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no luck


okietheranger

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Feb 20, 2008
Messages
343
Age
39
City
santa rosa
Vehicle Year
1987
Transmission
Manual
So I'm pretty screwed I live I'n Cali and finished my truck so I took it to a smog referee today funny thing is it passed smog but because i didn't use the mustang H pipe exactly how it was the on mustang it didn't look the same so fail, doesn't matter that it passed. That is such a bullshit law! So I might be looking for another ext stock ranger smog it then switch cabs. Is there another way?
 
That sucks. When I lived in N.C. I had a car that would pass the tailpipe sniffer but not the visual inspection. A buddy told me about a shop that was known to overlook stuff. Worked for me. Might be worth asking around. What's different with the H-pipe?
 
That sucks. When I lived in N.C. I had a car that would pass the tailpipe sniffer but not the visual inspection. A buddy told me about a shop that was known to overlook stuff. Worked for me. Might be worth asking around. What's different with the H-pipe?

nothing is different with the h pipe its only visual it still passed smog,, its a bunch a bs if u ask me if it passes that should all that matters
 
Welkome To Kalifornia. Now bend over. Hate to hear about that but it's completely in character for them to do something like that.
 
Did you install the cats on it?? If you did, visit another up-the-tailpipe inspector and tell em it was from the same year F150, that should get you around the factory H pipe, or install an H pipe on your ranger...
SVT
 
In California with an engine swap he has to go to the referee. Once it passes then they will assign a new emissions sticker. The sticker will tell any smog tech what settings to use when testing.

I would correct the H pipe problem and get a pass. It's disappointing but that's the life we lead in California.

In general the rules are:

1. The donor engine must be the same year or newer than the vehicle it's going in.
2. The donor engine must use all the original emissions (and exhaust) set up as originally installed in the donor vehicle. For the exhaust that's everything forward of the catalytic converter(s). If the exhaust is modified forward of the cats only C.A.R.B. approved parts can be used.
3. Generally you can't swap car engines in to trucks or visa versa. The execption is the trucks or cars can receive engines from cars or trucks in the same weight class.
4. The set up has to pass the inspection at the referee station.
 
In California with an engine swap he has to go to the referee. Once it passes then they will assign a new emissions sticker. The sticker will tell any smog tech what settings to use when testing.

I would correct the H pipe problem and get a pass. It's disappointing but that's the life we lead in California.

In general the rules are:

1. The donor engine must be the same year or newer than the vehicle it's going in.
2. The donor engine must use all the original emissions (and exhaust) set up as originally installed in the donor vehicle. For the exhaust that's everything forward of the catalytic converter(s). If the exhaust is modified forward of the cats only C.A.R.B. approved parts can be used.
3. Generally you can't swap car engines in to trucks or visa versa. The execption is the trucks or cars can receive engines from cars or trucks in the same weight class.
4. The set up has to pass the inspection at the referee station.

correct. its a tuff one, i can understand the headers i had on it, only used headers cause the stock ones wont fit in the frame also if i used the stock ones and cut them to fit well thats modified and wont pass a visual, svt yes i have cats on it 4 of em but its not in its excact location as it was on the mustang set up so thats also a modified i cant not change the exhaust not more than 3" from how it was removed from the mustang, if u used the H pipe it would run right into my transfer case and my shift fork and what not, the plastic hoses that connect to all the emissions stuff broke so i put a coulple rubber pieces in to connect them back and extend them a little so i can mount them on the inner fenders and what not, thats modified, it has a cam! (well i cant see that cam so thats ok) god what a pain in the ass!!! all i can do is either convert back to stock.. not a option so my other option buy or barrow (barrow would be sweet!) another stock ranger put my cab and liceane plates on stock ranger go and smog it, so my vin and is regasterd now then install back on my v-8 ranger frame..
 
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Sounds like you need to make a main plug and keep a spare 87 "stock ranger frame and drivetrain" around to swap every year....This is why I live in a state where we don't have emission testing, or state inspections...We renew our plates by the good ole US postal service!!
SVT
 
Sounds like you need to make a main plug and keep a spare 87 "stock ranger frame and drivetrain" around to swap every year....This is why I live in a state where we don't have emission testing, or state inspections...We renew our plates by the good ole US postal service!!
SVT

Good thing is I only need to smog once only for like transfer of owner ship after I get it I'n my name I dont have to smog it again :-)
 
Might want to invest into buying another ranger with a bad cab if you can find one...Or take apart the drivetrain and install a stock drivetrain for inspection, I know its a pain in the a$$, but in your situation, don't have much choice....
SVT
 
do what a friend of mine did, swap plates on a ranger that looks the same and then swap back afterward.

nah, do it right, you want to redo the pipes
 
do what a friend of mine did, swap plates on a ranger that looks the same and then swap back afterward.

nah, do it right, you want to redo the pipes

That's a good idea what about the vin? No way I'm not gonna do it that way there messed up. It passed smog that should be all that matters
 
You could move to MN where the word "SMOG" is a foreign word.... Kinda cold, but no end in trails! :D
 
You could move to MN where the word "SMOG" is a foreign word.... Kinda cold, but no end in trails! :D

Endless trails would be AWSOME!!!! Yes no smog would be great. I'n not scared of keeping emissions stuff. I would prefer to keep it on I just think it's insane on how strict they are about it. There judging a book by it's cover and it's screwing me. How is your truck by the way iron?
 
Hey just looking for an update on this post i have an 88 ranger that id like to put a 5.0 engine in it and i also live in CA and would like to be able to smog it.

any new news?
 

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