California Smog-legal Bronco Upgrades

[151fab]

I have a '94 Bronco with the 5.8L in it. I had a 5.o mustang that I built up until one day it no longer passed smog. So I "de-tuned" it back to it's passing level but by then I'd upset the gods and it never passed smog again. With the Bronco I've got speed density to deal with so I'm starting even further back from where the 5.0 was. I know alot of you guys are prerunning with broncos that are far from stock powered. If any of you are California registering your vehicals what tricks are you using. I'm debating building a second engine to swap for smog tests but thats a hell of alot of work every two years. Also the gears and electrical wiring wouldn't work with both the MAF hot-rod engine and the stock speed dense motor. Supercharging the stock motor requires a MAF swap and I'm afraid that'll upset the gods and I'll never pass again. Arazona registration isn't an option because I don't own property there? So whats the tricks you all are using. PM me if you are worried about posting "semi-legal" solutions. Thanks, Todd

[SimonSays]

I have a '94 Bronco with the 5.8L in it. I had a 5.o mustang that I built up until one day it no longer passed smog. So I "de-tuned" it back to it's passing level but by then I'd upset the gods and it never passed smog again. With the Bronco I've got speed density to deal with so I'm starting even further back from where the 5.0 was. I know alot of you guys are prerunning with broncos that are far from stock powered. If any of you are California registering your vehicals what tricks are you using. I'm debating building a second engine to swap for smog tests but thats a hell of alot of work every two years. Also the gears and electrical wiring wouldn't work with both the MAF hot-rod engine and the stock speed dense motor. Supercharging the stock motor requires a MAF swap and I'm afraid that'll upset the gods and I'll never pass again. Arazona registration isn't an option because I don't own property there? So whats the tricks you all are using. PM me if you are worried about posting "semi-legal" solutions. Thanks, Todd

I have a built 5.0 in my Ranger, registered in cali. you just need to know the right people and pay a $150 smog check anything will pass. Just remember that all engine mod were done 'after it passed smog' (keeps the smog shop from getting in trouble)

[steveG]

How much power do you want to make? There are a ton of bolt-on smog legal parts for that engine. Unless you use a super-radical cam it should pass fine as long as it's working properly.

[151fab]

I've heard of smog test troubles after just swapping the speed density for MAF. The headers are already done, the MAF swap would come next, then the intake, cam, etc. I'm sure I can squeeze 350hp out of it before it fails. I was just looking for some real-world combos or cheats. I'd hate to go through all the trouble of building a smog legal engine that performs just o.k. and then constantly worry about passing smog just for a lousy 300hp or so. Just because the package says it's smog legal doesn't mean it'll pass the sniffer... Is anyone running a centrifical super charger kit or a nice set of heads/cam and still passing smog? I'm going to post this question over on FSB also and I'll relay any info I get there also.

[steveG]

350 HP should be relatively easy with smog legal parts. It's certainly easier than building 2 engines, storing one and swapping them as needed.

There's no reason for a mass air conversion to negatively affect your smog test. All you're doing is converting to a later model system.

You're going to need to replace the heads to really let your engine breath. The best advise I can give is make sure all the parts that a smog tech can inspect are smog legal (stock or C.A.R.B approved with the numbers to show it).

"Just because the package says it's smog legal doesn't mean it'll pass the sniffer..."

Actually, if it comes with C.A.R.B. numbers, that's exactly what it means. Remember, though, the tests used to pass these assume that the rest of the engine and engine controls are in good working order.

Also keep in mind that just because a part is not C.A.R.B approved, doesn't mean it won't pass smog. I have a friend with a mustang with a 5.0L that produces well over 300 HP running an "X" cam of all things and it has legally passed its smog tests for the past 6 years. Is the X cam smog legal? No. Are smog techs required to inspect camshafts? No.

