Date:         Tue, 26 Jan 1999 22:49:59 -0800
Reply-To:     Doug Jones <duge4wd@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Doug Jones <duge4wd@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Subject:      Re: Legal swaps Was: Re: Audi 5 Cyl Swap: Alert! Possible Trouble

>> From:    Gary Shea <>
>>
>> It's actually a bit more complicated than Mark suggests, unfortunately.
>> I recently talked to a smog guy here in Utah state gov't, who informed me
>> that federal law requires that the engine not only be of the same or
newer
>> vintage, but must also have been available as standard equipment for
>> the vehicle that year or in later years in the US.  Thus the 5 cylinder
>> Audi CANNOT satisfy federal reg's, as I understand them.  My
>> understanding is that the underlying rule is that engine/vehicle combo
>> must already have been certified by the gov't as passing smog tests,
>> and of course that implies the above restrictions.

To the best of my knowledge, this is not always the case.

This is not a cause for panic, unless you live in Utah (or a "Utah-like"
state). State requirements for meeting certain aspects of the federal
emissions laws are open to interpretation by said state. Which is why in NJ,
all cars of all years are emissions tested(if I remember correctly), when in
MD (and some other states) you are exempt after 20 or 25 years. It may be
like state enforced speed limits; The state's choice may effect certain
types of federal funding. The problem, I believe may lie more with the fact
that there is no record of a five-cylinder VW Vanagon. Most, if not all,
states have computerized databases of vehicle/engine combos used during the
testing process; Much like your local Pep Boys or other FLAPS. So they ask
if you have the 4 or 6 or 8 (or 10 or 12!!!) cylinder engine when inputting
data for the emissions test. If no engine of that type exists for your model
they have a problem. (The fact that your swapped engine might pass the test
is apparently not of importance!) It's a question of priorities; They like
the system the way it is, and don't want to change it. So, you can only have
the engines listed in the system. Many states perpetuate the idea of the
'hotrodder', someone who messes with a good vehicle for evil purposes; An
absolute danger to the public. Face it, most state reps, and senators drive
luxo-boats and have someone else change their plugs and oil [usually a
lobbyist ;-) ] .

Unless something has radically changed nation-wide during the past six
months...........
The restrictions on engine replacement is readily available information, and
it varies FROM STATE TO STATE. What you were told is (or MAY be) Utah's
interpretation of the law. Every year Hot Rod magazine publishes the
restrictions for engine replacement, state by state. They differ greatly.
Some states allow anything that passes the emission restrictions, others
only allow unrestricted engine replacement to vehicles built prior to 1985
or so, and others allow only engine combos available for your chassis year,
period. Apparently, Utah sucks in this department. There are phone numbers
and web pages for this info, when I find the reference, I post it.

Bottomline: Check with YOUR STATE. And understand that owning vehicles made
after, say, 1975-1980 means emission equipment, and lots of it. Many states
are very picky about you even touching it; They could care less about your
actual NO or CO readings. Any alteration of factory emissions equipment is a
capital crime, that probably has more to do with this problem. Not
necessarily bad laws, just badly worded laws.

Remain calm. All is well.
DougJ