On Wed, Dec 24, 2008 at 11:09 PM, Randall <tr3driver@ca.rr.com> wrote:
>> How does this law apply to crate motors or purpose built
>> engines that did not come from any "donor" car?
>
> It gets complicated. A "new" engine would need to meet current emission
> standards for it's date of manufacture. But a replacement for the same
> engine already in the car would only need to meet the standards already
> applied to the car. So, at least as I understand it, you could start by
> swapping in a 60's vintage SBC from the junk yard, get the swap approved,
> then drop in a crate motor of the same specifications and be legal. The
> tricky part is what counts as a "replacement".
>
Well, it's a lot more complicated then that. The law makes it a
violation to try and avoid it by doing things like that. So if you
start the process intending to end up with a modern engine in your old
vehicle, you have to meet the current standards. If you end up with a
modern replacement engine becuase the original breaks, you don't.
It's not a very well written law, but there are all sorts of corner
cases, which are hard to get right. (And the reality is that no one
really cares, as long as you're not in the business of selling antique
vehicles with modern features.)
> Last time I heard of someone getting in trouble for an illegal engine swap,
> they only paid a fine of $10,000 and of course were not allowed to register
> the car with the swapped engine. But that was a few years ago, so the fines
> may have gone up. And I have no doubt it depends on circumstances, etc.
>
A fine is the most common penality, but seizure isn't uncommon.
Criminal sanctions (jail time) is unusual, and usually reserved for
people who are doing things on a big scale.
--
David Scheidt
dmscheidt@gmail.com
_______________________________________________
Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html
Shop-talk mailing list
http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk
http://www.team.net/archive
|