[151fab]

Steve, my point was that you couldn’t just indiscriminately bolt on any combo of CARB parts and expect to pass smog and I've had similar experiences as your friend with non-CARB parts. I'm just looking for some combos being used in our application that have worked for others. Thanks for your help by the way. I've read all your posts about the Bronco TTB suspension and such... Great stuff. I know you post at FSB too; what do you think of the constant bashing of our fine TTB system by all the on-roaders who want to look like off-roaders. Ten percent of that site are true wheelers who use all of their 44s the rest are sheep who SAS for the bling. I just want to buy all the discarded TTBs and add 2 or 4 inches. TTBs forever!
Todd

[151fab]

Simon, thanks for your reply as well. I haven't come across a contact like that yet but I'm always looking. A friend in the industry (smog tester) here in Cali. is worth thier weight in gold.
Todd

[SimonSays]

Simon, thanks for your reply as well. I haven't come across a contact like that yet but I'm always looking. A friend in the industry (smog tester) here in Cali. is worth thier weight in gold.
Todd

I know The guy I used 2 years ago got shut down and my prerunner came up for smog in Nov. I had to Non op. it till i can find someone to do it for me.

[BajaBronco13]

I'm with Simon. One of my neighbors had a connection that somehow made my Bronco w/351 and no smog equipment pass. It was totally worth the $125.00 I paid. Unfortunately, my neighbor has lost touch with that guy and now I need another certificate. Though I have to admit, showing up the the dmv to pick up your tags is pretty nerve wracking.

I once saw this old timer try to pass a false proof of insurance card, and watched the CHP escort him to a back office.

[steveG]

When you need it a crooked smog is well worth whatever you have to pay for it, but wouldn't it be easier to do some extra work during the build-up and be able to smog it anywhere?

[151fab]

I would absolutly agree with you Steve, but if after all the work it just doesn't pass it would be great to have a plan 'B' to fall back on. At the very least it buys you another two years to retune or rebuild. Either way I don't know anyone with the contacts needed so it's back to dealing with the speed density system or doing the swap to MAF. There's a guy on FSB who is building great HP numbers using both efi systems. He has a website dedicated to Ford efi.: www.fordfuelinjection.com lots of info there.

[SimonSays]

When you need it a crooked smog is well worth whatever you have to pay for it, but wouldn't it be easier to do some extra work during the build-up and be able to smog it anywhere?

I would have loved to get my truck to pass, I did all that i could but the smog pump had to be removed to get the motor low enough in my frame, my EGR sensor had to be removed for my coilovers and because i am 4wd i had to make custom headers that went around the frame with no cross over pipe. Plus there is no way i am going to use a stock 1995 mustang air cleaner on my prerunner. My truck will pass everything except that part about having an egr sensor, catalaic converters, a smog pump, and smog leagal headers, it passes the sniffer test and the computer test,just won't pass the visual.
P.s. even if you get the motor to pass then you have other problems like you can't have fuel cells, race harnesses(not Dot approved seat belts), the spool in the rear. If you take it to a smog shop and somehow have everything right they are still going to send you to the smog ref. for not having the 'original motor'. Once you have to go to a smog ref, your vehicle is tagged as a gross polluter forever and you will always have to go to the ref. for your smog checks. For me i would rather go to a smog guy every 2 years and pay the money then have to register my truck as a 'special construction' vehicle and have to pass 1995 smog requirements every year

[steveG]

P.s. even if you get the motor to pass then you have other problems like you can't have fuel cells, race harnesses(not Dot approved seat belts), the spool in the rear. If you take it to a smog shop and somehow have everything right they are still going to send you to the smog ref. for not having the 'original motor'. Once you have to go to a smog ref, your vehicle is tagged as a gross polluter forever and you will always have to go to the ref. for your smog checks. For me i would rather go to a smog guy every 2 years and pay the money then have to register my truck as a 'special construction' vehicle and have to pass 1995 smog requirements every year

That's not really true. The shop I work at has (legally) smogged plenty of engine-swap vehicles. I've never heard of vehicles being lifetime "gross polluters" after going to the ref. A shop down the road from us does engine conversions and EFI conversions and they take them to the ref regularly for certification. We did a late model engine swap on an El Camino and took it to the ref ourselves and had a really good experience. That car has been smogged 2 or three times since then, once at another shop (not a test-only shop) with no difficulties.

As far as fuel cells, seat belts and spools, none of those are part of a smog inspection in CA.

[Chris_Wilson]

They test my OEM gas cap to make sure it does not vent to the atmosphere. It may be ok to have a fuel cell as long as the filler neck/cap are stock but I'd ask the smog ref.

