I'm just wondering if doing a 3S-GTE swap would be legal in America

yes... use this option.... How to find out

lol if u click on alot of the ppls profiles and look at there performance mods, u will see that a goood amount of the members have done this swap

Check with your state reg.

Some states don't allow older cars with newer engines, or the other way around.

Check with emission laws...

But you should be fine, because Death has a nice one and iirc he is from tx.

This post has been edited by 99GT: Jan 21, 2010 - 10:38 AM

Yes it is legal to swap, but you might not pass emissions if you do a non-US 3SGTE (ST205, ST215, ST185RC, etc) due to the non-existent EGR system.


And in California you can swap if the motor is newer than the car, but again - it has to pass emissions.

Thanks guys

It's probably not legal, but this doesn't stop to many people.

in wisconsin we don't have to worry about emissions if its 95 and younger

OBD I and OBD II may cause problems. 3sgte engines are mainly OBDI. if your cat has OBDII it is illegal. in Pa you can get emissions exemptions by driving less than 3,000 miles a year. if there is a will there is a way... many have found a way!

SEARCH!

For the most part if you drive legally on the road with a 3s-gte and dont get pulled over and let a cop look under the hood nothing will happen. No one is really going to care your car is running 2x + its stock hp boosted... If you are in the red, your car will most likely be improunded with a heafy fine. Can they crush your car? No... unless you live on the east coast or california.

Emissions:
If you have emissions/aircare control in your state your screwed unless you do the following:
Shell out cash under the counter to pass
Use a Stand-alone/Ems on OBDII to pull fuel and timing to hope you pass. (pray they dont try to boost your car lol)
Use an EMS to trick the OBDII reading into false factory readings (i can give u more input on this)

Everything has its risks.

This post has been edited by presure2: Jan 22, 2010 - 6:20 PM

According to any police officer (and yes any police officer) after market modifications are not legal. If you do not believe me swing by a library or police station and inquire on particular modifications. They will whip out a huge book with many rules and regulations and pretty much tell you that you are shi out of luck.

Now... engine rebuild is legal as long as it fits epa guidelines. Engine becomes illegal the second it is modified and hence on every single modification (ie air intake) manufacturers always write. Not for street use or for off road only.
Engine swap is allowed for as long as you replace it with same engine and it has to be documented in your vehicle report.
Engine from another vehicle is not allowed because it was not tested for reliability, crash ratings etc etc etc etc etc with vehicle you are swapping into.

Now. Yes many people have engine modifications and SOME have gathered up funds for a swap. If your state requires you to pass emissions you will fail every time and therefore most engine swapped car owners end up going to local certified mechanics, who for a fee provide you with a sticker regardless of whether your car is legal or not.

More importantly dont piss off police officers. A cop in a bad mood will eat your heart for dinner and eyes for desert.

Edit:
Can they crush your car? Yes and very much yes. Each state chooses what laws govern it. Under some stipulations and or without reason your property may be seized with intend of destruction under such clauses as domestic terrorism, violating importation laws etc etc. If they want to crush your car they will do it and laugh in your face but not before holding it on their parking lot for a few months making you pay a hefty fee for impoundment and facility rentals. In some extreme cases if holding fee exceeds value of your vehicle you can sign a release form and forfeit rights to the car. At that point car will likely be sold at a police auction.

This post has been edited by presure2: Jan 22, 2010 - 6:20 PM

thread cleaned.
instead of bickering, and complaining about certain peoples posts, everyone needs to use the report this post button.
that is what it is there for.