I remember seeing a story and photos on some website where a ruined 928 engine was replaced with a Chevy 383. Also, I have seen Jags where the stock 6 cyl engine was replaced with some variation of the basic Chevy 350 small block V8. How do these cars pass their state emissions inspection? Do they only have to meet the emissions specs for the original engine? Inquiring minds want to know.... <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

 

-I believe [I could be wrong; we don't have any sort of emissions inspection or testing in Central Florida] that the car must meet the emission standards either from the year it was produced, or from the year the engine was produced, whichever are stricter.

Normy-
'85 S2 5 Speed

 

If you're going to do this, consider replacing the transaxle with a munci 4 speed and solid rear axle. At the same time, replace the unibody with a subframe and the sleek aerodynamic body with something like, oh I don't know, a Camaro? The leather interior could be replaced with vinal. The low-profile tires and alloy wheels could be replaced with a nice set of steel rims fitted with bias-ply meats. Brilliant thinking guys...

 

Chris,
I realize that I originally asked a question that is a little off topic for this forum. I am not advocating swapping Porsche power for GM. The swap could be replacing a 968 4 cyl with a 928GT engine. I was trying to determine how state emissions testing thinks. Do they realy care what engine is in the car as long as it has the right amount of smog control devices (cats and air pumps) and meets the O2 and NOX limits for the year and model of the VIN?
Don't panic, I'm not mutating my shark. (But I might like to build something else for fun!)
<img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

 

My experience with this hybred realm extends to 2 projects. GM350/TH350 in a '74 Datsun Z (shadetree engineered), and GM454/700R4 in a '86 Jag VandenPlas (complete John's Cars kit). Both produced vastly superior vehicles, as compared the their previous iterations and Chris' 928. ;-)
The emissions standard here was as Normy stated... at least meeting the vehicle standard for the registered vehicle, but to the standard of the engine if that were superior.

 

Hey I gotta rag because it seems too often that someone comes across a 928 and they look under the hood and crap themselves. What's all this stuff? I never seen any of that before. Heck I'll just drop a chevy 350 in there with a Holley 4 barrel and Hooker Headers then I got a super Porsche. Then these guys have something they understand and are comfortable with and end up convincing themselves and trying to convince other porsche owners that it is better.

It's highly doubtful that a garage mechanic can improve on what Porsche did. The 928 is a very well refined car. Heck, most of the people who want to hack into them don't even know the function of the Wissach axle! These guys want to swap dual overhead cams for push rods! I'll never understand.


As far as the smog goes, you should contact the local authorities and get it in writing before you spend any time or money.

 

'As far as slapping the guy who opened this discussion,' this is an interesting question. I checked the US EPA site which is useful only as an Ambien substitute. Ditto Tx DOT.
"Renegade Hybrids" has nothing on the subject, nor does "Rod Simpson Hybrids", McKiernan doesn't mention it.
[There was another project in Austin that was listed on ebay last (?) year where the guy was sticking a supercharged 502 into a 928].

As much as I like the Porsche power, if my engine ever goes, the bastardization will be an easy decision- unless I win the lottery & install a Cayenne motor.
Hope someone knows the answer to the question, which applies to Porsche-Porsche transplants as well as domestic-foreign.
Donald

 

Before my 928 S4, I had a 87 Volvo 740 Turbo that I had converted from a 4 cyl turbo to a Ford 5.0L. The conversion was done by a guy in Maine using a Converse Engineering "kit". RawBear Volvo in New Jersey also does these V8 conversions. You can use the Ford or Chevy LT1 engine. Anyway, the car had to meet the emission standards of the Ford Mustang it came from not the "Volvo" that it was.

 

Well, for the sake of keeping the GT as close to original as possible, when the original engine in my 90GT seized, I replaced it with another 928 GT engine. It may have cost me more than putting in a Chevy engine, but I like my Porsche with a Porsche engine and my Chevy with a Chevy engine. YMMV.

As far as emissions go, between the year of the car or the year of the engine - the car must pass whichever test is the most stringent.