I've had the desire to drop a Buick 350 into my S-10 ('97) for quite a while, but the emissions testing we have here in Ohio makes me a little worried. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for building a motor clean enough to pass, and yet still run like a Buick should. I was considering using a efi setup with the FAST computer. Would this make it a possibility? I was thinking it would be easy to program a fuel-efficient map and keep the stock cam for E-ckeck, and then drive it home and drop in a hot cam and re-map the computer (repeat every two years). Use dual hi-flow catalytic converters. Any idea if this would work, and if so which year of motor would be the best to start with (does it have to be a smog motor?) Steve
I can't give any ideas on the engine, but, the advantage of our Ohio E-Check is it actually checks for emissions, unlike the old visual AIM check. To bad the bulk of the pollution is exempt (industry, etc.). Anyway, it sounds like you'll be doing a little buildup, and that may be all you need. I remember an old (mid 80s) Hot Rod magazine article which tested muscle cars in California and found they were cleaner than new cars. The more efficiently your engine burns, the more powerful and cleaner it should be; within reason (somebody correct me on this). Back in 1984 I had a '74 Camaro; found a dyno that tested emissions just for fun. It was cleaner than a new car, and the dog never ran right! Also, last year we had an '88 Cutlass Ceirra with too many problems to fix, and it failed... but a 50% mixture of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol in the tank got it to sqeak by the second time (though I'm sure nobody would do that). You could pass with the original engine, then do the swap - but you'd have to do that every 2 years. You may be able to pass with some easily reversible demodification; plus, some stations are known to pass cars more easily than others. I am not sure how well they'll check if it is obvious the engine isn't of the original type. Also, if you fail, get the vehicle repaired at a designated shop (or do it yourself and show X dollars of parts receipts dated after the failed test) and fail again, there is some sort of waiver. Ah, loopholes...
That's all they REALLY care about - THE MONEY! The fact that it passes emissions seems almost secondary to the 'genius' that wrote these emissions laws anyways!:af: It would too much sense to just put the sniffer in the tailpipe! If it's clean it passes - if not, it doesn't. How difficult is that to figure out. Common sense is NOT the governments' forte. Scott
The only thing I think you can do to get 'around' the emissions testing - convert the motor to run alcohol or CNG/Propane. I believe alternative fuels are exempt. What you do in between tests is up to you. With your 97 truck, you're also dealing with OBDII! Not very easy to overcome. It is 'legal' to switch to something like a 97 LT1 motor/tranny. In theory, you should be able to 'make' the Buick 350 run as clean. GM had determined years ago, that a small bore motor (under 4.000") would be better on emissions - hence the sbc 305". Our Buick 350's have a 3.800" bore - this may be a good thing in your case! You'd have to make sure to duplicate the LT1 sensors. Random Technologies makes arguably the best catalytic converters out there - very free flowing. You'll find these on 500-600hp at the wheels on high $$ F-bodies!! It's also possible to run 'dual' fuels. Use a CNG mixer on a carburated intake. Also have the manifold converted to MPFI. Run Propane or CNG when it's available and run gas when you can't find CNG or Propane. Almost anything is possible - just takes $$$. Hope that gives you some more options. Scott
