Need help

[85TurboDangler]

Need some advice for a build I’ve got from my dad. I live in California and the ranger I’ve got from my dad has 2.3 turbo from a same year thunderbird. I called a referee and was told that is illegal to a new law passed in 2018. So does anyone have advice on what to do? Is there any loopholes I could use to make the truck smog and road legal? It’s been smogged and registered with the same turbo before.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to the forum

Ref should know the new rules, did he have any suggestions?
Changes to make to get a certificate

Check Hotrod sites/forums in Calif. they would have more current info, for "loopholes"

 

[85TurboDangler]

Welcome to the forum

Ref should know the new rules, did he have any suggestions?
Changes to make to get a certificate

Check Hotrod sites/forums in Calif. they would have more current info, for "loopholes"

Only thing he told me was it had to be a swap with a truck in the same weight class. He said since they didn’t have turbos in the 85 ranger I couldn’t have it and the main problem was it was a swap from a car to a truck.

 

[RonD]

Well, whats the rule on adding a turbo to the stock 1985 Ranger 2.3l lima engine, there is no external difference in the 2.3l Limas, that came in a stock 1985 Ranger, and the cars 2.3l Limas, so there would be no way to tell if engine was stock or not

Good read here on differences: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Turbos.shtml

But if the car swap is already documented for the VIN then you probably can't "walk it back"
You could swap in a 1985 or later 2.3l block from a Ranger and put all the turbo stuff in it and on it?
If the weight class is the only stumbling block
And you may only need the receipt for the Ranger 2.3l engine, so no need to actually do the swap

 

[85TurboDangler]

Well, whats the rule on adding a turbo to the stock 1985 Ranger 2.3l lima engine, there is no external difference in the 2.3l Limas, that came in a stock 1985 Ranger, and the cars 2.3l Limas, so there would be no way to tell if engine was stock or not

Good read here on differences: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Turbos.shtml

But if the car swap is already documented for the VIN then you probably can't "walk it back"
You could swap in a 1985 or later 2.3l block from a Ranger and put all the turbo stuff in it and on it?
If the weight class is the only stumbling block
And you may only need the receipt for the Ranger 2.3l engine, so no need to actually do the swap

From what the referee said, the problem is that it’s from a car to a truck, since there wasn’t a turbo gas engine that year, it’s not allowed. I called a smog station and I didn’t mention that it came out of a car and he said it’s depending on whether a sticker on the engine allows it to be in that vehicle class.

 

[bobbywalter]

Yes. That is why federally no "ranger" can legally have a v8. You either need a grey or custom title or you need to go the c.a.r.b./ power adder route .... The engine is the same regardless of class

 

[RonD]

Well the 2.3l Lima engine was used in these North American vehicles

• 1986-1987 Ford Aerostar
• 1977-1982 Ford Courier
• 1974-1980 Ford Pinto
• 1983-1997 Ford Ranger/Mazda B-Series (North America)
• 1974-1993 Ford Mustang
• 1978-1983 Ford Fairmont
• 1974-1980 Mercury Bobcat
• 1979-1986 Mercury Capri
• 1978-1983 Mercury Zephyr
• 1983–1986 Ford LTD
• 1983-1986 Mercury Marquis
• 1985–1989 Merkur XR4Ti
• 1983–1986 Thunderbird
• 1984–1986 Mercury Cougar XR7

The turbo part was just bolted on, engine itself was the same

 

[85TurboDangler]

Yes. That is why federally no "ranger" can legally have a v8. You either need a grey or custom title or you need to go the c.a.r.b./ power adder route .... The engine is the same regardless of class

If you could elaborate on that I would greatly appreciate it. I’ve never heard of those options. I’m not too well versed on Californian laws and I was told that it wasn’t allowed cause of the turbo but now that you guys say it’s just the engine, it makes more sense.

 

[bobbywalter]

C.a.r.b. approved supercharger or turbo kit for the 2.3 is what you want to find e.o. numbers for.

 

[bobbywalter]

Wellllll...shit

California Air Resources Board (CARB) To Ban Turbochargers

The California Air Resources Board announced that as of April 1, 2019, all turbochargers on gasoline engines will be in violation of state emissions laws.

www.offroadxtreme.com

 

[bobbywalter]

Move. Or pull the hairdryer.

 

[bobbywalter]

Don't buy an ecoboost.

 

[85TurboDangler]

Move. Or pull the hairdryer.

Honestly I’m about to move out of this hellhole.

 

[wildbill23c]

Pull the turbo stuff, get it tested, then put it back on LOL.

 

[adsm08]

Pull the turbo stuff, get it tested, then put it back on LOL.

It's less work to move.