350 to 383 and the Smog Police

[binerfeld]

I am purchasing a 1988 GMC Suburban with a Gen 3 TBI 350.

The motor is under warranty, and just went bad - crank bearings.

My last truck had a 454, but was 73 and I had no smog problems and mad power.

 

I want to use this opportunity for a mild build on the engine, looking for more torque predominantly, but overall more useable power.

 

I want to leave the heads alone, but install a 3.75" crank plus the 400 flexplate, and bring this motor to 383 cid (it's bored .30 over).

 

I am in Los Angeles, and my problem is that I don't know if stroking this motor is SMOG LEGAL.

 

The officials at BAR (Bureau of Auto Repair) don't know, and want me to call the "Smog Referee" at DMV. It will be a week before he calls me back, and I'm sure I'll never get him on the phone.

 

Now, there's no way for the guys at the smog center to know the motor is stroked when I take it in for a reading . . . but will it blow the carbon test?

 

If anyone knows if I can legally stroke an 1988 350 to 383, one way or the other, please hit me back with any thoughts, suggestions or advice . . . please.

 

Thanks,

Philo

[clm7214]

I dont remember all the laws for Cali regarding your 383, but i used to have one and every time i had it smog checked (in arizona) it put out less emissions than our 2004 impala. It depends on how well you tune it and how efficient your setup is. When i brought my 383 to Cali and tried to have it smog checked they gave me a long list of things that were illegal on the engine. They also told me it had to have the same size engine it came with, but im not 100% sure they knew what they were talking about.

[binerfeld]

I dont remember all the laws for Cali regarding your 383, but i used to have one and every time i had it smog checked (in arizona) it put out less emissions than our 2004 impala. It depends on how well you tune it and how efficient your setup is. When i brought my 383 to Cali and tried to have it smog checked they gave me a long list of things that were illegal on the engine. They also told me it had to have the same size engine it came with, but im not 100% sure they knew what they were talking about.

 

did you tell the CA smogsters it was stroked? do you remember what they said was illegal about your motor?

 

i can't make heads or tails of the rules out here. i know they check tailpipe emissions, then they have the "eyeball" test. mine is going to pass the eyeball test.

 

thanks.

[clm7214]

I dont remember all the laws for Cali regarding your 383, but i used to have one and every time i had it smog checked (in arizona) it put out less emissions than our 2004 impala. It depends on how well you tune it and how efficient your setup is. When i brought my 383 to Cali and tried to have it smog checked they gave me a long list of things that were illegal on the engine. They also told me it had to have the same size engine it came with, but im not 100% sure they knew what they were talking about.

 

did you tell the CA smogsters it was stroked? do you remember what they said was illegal about your motor?

 

i can't make heads or tails of the rules out here. i know they check tailpipe emissions, then they have the "eyeball" test. mine is going to pass the eyeball test.

 

thanks.

 

 

My Heads were illegal. My carb was illegal. My valve cover breathers were illegal. My headers were illegal, they said i had to have an AIR system (even though it didnt have it from the factory). The they asked me what engine it was and i said 383 stroker and they said it had to have the 400ci that it came with. All this happened even before they would consider putting it on the smog dyno. There was even more stuff but i cant remember cause it was 3 years ago. This was all in a 79' GMC Jimmy. It was such a hassle. This was all because the military base i was at said it had to be Cali smog tested before i could get a DOD decal. I eventually got one, but only because of some connections. One of the reasons i hate Cali. Sorry.

[desrtrat]

smog inspectors will NOT know it's stroked as long as YOU don't tell them.........

if you keep a mild cam in it ALL smog related componets on it that are required by law, then you should have no trouble passing it.

 

BTW. if a vehicle comes into CA and needs smog, the test is done under FED. smog laws..what came equiped stock from the factory, for the 49 states and meet the HC/CO spec. for that year federal standerds

 

good luck

 

[svensk]

What a bunch of nanny state commies. Thank God they got rid of emissions here in MN.

[superbee]

Tune it well and keep your mouth shut and all should be well as long as it looks stock.

[ONESPACECOWBOY]

My 85 corvette has a 383 in it keep the cam mild leave on all the required smog equipment. I you have a tuned PCM. it will fail leave in your stock PCM and you will be fine.