Just found out from an emissions inspector in Tucson, AZ that "According to Federal EPA regulations, it is illegal to take an engine from one manufacturer and place it in a vehicle of another manufacturer, example - installing a Chevrolet or Ford engine in a Volvo or Jaguar, etc. That would be considered to be an illegal engine swap. The engine should be the same year or newer year engine for that specific frame and duty vehicle. Next, according to EPA regs, all 1993 and newer vehicles must have the engine replaced with an identical engine that it came with originally from the manufacturer and certified for sale in the US."

I posed the question because of wanting to do an engine swap such as Converse and others make possible. Wonder if they know they're breaking a Federal regulation?

Just letting you all know of possible problems. Converse says on their web page something like: Seattle has the only known rules against engine swaps. You are now, unfortunately, better informed.

Disappointing to say the least, and definitely puts a crimp in my plans.

Let me state that I do know the rules. It is my job, I work for the EPA.

Important information on engine switching is that engine or engine chases designs are "certified" (approved) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This "certified configuration" involves all emission related parts and drive train components for that particular model and model year. When making an engine switch, you must make sure that the switch results in a vehicle with a certified configuration of the same or newer model year as the vehicle chassis. An "identical" engine switch, with reconnection of all emission related parts, is the simplest situation and should be acceptable. If you are attempting to put an engine of one vehicle manufacturer into a vehicle by another manufacturer, it is generally not possible to obtain a certified configuration, without a great deal of work (i.e., potentially replacing the engine and all it's components, transmission, drive axles, exhaust system, etc.) and accompanying expense. If one wishes to replace a gasoline engine with a diesel engine, or vice versa, the vehicle chassis in question must be certified with both engine types. Then, if the exchange is one with an approved configuration of the same or newer model year, with all components properly installed and connected, the switch should be legal. For all cases, the appropriate source for technical information regarding the certified configuration of a vehicle of a particular model year is the vehicle manufacturer.

You can find out anything you need to know at:
http://www.epa.gov/Compliance/resources/policies/civil/caa/mobile/engswitch.pdf

By the way, gutting your catalytic converter is also illegal.

As an officer I can't find anything that remotly resembles what is stated above with respect to EPA regulations. I believe the guy is making up the rules as he goes to maybe fit into his personal views or points who knows. It is however illegal to remove or render inoperative any pollution control device that was spec'd for a paticular engine, example plugging the EGR valve from the bottom with a Dorman cup plug so it passes a visual inspection OR adding a 4bbl intake to an engine that was only spec'd with a 2bbl wheezer. Also it is illegal to install a dual exhaust system even with cats on a single exhaust car that had no provision or option for dual exhaust.

Pollution control laws on the federal level are almost never enforced on passenger type vehicles, they are on the books to discourage "mass alterations" of vehicles used in fleets ect. State and local laws however do carry some teeth and are almost universally based on existing federal laws. I can't find any pollution based case that bears any type of federal prosecution regarding privatly owned passenger vehicles.



I would go ahead with the swap but retain all the control devices and cats that came with the motor, might not be a bad idea to keep the title or other identification documents for the donor vehicle to prove that "yes this was a 1988 motor and it meets 1988 pollution guidelines and retains all the equipment" that way your behind is covered.


Badge988

I think the Arizona guy has it wrong. Specific rules like that are usually a State - not Federal - prerogative...if so, EPA has no jurisdiction. California has some of the tightest emissions controls and rules on the planet but they DO allow certain engine swaps. See the guidelines at:

http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/StdPage.asp?Body=/geninfo/publications/Engine_Change_Guidelines-Jan_1994.htm
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Bob (81-244GL B21F, 83-244DL B23F, 94-944 B230FD)

FYI.

Engine switching rules are Federal. The EPA does have jurisdiction. California can have stricter rules than Federal pertaining to new car engine emissions requirements, and other States can adopt California rules, with EPA approval.

If guilty of engine switching tampering with emissions controls. The shop that does the work can be held responsible for fines of more than $30,000, and the private individual to potentially more than $6,000. Volvo can tell you if the configuration will substitute.

I have been woefully disappointed with some of the morons at our local emissions testing centers. I think some of them were rejects from the local Taco Bell. And I strongly suspect they couldn't tell the difference between a Ford 5.0 and an Evinrude outboard motor.

What I'm saying is, it could be right... but unless you are positive about this, you might have NOT informed anyone "better". This is the kind of hype that was makign people run around telling everyone that Freon 12 was "ILLEGAL" (add exclamation points for the emphatic way in which so many people were told that).

Someone needs to check up on this factually, with documentation. When I see the written word, I'm more inclined to believe it. It could be totally legitimate, but I've never seen that printed on any state emissions website, or pamphlet, or pretty much anywhere for that matter.

Additionally, I'm sure most people (especially people who don't live in areas with emissions inspections) could care less.
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Chris Herbst, near Chicago.

I will agree that the Illinois emissions people are trained to do their job... anything else they say can't be taken as valid about 99.99999% of the time... and they NEVER look under the hood either... ALSO, you would probably have more trouble with states that do INSPECTIONS, where they actually look under the hood, etc...

I passed the emission test without a converter a few years back aswell (before it was the IM240 test)

Cliff Scott
89 DOHC740

I'm not trying to be nasty in the above post in any way. I'm just wondering about the validity of what you were told, that's all. The local emissions people leave me scratching my head sometimes.
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Chris Herbst, near Chicago.

From what I have always understood is that it is fine to swap motors as long as the motor is of the same year or newer. Second all polution control systems must be installed that were suppose to be on that motor including the cat.
So if you decide to swap a 94 Ford 302ci into your 1988 Volvo it is legal as long as the pollution equipent that came on and met Federal EPA standards on the 302 in 1994 is also installed with the motor.

My 5.0 conversion passed emissions in IL. It was still a bad idea, unbalanced gas-hog that it was.

sorry to burst your bubble but we don't have much of that problem in florida we have no emissions testing so it makes no difference as know one knows about the swap