3.4L Engine Swap - Smog Legal In Ca?

[Lightning MO]

Contemplating a 3.4L swap for my '01S. Anyone done it in California and managed to still keep it smog legal? (Any details would be appreciated).

[Loren]

If you use the right DME and cats - then it should work just like any other 3.4 liter.

[Lightning MO]

I am thinking about putting a '00-'01 DME ME7.2 VarioCam 3.4l engine in an '01 Boxster S (which is also a DME ME7.2 VarioCam engine) and retaining the Boxster's ECU (either with or without a re-flash). Can have any combination of stock or aftermarket Boxster cats (up to the full 4 cats it came with).

Any guys out there who have tried this WITHOUT re-flashing the ECU? If that didn't work, what ECU shops have a program that doesn't require a MAF piggy-back box?

[Elucidus]

Technically, in CA you can only replace your engine and its components with CARB approved or OEM replacement parts.

HOWEVER, you can also do an engine swap with any motor newer than yours, you have to replicate the configuration of the original motor and have it tested by a ref with the state BAR. (bureau of automotive repair) (It may work for same year as well, but I can't remember off the top of my head and I don't want to misdirect you.)

IE, you could stick a 2004 GT3 engine in there, as long as the emissions systems were replicated on the 01 Boxster, you'd be fine.

However, you can't stick a 1999 911 engine into a 2001 Boxster.

[Loren]

Technically, in CA you can only replace your engine and its components with CARB approved or OEM replacement parts.

HOWEVER, you can also do an engine swap with any motor newer than yours, you have to replicate the configuration of the original motor and have it tested by a ref with the state BAR. (bureau of automotive repair) (It may work for same year as well, but I can't remember off the top of my head and I don't want to misdirect you.)

IE, you could stick a 2004 GT3 engine in there, as long as the emissions systems were replicated on the 01 Boxster, you'd be fine.

However, you can't stick a 1999 911 engine into a 2001 Boxster.

Um... the same 3.4 liter engine is used in the Cayman.

[Elucidus]

Um... the same 3.4 liter engine is used in the Cayman.

Your point?

Via our smog laws, it's not legal to just jam the 3.4 in there. A 2.7L block is different than the 3.4L block in casting number, no? And if one were to run the casting numbers, they would discover that the 3.4 is not a direct replacement for the 2.7.

Of course, all of this depends on whether or not the guy is going to lift the Boxster off the ground, read the casting numbers, run the casting numbers and find out they're not legal, and actually choose not to pass you on that.

As I'm sure you know, there's a difference between being smog legal and passing the smog check.

[catmanluge]

I glad I don't live in CA any longer...