check into rules about what non factory engines can be swapped in. I dont think we have very strict regulations on that. Other than that, if you put some GOOD catalytic convertors on it, you'll pass just fine.

 

Im pretty sure the engine you swap in has to come out of the same model year or newer and have all the equipment...at least in cali lol

 

If you want to drive a V8, rwd powered car....go buy a Mustang. It'll be A LOT cheaper and save yourself a lot of hassles in the long run.

 

If you want to drive a V8, rwd powered car....go buy a Mustang. It'll be A LOT cheaper and save yourself a lot of hassles in the long run.

But it doesnt sound like the poster wants a Mustang.

 

focusdchaos got what i wanted. Here is what i found for Texas anyways. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/Misc/faq/engine.html#swaps

 

One possibilty is to register the car in a county that does not require emissions testing. That would be the majority of counties except Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston area and maybe El Paso, not sure about that one. All the other cities and counties do not have emissions inspections. That includes San Antonio although they keep threatening to start. The safety inspectors are supposed to check but most will not do so.

I know at least two turbo Zetecs running around San Antonio without catalytic converters and no one ever checks.

 

I know at least two turbo Zetecs running around San Antonio without catalytic converters and no one ever checks.

until you get stopped...


he's looking for the legal and non-stressful way of doing things.

 

It'll be easy to make it legal assuming you have enough space to keep all of the OEM emissions equipment of a modern motor.

 

Just be glad Texas isn't California, or California isn't Texas however you wish to look at it. Good luck.

 

Well someone beat me to posting a link for the Air Check Texas website. That's where you look for any emissions questions in Texas.

 

until you get stopped...


he's looking for the legal and non-stressful way of doing things.

There are no emissions checks in San Antonio

 

There are no emissions checks in San Antonio

does the poster live in San Antonio??



..where my post was going

 

No i live in North Dallas.

Ok i understand the emissions part, but how are they really going to check it? Will they still hook through the ECU harness and if so, do i have to change ECUs? If i could change the ECU to the Cobra one then i can still run O2 cheaters to trick the computer?

Right now im trying to get as much info as i can before i buy one thing to do this.

 

No i live in North Dallas.

Ok i understand the emissions part, but how are they really going to check it? Will they still hook through the ECU harness and if so, do i have to change ECUs? If i could change the ECU to the Cobra one then i can still run O2 cheaters to trick the computer?

Right now im trying to get as much info as i can before i buy one thing to do this.

:lol: sry...but u really need to look into what this conversion is. I'm pretty sure you'll be running a mustang ECU, just makes sense.

Check the search function for V8swaps...there has been on recently that just finished in rigz actually.

And again, having a V8 in a focus isn't really gonna allow you to "slip underneath the radar" when it comes to emissions and restrictions, so do it by the book to prevent nonesense in the future.

-chris

 

until you get stopped...


he's looking for the legal and non-stressful way of doing things.

There are no emissions checks in San Antonio

 

There are no emissions checks in San Antonio

And again, the original poster does NOT live in San Antonio.

Are there emissions checks in Plano?

 

until you get stopped...


he's looking for the legal and non-stressful way of doing things.

I was pulled over 5 times AND I passed inspection in Houston with no cat.

No one noticed...the inspector never said crap. lol.

I had a shorty header, off road pipe, and FS Exhaust. Idled and daily drove at near stock decibel levels.

heh

 

I've been driving with a turbo and no cat for around 4 years now, with no problems.

First, off, cops have no idea and won't check under your hood, and I'm pretty sure a cop has seen in my engine bay and said nothing. Your best bet for inspections is to go to a small garage, preferably one where they only speak spanish. You'll have no problem.

I've had some inspections done where they didn't even drive the car, they just checked the wipers and lights and were done. Last time I did it though, a white guy I'd never seen before did the inspection and I though, "Oh Crap", but he passed the car without opening the hood.

Unless you live in a town Old Man mentioned, or the car smokes like crazy you'll be fine.

 

Gotta love the way the inspections work over here. I've been researching taking my 2002 ZX-3 to Germany and they are sooo strict it's not even funny. Other than the suspension it's stock and even that is an emissions and noise nightmare that I pretty much decided it's not worth taking it. I don't want to imaging what it would be like to pass inspection if I showed up with a turbo or V8... lol

Good luck to you though and I agree with whoever recommended to do it once, do it right and be done with it. I think in the long run you will be better off than driving every day and hoping not to get caught.

 

I've been driving with a turbo and no cat for around 4 years now, with no problems.

First, off, cops have no idea and won't check under your hood, and I'm pretty sure a cop has seen in my engine bay and said nothing.
.

Cops are regular people, and like regular people, many know very little or what a turbo setup even looks like. Oh and they can't see the cat so that is irrelevant.

...tho if they popped the hood and saw a hefty V8 in a focus, every person on earth including my grandma would know that it is definitely aftermarket. So its a tad different than a turbo setup:lol:


just sayin be careful, last thing you wanna do is have hefty fines after you just put a lot of money into your ride.


-chris

 

Well, first off, you haven't heard my exhaust.

Secondly, I'd be more worried about a ticket for a loud exhaust. If they're not that picky he's got no worries. Bet you even if they did look under the hood and find a V8, they'd think it was stock if the install looked clean.

Just tell em, "Yep, Focus 5.0, they only sold them for 6 months. Got lucky to scoop one up." Unless you're doing donuts in parking lot and making a nuisanse of yourself, nobody will care.

 

The major problem you're gonna run into to be truly legal is you're gonna have to use a modern 4.6 which is physically HUGE. You should forget about those garbage ford motors and put an LS1 in it. ;-)

 

Just tell em, "Yep, Focus 5.0, they only sold them for 6 months. Got lucky to scoop one up."

best POST evar. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

I think you would very likely get noticed in North Texas and possibly cited.

 

Or you could put one of those "SVT Piranha" decals on the back, then you'd really throw them for a loop.