i believe it was 74 when all the emisions laws began. i found a 77 camaro that i might like to restore, but the 305 in it needs to be replaced. so i was thinking about putting in a 98-99 ls1 engine with the 4l60e, but what is the emissions laws on this, can i get this car inspected with that year eninge in it???

 

I would think that a LS1 would put out less emisions then the old small block it has in it now. Plus it would most likely only have to pass emissions standards for 77.

 

see i got this 77 in bad shape down the street from me and the guy said he sell it for a couple hundred, just to get it out of the drive way, so i thought with some money i could restore it, save another camaro from the junk yard, not my favorite year, but would be pretty bad if i could drop a ls1 in there...

 

Actually some Camaros came with smog pumps way back in 1967.

 

I would expect that it would pass inspection, but a car worth $200 is not a good foundation for an engine/tranny combo worth $2000.

 

i would say its worth more than 200, but i am bestfriends with his nephew and he wants to get rid of the car, its been sitting in the drive way for the past 10 years, so thats why hes giving it away so cheap to me. its not my favorite year, but i would hate to see it go to the junk yard and be crushed, the car has alot of potential. i just thought it would be cool to have an ls1 engine in an older vehicle, the 305 thats in it could be rebuilt, but i want something a little bigger and fuel injected. plus 2000 to 3000 for and ls1 and 4l60e isnt bad, i would spend that much on any other crate engine out there. i found some real nice engine tranny combos on ebay for around 3 grand.

 

Why not do what I did with my '77 Z/28 - stuff in a 400 small block with Vortec heads and a decent cam, and go tear up the streets.

Dave

 

That's exactly what I would do Dirt!!

400's=

 

no the ls1 isnt for sure yet, i have thought about other engines. but i have always thought it would be cool to have the ls1 in an older car, plus its a really good engine and i can get a good tranny engine combo for a good price. but the engine will be last on the car, i will restore almost everything else before i decide on engine, but from what i take it, i wont have any emissions/inspection problems with a ls1 in there..

 

First make sure the car is of good condition before doing any swaps. Make sure the body and suspension is in good shape.

If you do decide to do amotor swap, I would bypass the LS1 and get a LT1. Why? The LT1 is a lot cheaper and uses traditional small block motor mounts and measurements. It will basically drop right in and you can use whatever small block tranny you want behind it from a 3 speed th350 or th400 to one of the new overdrive trannies. Even a 4 or 6 speed manual if you are so motivated to hook up the linkage. The LS1 will require a lot more fabrication, time and money.

You can get a LT1 w/ all computer harnesses and auto trans for ~1200 from many junkyards. Add a cam, port the heads, and add headers (any small block header will work) and you can be making 400hp easy and getting over 20mpg on the highway. Hell, on stock heads with just a cam and long tubes you coudl be making 375hp and getting the milage youre after too. Add some nice gears in the back and

I actually plan on putting a LT1 in my 77 in the next few years. Can't wait.

 

In my town, emissions tests are rated against the model year of
the car. No matter what engine you install, it must pass data
for a 77 Camaro.

Some cities require a visual inspection as well. You're safe putting
in a late model engine into an early model Camaro.

It's not as pleasent putting a carbureted engine into a newer
car...the tech may not even allow you to test from rumors I've
heard.

Best to check with your local transportation facility.