gabegtz84

I just like alot of you fellow Lexus people want to make my car really fast with a turbo engine upgrade. Problem is I'm on a budget. Right now i'd rather drop a 1JZ then a 2JZ, but what really are my options for making it smog legal in california?

My car is a 93 5 speed SC300. can I simply drop in a 1JZ minus tranny? They are both OB1. OR do I need to drop in a 2JZGTE engine minus tranny???

I'm still a noob, and any help would be awesome.

JspecSC3

iTrader: (4)

Ive dealt with the State Referee a couple times. Those guys are pretty strict. They'll accuse your OEM part of being aftermarket. Anyway, anything that comes from Japan will not be smog legal in the states. Especially in California. One of the reasons why, they have no EGR system so they are more "harmful to the environment." The tranny would have nothing to do with it since it has nothing to do with emissions. If you wanted to get into legalized tuning you can swap in a stock USDM 2JZGTE and have the State Referee give you a BAR certificate for an engine change. Everything has to be running smooth with no check engine light and must pass smog.

TheMole

iTrader: (13)

I have always heard that any turbo swap into an SC is illegal in CA. That would be cool if it was legal though.

SCoupe

What Jspec said is right, whatever you've heard. You can put in a USDM 2jzgte with all emissions or (fully convert the JDM complete with all emissions) hassle but do-able.

The 1j will never be CARB legal so that route is closed if you want to keep it on the up and up.

That right there may be the biggest obstacle because the words "USDM 2jzgte swap" and "budget" don't mix well.

TheMole

iTrader: (13)

So you guys personally know somebody who has an SC with usdm 2jzgte swap with a BAR sticker? Got any pics?

JDM

I would also like to hear an answer to this question. If it really is possible, I'm going to 2jzgte swap no matter how much it costs.

5spdSC300

iTrader: (1)

Yes you can get a USDM GTE BAR'd. The trouble is finding a complete USDM GTE plus they are almost double the price of its JDM counterpart. My JDM GTE passed smog with flying colors...at least the sniffer part, the visual didn't go too well with a single turbo .

madmax98

How about going NA-T, is that 100% legal?

RX7 RAGE

iTrader: (18)

How did you pass the sniffer w/o an egr on the JDM motor?

5spdSC300

iTrader: (1)

You don't necessarily need an EGR to pass sniffer. It is there to reduce emissions but that doesn't mean the engine can't run clean without it. Everything on the JDM motor was converted to USDM so i was running a maf, usdm 550's, usdm ecu, and stock cat. I was worried she wouldn't pass the sniffer but figured my single turbo shouldn't make a difference since the car doesn't even get into boost while smogging. The smog guy was nice enough to let me do a test run first to make sure it passes before doing the official test . As i mentioned earlier, the sniffer went great but for the visual, that didn't go to well LOL.

JspecSC3

iTrader: (4)

100% illegal if you do not have proper documentation that shows that the turbo kit is smog legal. This documentation, or CARB number, or whatever you want to call it usually comes in the more top of the line turbo setups that you have to buy as kits from big name companies which can back their product up which also means more cash for you to fork over to keep it legal in sunny California.

JDM

5spdSC300, did you ever pass the visual?

5spdSC300

iTrader: (1)

It took some persuading. My original story of the turbo being an upgraded AC unit didn’t fly. I had to do some persuading with my wallet . Im just happy i got her smogged =).

Ac93sc

Since it's a pain to found a USDM GTE engine nowadays, have anyone or does anyone know how and what is needed to convert a JDM to USDM?

RX7 RAGE

iTrader: (18)

cams, fuel injectors, and turbos