California emissions legal?

[paguilera]

OK guys, someone must have done this one legally??? I am aware of several cummins into Dakota swaps. Unfortunately, none seem to be in Ca??? I would sure like to talk to someone who knows the answer to the following questions. I would like to build a street legal (ie smog legal) 1997 /dakota with a 1997, 2nd gen, 5. 9. I have started a dialogue with Ca. ARB, but they cannot seem (won't?) tell me the answer to two of their main issues. First, the vehicle you are swapping into must be the same class as the vehicle from which the engine came. Are a 1997 3/4 or 1 ton ram, with cummins, and a Dodge Dakota the same "class" of vehicle. Secondly, does the 1997 cummins meet the test of, "coming from a vehicle with the same, or cleaner, emissions standard?"



If I knew the answers to these questions, or to whom to speak directly at arb, I could move forward. Somebody needs to build a street legal Dakota (which should do away with the huge weight penalty) that is capable of 10s or 11's in the quarter mile). It seems that doing away with the huge weight differential between gas and diesel would be one way of making our rigs more competitive.



If you know the answer or know who does, feel free to pm me... thanks, Paul

 

[RustyJC]

Gale Banks is located in California. Banks Engineering built the Sidewinder (a Cummins-powered Dakota) and drove it to Bonneville, so I have to think he got it registered somehow. You might try to contact them.



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Rusty

 

[paguilera]

Banks

I see no reason why not to get in touch with Banks... however, they used a 3rd gen motor... which is now subject to smog checks in Ca. THAT is the reason I am looking at a 97-97 swap (97 being the first year of the new body dakota... and 97 being the last year diesels are smog check exempt... I have replied twice to the guy at ARB to get clarification on his list of what can be swapped into what... he cannot seem to tell me the answer to his own questions. I will keep trying... this is a swap worth doing, has been done out of CA. It may be it is not legal in CA... but I need to find a definitive answer before I commit 20+K to the project, only to find I cannot register it. Paul

 

[DVolk]

Check with your Laws on lisenceing it as a special interst vehical . I read some place that the engine should be newer than the body

 

[paguilera]

Dan, I am attempting to find the specifics of licensing. In Ca. the engine must be the same year or newer... . the smog class must be the same or better, the vehicle class must be the same. The problem is getting the ARB to agree... or even finding the specifics. I know a Dakota is a Light Truck... diesel trucks are MDEV... or medium trucks... will this kill the swap... I cannot get dmv to answer one way or the other... . and just try to find the smog class of vehicle on their website... the stuff they referred me to, federal, is even more arcane. It says the vehicle was certified... but doesn't tell the smog class!!! It is like circles... . Paul

 

[Bob4x4]

The simple answer is NO. You can not put a hd emmisions engine into a light duty. If you are stuck on doing it try talking to the guys at a referee station. They should be able to explain all the resons why you can not make it legal.

 

[paguilera]

Thanks

Thanks Bob, From the research I have been doing... . I have come to the same conclusion. I spent quite a few hours plowing through fed and state engine smog certifications before that became more apparent. But, do you think that I have heard back from the guys on the CARB roster that are supposed to know this stuff? Nope. My last hope was a referee station..... Thanks again, Paul

 

[crowboy]

Try a 1999 4BT, I have seen them being put into Jeeps, why not a Dakota. Not sure if a 4BT meets the light duty factor, but just posting the idea...

 

[Doubleclutch]

Here go my two bent pennies... since the smog requirement START with the 1998 model year, a 1999 4BT would get jigged. A 1997 wouldn't. If only life were that simple. I would converse with more than just one referee station...