Also, you guys might want to think twice before posting about breaking the law with smog cheats on a public forum! It's almost as bad as writting it down, signing it and sending it to the DMV/CHP.

[steveG]

Also, you guys might want to think twice before posting about breaking the law with smog cheats on a public forum! It's almost as bad as writting it down, signing it and sending it to the DMV/CHP.

Not to mention the shop you're possibly condemning.

[SimonSays]

That's not really true. The shop I work at has (legally) smogged plenty of engine-swap vehicles. I've never heard of vehicles being lifetime "gross polluters" after going to the ref. A shop down the road from us does engine conversions and EFI conversions and they take them to the ref regularly for certification. We did a late model engine swap on an El Camino and took it to the ref ourselves and had a really good experience. That car has been smogged 2 or three times since then, once at another shop (not a test-only shop) with no difficulties.

As far as fuel cells, seat belts and spools, none of those are part of a smog inspection in CA.

My friend had a 2.9 ranger that was converted to a 4.0 he has to get his truck smogged yearly not every 2years like normal, plus he can't take it to a normal smog shop he has to go to the ref every time, they always complain about his cell(that has a stock cap) he has to put a stock gas tank in it, and the stock aircleaner. They told him that on all engine swaps they have to come in yearly to verify. Thats just what they told us, maybe he didn't like us and just is doing it to make us mad. For my ranger i am not going to risk it.

[jeff]

Yeah, I got put in my place, and rightfully so, a few weeks ago by a RDC poster that is also a SD Sheriff. His advice is now my advice, don't offer advice on this subject in public. Tampering or skating around Federal Smog Law is not a wise thing to do. I'd suggest the interested parties consider the use of the more private "PRIVATE MESSAGE" system RDC offers free of charge ;)

Aloha

[151fab]

All the talk about illegal smogs is just hypothetical anyway because the shops get shut down so fast that there's no repeat customers. Illegal smogging has gone the way of urban legends. A friend of a friend got his blown big block pinto smogged by a guy his other friend met at a Bee Gees concert in the early eighties but he shop has since been shut down because when the cops came to inspect the remains of a blown-up meth lab next door they stumbled upon the chop shop behind him and those guys gave him up in a deal with the police... type thing.

[steveG]

Good advise Jeff.

Ultimately, it's a lot easier in general to make the thing fully compliant and not have to worry about it.

[Firefighter26]

Ok now I have a question, I know that you can gain some good power from changing out the stock heads and cam out for some aftermarket ones but what about the crank, connection rods, and pistion? , would that affect the smogg or would it be ok as long as the motor creates the same amount of vaccuum and you don't over do it on the compression? I am in the same boat of trying to build some smog legal power with the fact that I live in CA although I really hope to move to the AZ in the near future.

[amr126]

changing the rotating assembly will not affect your smog. As far as changing heads and cam you just need to make sure they are c.a.r.b. certified. My brother's truck is happily laying down 440 at the rear tires on all stock bottem end and pistons safely. Going fairly big on power doesn't require you to throw away hope of passing smog.

[charlie_brown]

(My friend had a 2.9 ranger that was converted to a 4.0 he has to get his truck smogged yearly not every 2years like normal,)

wow, does anybody else on this baord have to do this too. i have the 2.9 and i am looking into the 4.0 swap thing.

[Ramsey_ElWardani]

There are many places in California where a biannual smog inspection are not required. I save hundreds of dollars a year and lots of hassle by registering everything I own in just such a place. This is the best solution.

[Firefighter26]

Wow How the hell is you brother making 440hp?? Dude please give me a list of parts that your brothing has is his motor, I think that I would be happy with 400 or a little over that.

[amr126]

good ol' supercharger is responsible for most the power. He has a vortech y trim with a powerstroke intercooler. The motor mods consist of AFR 185 heads, extrude honed lower gt 40 intake, fords mass a conversion kit (he bought it before they stopped production of it), and a pair of shorty headers along with full exhaust (which is a measley power robbing 2 inches) all the internals are bone stock (cam, rotating assembly etc.)

[Firefighter26]

Kool thank you bro that is really good to know