CA: Looking for someone to talk to about BAR approved Engine change/swap process

[TSR85]

Edit: So, as a warning to those in CA, make sure your recipient is the same emission class as your donor, even within the “light duty truck” category.

Done quite a bit of research already, and I have a good idea of everything I will need, but I am looking to talk to someone about the CA BAR engine/swap process to make it legal.

I have a 2000 manual 2.5 2wd coil ranger that I want to swap to a 2000/01 explorer/mountaineer 5.0L”.

I can read, I can search and I generally understand what is required but the questions I have are more... nuanced and I have not found an answer on the the web anywhere.

My questions are around the "change/swap donor" as there was not manual transmission option for 00/01.

• If I show up to the Ref with swap completed with all related smog equipment from the "donor", but with a manual transmission is that going to be an fail automatically? Or am I going to have to make it automatic to get a BAR sticker then swap to manual later.
• If the manual trans is not already an automatic fail, if I show up to the Ref with a manual transmission and all the Auto Trans trouble codes in the ROM permanently disabled, is that an fail even if the OBD readiness monitors for smog check are on(OK).

 

[Eddo Rogue]

One of the guys in my "whats it like to drive a v8 ranger" thread was saying GM makes a CARB legal LS swap kit. I think u can legally go modern 2.3 as well.

 

[TSR85]

I am interested in “cheap and relatively easy”, hence the 00/01 expo 5.0, it is going to be a very junkyard build. From what I understand since it is a very similar chassis it’s about 95-99% plug and play, with all the parts needed outlined in one place or another. I’m working out the ROM edit logistics for Manual, but if my thinking is correct the manual at the time of referee inspection could jeopardize the approval.


I am not interested in any other modern swaps as the wiring is much worse. Since the newer ranger 2.3 is a different motor the effort is basically the same for the 5.0L to get it approved by the BAR. If I do anything I’m gonna make it worth my time, any other normal ranger engine is sell my truck and just buy the other.

The GM E-ROD only applies to 1995 or older (OBD1) cars. So it’s already a no go, and it’s $10k just for the motor package....

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Hmm sounds like you done research and have a plan, and not a bad one at that.

I am interested in how this goes for you.

I did not know LS swap kit was pre '95 only, which is still good news for me, since mines a '93.

Yep LS motors are not cheap, but pretty badass...

 

[Dirtman]

You need to pass the bar exam to do an engine swap in CA? I new there were alot of laws but didn't realize you needed to be a lawyer...

 

[TSR85]

You need to pass the bar exam to do an engine swap in CA? I new there were alot of laws but didn't realize you needed to be a lawyer...

BAR = Bureau of Automotive Repair, they have oversight on engine changes, they are also the people that inspect your car when you get popped for illegal mods.

But, it’s probably easier to pass the law bar exam than the engine change exam

 

[Dirtman]

Anyone feel we would be just fine with only 49 states?

 

[TSR85]

Anyone feel we would be just fine with only 49 states?

There are hassles and inconveniences no matter where anyone decides to live....

Please, I don’t want to derail the thread in discussing the merits of living in a “free state”.

 

[TSR85]

After talking to someone, it seems that one possibility is leave the ROM file intact and wire in resistors to simulate what ever the ECU is looking for from the TCU and hide in the loom as long as the rest of the swap that matters(smog and emissions stuff) is clean and well done they may look past that work around but it varies wildly by inspector.

It is possible the inspector could ask you for to provide an ECU checksum which would tell you instantly if the ecu has been edited, it would tell if a SCT tuner map or openflash map was on there to disable codes like the trans or even PATS.

I will search, but any one have any threads off the top of their head that cover that, it would be a 2000s auto manual conversion with keeping the Auto Ecu.

 

[Shran]

Wiring in resistors to simulate an auto trans was one way to deal with that issue on earlier trucks... an auto ECM would throw codes for missing 3-4 shift solenoid and torque converter lockup solenoid on one of my 4.0 swaps that used a 1994 engine and auto ECM. I never bothered with it and I'm not sure it is even relevant to you with a newer donor.

I read through some of the "engine change garbage guidelines" that the BAR has on their site, some parts stood out to me:

Page 45 "The transmission and evaporative systems will be allowed to remain in the recipient vehicle configuration, but must function appropriately"
Page 48 "ALL supported OBD readiness monitors must be in a ready (complete) condition. Vehicle owners may need to work with the manufacturer, dealer or repair shop with necessary tools and expertise to get potentially difficult monitors to be ready (complete)"
Page 48 "All sensors, switches, and wiring harnesses needed to make the system fully functional must be properly connected"

Based on that it would seem to me that hidden resistors that make the ECM think that the auto trans is still present and not throw a check engine light would satisfy #1 and #2 but #3 probably just depends on the person doing the inspection.

Sure glad I don't have to deal with any of that.

 

[TSR85]

Wiring in resistors to simulate an auto trans was one way to deal with that issue on earlier trucks... an auto ECM would throw codes for missing 3-4 shift solenoid and torque converter lockup solenoid on one of my 4.0 swaps that used a 1994 engine and auto ECM. I never bothered with it and I'm not sure it is even relevant to you with a newer donor.

I read through some of the "engine change garbage guidelines" that the BAR has on their site, some parts stood out to me:

Page 45 "The transmission and evaporative systems will be allowed to remain in the recipient vehicle configuration, but must function appropriately"
Page 48 "ALL supported OBD readiness monitors must be in a ready (complete) condition. Vehicle owners may need to work with the manufacturer, dealer or repair shop with necessary tools and expertise to get potentially difficult monitors to be ready (complete)"
Page 48 "All sensors, switches, and wiring harnesses needed to make the system fully functional must be properly connected"

Based on that it would seem to me that hidden resistors that make the ECM think that the auto trans is still present and not throw a check engine light would satisfy #1 and #2 but #3 probably just depends on the person doing the inspection.

Sure glad I don't have to deal with any of that.

Right, thanks for digging those parts out.

The readiness monitors is a no brained, that is just part of the computer only smog check now.

I interpret this line as deleting codes as ok for the vehicles “transmission to remain”:
Vehicle owners may need to work with the manufacturer, dealer or repair shop with necessary tools and expertise to get potentially difficult monitors to be ready (complete).

Seems I have some digging to do.

 

[Shran]

Seems to me that adding resistors to fool the computer would be a better method - if deleting trans code in the ECM programming is OK, then in theory so should tuning out O2 sensors and stuff... I'd almost rather simply figure out how to fool the ECM and turn it back on the inspector using that line as justification, rather than try and explain why you had to reprogram it.

 

[TSR85]

Although, tuning out the O2 would directly impact emissions performance, the strategy, may not switch from back an forth from open to closed loop.

At this point “resistor fooling”, seems my best chance as it keeps the Calibration Identification (CalID) to the Calibration Verification Number (CVN) intact.

I also spoke to some suby people, it seems like the better the overall cleanliness of the swap the more likely they might over look something like resistor’ing out the transmission.

However, it also seems you don’t really know until you show up for your first ref inspection. So, I could be left with an “illegally swapped” truck and no path to approval .

 

[Ramcharger90]

Why not ask one of the BAR dopes? They want you to copitchulate to their laws. Im sure they are legally required to inform you of these things, Its California after all...

 

[TSR85]

It’s on the list of things todo, however from those I have spoken to when you call you typically only get a office person that schedules inspections and knows very little about the engine change inspection process and technical ticky tacky and nuances. I am just gathering info before interfacing with the state.