I have an '81 Camaro Z28 with a rebuilt LT1 and transmission. When I bought the car years ago, there was no smog equipment on the car. I used to be able to get passed the smog with the help from a friend. I'd really like to get legal so I won't have any problems with trying to get registered so I can drive my ride again. Can anyone give me some help with options? What equipment would I need or would it be easier to have a complete smog legal engine installed? Thank you for any help you can give....

 

Do you mean an LT1 from a 4th Gen, as opposed to the LT-1 used in the 70-72 Camaro?

The LT1 originally had a monolithic cat (no intermediate AIR injection), EGR, AIR, EVAP and a closed positive crankcase ventilation system. 93-95 cars had a single cat (except auto trans California 95 cars); 95 CA auto trans and all 96-97 models had dual cats.

Where are you located? How rigid is the visual emissions check? Do you have a dyno tailpipe check?

 

Thanks for your reply Injuneer. I will check the numbers and get back to you. I looked up numbers years ago and I think it came back as a 70's block. Let me check it out.

 

I am located in the SF bay area.

 

You would know if its an "LT1".... note no hyphen. That identifies the Gen 2 SBC, with electronic fuel injection and the iconic Optispark distributor on the front of the engine under the water pump. The 1970-73(?) engine was the original (Gen 1) SBC and was designated as an "LT-1" and was part of the Z28 performance package.

If it's the earlier engine, and you are in CA, you would need the specific version for CA emissions, if it was different that the 49-state version. Given the limited number of 2nd Gen owners on the site these days, it might take a while to get a good response.