Motor swap and smog

[Damian]

What all do I have to do to get a 98 Jeep to pass smog with a 98 Vortec 5.7? I have everything lined up for the engine, with trans and wiring harness and everything. Before I do it, want to make sure it can be easily smogged.

[Vettezuki]

What all do I have to do to get a 98 Jeep to pass smog with a 98 Vortec 5.7? I have everything lined up for the engine, with trans and wiring harness and everything. Before I do it, want to make sure it can be easily smogged.

My spidey sense says that's gonna be tough one in CA. You'll have to declare a certain make/model/year where the year is same or later and the engine class is appropriate to the vehicle. So, what would you call it? A Sierra? Not sure that would fly with the referee for the swap. And if it did (because there were V8s in Wranglers AIR in 98+) with the Vortec it would have to be that vehicle for all intents and purposes. That means GM ECU, Evap(!!), etc.

Oh yeah, you can't just show up to a smog place with an engine swap. You have to have it refereed by a certified inspector, who typically are about 10x more strict than your average smog tech. IF you have a hardon for a V8 in your 98 wrangler, check to see if there was a Dodge V8 in wrangler of the same or later year, then just call it a model year X wrangler with a V8 to the ref. This probably wouldn't be that difficult as long as you cross your ts and dot your is with the install.

As you know, I've done a refereed swap. It's non-trivial. kdracer73 might have more input on how, if it's possible, to get a Vortec V8 to fly in a 98 Jeep, but I'd default to recommending a V8 from a 98+ Wrangler and calling it that.

There is a referee at Fullerton College. That's where I did the Vette. He works in the Auto Shop. Or least that's how it was when I did it about 5 years ago or whenever it was. I would recommend this regardless of which swap direction you choose to go, THEN schedule the ref session with THAT referee so he has an idea of what you're up to. I did this with the Vette and I think it helped. He still sent me away the first time on some very pedantic small things.

[blackax]

My spidey sense says that's gonna be tough one in CA. You'll have to declare a certain make/model/year where the year is same or later and the engine class is appropriate to the vehicle. So, what would you call it? A Sierra? Not sure that would fly with the referee for the swap. And if it did (because there were V8s in Wranglers AIR in 98+) with the Vortec it would have to be that vehicle for all intents and purposes. That means GM ECU, Evap(!!), etc.

Oh yeah, you can't just show up to a smog place with an engine swap. You have to have it refereed by a certified inspector, who typically are about 10x more strict than your average smog tech. IF you have a hardon for a V8 in your 98 wrangler, check to see if there was a Dodge V8 in wrangler of the same or later year, then just call it a model year X wrangler with a V8 to the ref. This probably wouldn't be that difficult as long as you cross your ts and dot your is with the install.

As you know, I've done a refereed swap. It's non-trivial. kdracer73 might have more input on how, if it's possible, to get a Vortec V8 to fly in a 98 Jeep, but I'd default to recommending a V8 from a 98+ Wrangler and calling it that.

There is a referee at Fullerton College. That's where I did the Vette. He works in the Auto Shop. Or least that's how it was when I did it about 5 years ago or whenever it was. I would recommend this regardless of which swap direction you choose to go, THEN schedule the ref session with THAT referee so he has an idea of what you're up to. I did this with the Vette and I think it helped. He still sent me away the first time on some very pedantic small things.

A Jeep wrangler was sold as a light truck. So ANY light truck motor from 1998 and newer will work (truck under 12,000 in cal are called light trucks). You will need all the smog that was stock for the Truck you are turning the jeep into.

[Vettezuki]

A Jeep wrangler was sold as a light truck. So ANY light truck motor from 1998 and newer will work (truck under 12,000 in cal are called light trucks). You will need all the smog that was stock for the Truck you are turning the jeep into.

And the ECU, etc. When they hook up ODBII, It's gotta look and respond like X.

I'd be more interested personally in the V6 Benz diesel from the Cherokee for my Wrangler, but it's gonna have to wait.

[Shaolin Crane]

I know plenty of people who have done swaps and the tech never noticed, but I wouldn't count on you being that lucky

[Vettezuki]

If you want to do a legal swap you have to go to a ref, and they're WAY pickier than a tech. Both refs and techs are getting pickier all the time as they have been getting cracked down on, especially techs. The Wild West days are about over for the most part. It's really nothing like it was even 5 years ago. Now, ironically, if the state goes to an ODBII only test, then all sorts of trickery may become available.

[Shaolin Crane]

I know 2 people who swapped in diesels to their gas trucks and the tech did the appropriate diesel test and let it ride. Again, not common but it still happens.

[Damian]

My buddy finally confessed to the parts being from his newly acquired Suburbun. It's fully functional and obviously has everything. He just wants a Durango really bad.

The Wrangler, as far as I know, never came with a V8, only the 4.0 I6. The Cherokees came with the 5.2 though.

[blackax]

I'm always down to put V8 in stuff but i'm not sure you will gain all that much. The jeep I6 isnt that bad and for the money that you would spend on doing the swap you can build a bad ass I6.

Some things to think about... What trans are you gonna use? Are you gonna try and keep 4wd? What transfer case? How long is the motor/trans/transfercase? (I bet much longer then the stock jeep)

[Damian]

I'd be using the 4L60E with the 5.7. My brother has a 305 or 350 with a 700r4 and works good for him, but he lives in NE. I'd use the stock xfer case because it's the same one as what's in the Durango, so it can handle the power.

I was given a price of $1800 obo for the whole thing.

[94cobra69ss396]

That's just to get the donor vehicle. You are going to have a lot more into it than that. I have about $2000 into the Explorer V8 swap and I didn't pay anything for the donor. Just to have the driveshafts done cost me $650 using the old ones.

[C5Natie]

I wouldnt say anything and just take it to smog. If all the smog equipment is there and it passes the sniffer I dont see a big issue. Most places will just pass it. Im not sure if they check ecu vins on pre 2001 vehicles.

[Damian]

I think I'm just gonna rebuild the 2.5 and be happy. It needs to be bored out, might just open it enough to fit a GM 4" piston, and throw some nitrous at it when I need some extra power. Zex makes some pretty good kits that monitor a/f ratio when in use.