Fuel injection & CA emission laws - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*MJF* · 01-22-2004, 06:45 PM

I have an 83 4X4 truck that currently won't pass Ca emissions due to aftermarket carb & intake & all of the hoses being disconnected from the emission parts.

I would like to add fuel injection to it. Maybe an Edelbrock multi point system but they all say they are not legal for use on pollution controlled vehicles.

Is it possible to add aftermarket FI & still meet CA emission requirements? I want FI, but at some point I will have to return my truck to smog legal.

It seems to me FI is superior to a carb in every way, including emissions output so I don't see why it wouldn't be allowed if all the applicable smog equipment is hooked up.

Tom · 01-22-2004, 08:37 PM

As long as all required emission stuff is hooked up and running then your fine. They failed my truck because it didn't have a float bowl vent. Trip to friends house, 30min and one carb top plate swapped out and I was passing emissions again.

clipity · 01-22-2004, 09:57 PM

My undestanding if you use a engine that is newer than the year of the vehicle it will be legal as long as all smog cr@p is there.I would find a TBI motor and swap it in. Their isnt as much smog to deal with on it or find 50 State legal parts.My dad built a 24 T and used a 64 283 only smog he had to have was a pvc valve.

apstguy · 01-22-2004, 10:37 PM

From what I understand, you can have a newer engine in but it must be from a vehicle that has to pass smog. Edlebrock is not FROM a vehicle so it didn't have to pass any laws or specifications.

Chevy67Tk · 01-22-2004, 11:20 PM

I don’t know about CA laws but in parts of PA you cant mention aftermarket and emissions inspection in the same sentence. They are say now any vehicle 75 or newer has to have all emissions equipment attached as it had when it left the factory.

*MJF* · 01-23-2004, 11:47 AM

Thanks for the replies. I guess I have more planning to do before I'm ready for this project.

NAPCO ken · 01-24-2004, 09:54 AM

I vote for getting the EFI off a later model 350. My '90 Suburban 1/2 ton 4x4 has EFI (throttle body) and it does not have a smog pump (and I'm in Calif), and wasn't supposed to. Conversely, my '88 crewcab dually 1 ton HAS a smog pump on it's EFI 454....go figure....I guess GM cleaned up the motors enough not to have to run smog pumps after '88 or so.

01-22-2004, 06:45 PM	#1
MJF No longer truckless Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 299	Fuel injection & CA emission laws I have an 83 4X4 truck that currently won't pass Ca emissions due to aftermarket carb & intake & all of the hoses being disconnected from the emission parts. I would like to add fuel injection to it. Maybe an Edelbrock multi point system but they all say they are not legal for use on pollution controlled vehicles. Is it possible to add aftermarket FI & still meet CA emission requirements? I want FI, but at some point I will have to return my truck to smog legal. It seems to me FI is superior to a carb in every way, including emissions output so I don't see why it wouldn't be allowed if all the applicable smog equipment is hooked up.

01-22-2004, 08:37 PM	#2
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,714	As long as all required emission stuff is hooked up and running then your fine. They failed my truck because it didn't have a float bowl vent. Trip to friends house, 30min and one carb top plate swapped out and I was passing emissions again. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

01-22-2004, 09:57 PM	#3
clipity Big hands Big feet ohwell Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Highlands,CA Posts: 168	My undestanding if you use a engine that is newer than the year of the vehicle it will be legal as long as all smog cr@p is there.I would find a TBI motor and swap it in. Their isnt as much smog to deal with on it or find 50 State legal parts.My dad built a 24 T and used a 64 283 only smog he had to have was a pvc valve. __________________ I only drive as fast as I can see!!! 89 Suburban 4x4 49 Willys flatbed 4x4 87 Banshee 88 Katana 1100

01-22-2004, 10:37 PM	#4
apstguy LED King Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,088	From what I understand, you can have a newer engine in but it must be from a vehicle that has to pass smog. Edlebrock is not FROM a vehicle so it didn't have to pass any laws or specifications. __________________ Tyler 1985 C10 305 w/ Bowtie OD TH700R4 3.42 LSD 202,000 miles 2006 Ford Focus ZX3 5-speed Stick 2016 Chevy Spark EV Gone: 2002.5 VW GTI 24v VR6 Gone: 2008 VW R32

01-22-2004, 11:20 PM	#5
Chevy67Tk Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: PA Posts: 349	I don’t know about CA laws but in parts of PA you cant mention aftermarket and emissions inspection in the same sentence. They are say now any vehicle 75 or newer has to have all emissions equipment attached as it had when it left the factory. __________________

01-23-2004, 11:47 AM	#6
MJF No longer truckless Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 299	Thanks for the replies. I guess I have more planning to do before I'm ready for this project.

01-24-2004, 09:54 AM	#7
NAPCO ken Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: anaheim, ca Posts: 187	I vote for getting the EFI off a later model 350. My '90 Suburban 1/2 ton 4x4 has EFI (throttle body) and it does not have a smog pump (and I'm in Calif), and wasn't supposed to. Conversely, my '88 crewcab dually 1 ton HAS a smog pump on it's EFI 454....go figure....I guess GM cleaned up the motors enough not to have to run smog pumps after '88 or so. __________________ ken '58 Chev NAPCO 4x4 short '60 GMC Suburban 4x4, restored '60 GMC 3/4T stepside 4x4 '64 GMC Suburban 4x4, restored '90 Chev Suburban 4x4, dually, ZZ502 '77 GMC Suburban 4x4, one ton axles, 12" lift, 39.5"s '88 Chevy crewcab dually 4x4, 10" lift, 42"s (x6!) '03 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon '79 Chev 3/4 Suburban 4x4, 400-400-203



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