered...but not a different engine. Food for thought...
 

Robbiekb

Member
The R2.8 isn’t compliant for CA. So you may be able to upgrade to it, but if they ever find out, you will at very least not get a re-registration. CO just implemented the need for an engine verification DR2365 form for all grey market vehicles (retroactive)— my buddy who has been legally registered here FOR 8 YEARS (but a non compliant engine) was just required to submit his truck for verification. It can’t pass— the engine isn’t the original engine and isn’t epa certified (td5). He now has to swap and get a DR form before it can be registered...cause CO changed the rules... think CA may change theirs? The G&K certified engine would be grandfathered...but not a different engine. Food for thought...

I did check that point with Cummins yesterday. The engine upgrade to the R28 would likely trigger a visit to the referee, where due to the age of the vehicle (1985) it would be looked at, and then passed as it's pre-1997. Or at least thats the information that Cummins is supplying to customers in writing.

from Cummins:
Currently the EPA approval is still pending the CARB approval process and does not have an Executive Order (E.O.) number assigned. However, the engine has been fully released under US EPA Memo 1A which states that the engine swap is legal provided the replacement is as clean as original. For California residents as of today, this would be acceptable for any vehicle 1976 and older, and could also be used to repower a 1976 - 1998 vehicle if it was a diesel to diesel swap, or if your vehicle has been titled as a diesel-powered vehicle.
 

mgreenspan

Founding Member
Talk to Nick. He makes a smog ready kit for his LS swap. You can do those without issue in CA. It requires more parts. I wouldn’t recommend attempting a diesel swap here in CA. Smog is annoying. You’ll likely be able to pass the check with anything that has OBDII and all components, but could easily fail for the visual portion. I’d go with Nick’s kit as he designed it for CA... where I’m pretty sure he resides.
 

Napalm00

Technical Excellence Contributor
you won't just be able to upgrade to the 2.8. you will have to get the swamp then b a r certified. It's definitely not as easy as the guys of g&k you're making it seem. Also the 2.8 is not expected to achieve California compliance via back channels.


Tldr once you get legal then you subject to all the laws of any other vehicle in California to swap an engine. Can't just put whatever you want in after you get legal and the 2.8 is probably not going to end up legal
 

Napalm00

Technical Excellence Contributor
Talk to Nick. He makes a smog ready kit for his LS swap. You can do those without issue in CA. It requires more parts. I wouldn’t recommend attempting a diesel swap here in CA. Smog is annoying. You’ll likely be able to pass the check with anything that has OBDII and all components, but could easily fail for the visual portion. I’d go with Nick’s kit as he designed it for CA... where I’m pretty sure he resides.
Nick is posted in this thread and in the tread over a desource he has not been able to get his trucks through a BAR swap certification.
 

Napalm00

Technical Excellence Contributor
Also just to be clear getting BAR certification aka going to the referee is not an easy task
 

mgreenspan

Founding Member
Nick is posted in this thread and in the tread over a desource he has not been able to get his trucks through a BAR swap certification.
Word. Good to know. I hate CA with respect to SMOG. I’ve been able to register all my vehicles in a Texas still since I’ve been here. Traded a JGC for a CA registered Toyota Cylon. Went to smog before selling and there was stupid air intake without the sticker. Huge pain in the ass. Sold it for less than value as operating non op.
 

Napalm00

Technical Excellence Contributor
It's a shit show for sure. @Robbiekb the last line of the Cummins info tells alot. If it's been registered as a diesel you can put it in. Assuming it had a registration to begin with. Since you get a certified registration which attaches to your VIN it's not the same and you can't just swap a motor.The motor and it's configuration is then tied to the truck
 
Top