I live in Az with some of the most retarded emissions regulations. I am interested in building a third gen camaro with an LS1 swap. I have some questions for people that have emissioned an LS1 NOT in a fourth gen. I know the LS1 has the OBD-II but a third gen does not, so they are going to have to sniff test the car and open the hood. Are they going to flag me when they notice that thats not the original engine? Will an LS1 pass a sniff test? I have a '69 Camaro with a ZZ4 crate engine and that thing takes extensive and delicate tuning to pass emissions, and I dont want to have 2 cars with problems. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Adam

 

Look up the regulations that Az has regarding installing newer engines in to older vehicles. Here in Ca you must have a cetification sticker approved by a state inspector. He will grant you a new bar code for emission testing staing the engine is not the original, but has passed inspection. All parts used in the swap must be OE compliant and/or have an emissions compliant label for you state (ie: in CA it must have a CARB EO#) to pass. The LS1 is more smog friendly that a 3rd gen camaro engine (either carb, TBI or TPI).

 

Excellent!! Thanks a lot. I didnt know I could be granted the ability to "legally" put a different engine in a car. I will try and find some info on engine swaps and hopefully be able to proceed with my plans! Thanks again!
Adam

 

As for az you can put an engine from the same year or newer and still be smog legal ( how the bright people who do the smog testing know this, well if you dont tell em they wont care).

As for emisions you would have to keep the same standards as factory. IE evap, egr, air injection, ect. Also the #'s for the exhaust content should stay the same for the year of car you put the motor into. With cats and a small cam you should be fine with any LSX you chose.

Eric