Any 2uz swap Tacoma BAR/CARB approved in SoCal

Pertaining to the first gen Tacoma. CA laws regarding engine change are difficult vs other states. Yes, some will say move out of state or register the vehicle out of state will be easier, but I don’t want to deal with issue later.

I am in the collective state, mainly information, on how difficult it is and which 2uz parts has to be modify to fit, yet still in compliance with CA laws, particular to smog. Engine change classification is not new to me, but those days are easier with 20/22R swap to RE/RET or RZ family.

I understanding the swap must be from the same or newer year and from the same vehicle classification along with the transmission and all emission related components. With this in mind, buying a complete wrecked Tundra will be the best option vs sourcing parts. I want to retain the A340 transmission from my Tacoma, which limit the Tundra option to 2002-2004 as 2005+ uses the A750.

The primary goal is to retain road legal status.

 

The main issue you’ll run into is the v8 vs v6 configuration, as CA knows the truck did not ever come with a V8.Most of CAs rules are emissions based, i believe it has to do with “excess emissions” when going to a larger motor with more cylinders.

 

I don't believe # of cylinders matters at all, at least I can't find a single mention of this withing BAR's engine change rules and regulations (this is located in appendix D, pg 45 of BAR's 2025 Smog Check Reference Guide).

@02hilux honestly, it sounds like you've already pretty much done your initial research. Not a bad idea to post here but I'm gonna guess you won't get very good/complete answers. Plus, from what I can gather from my experience with Honda swaps is that often times different BAR stations will interpret the rules slightly differently or simply not care (or care way too much) about certain things. I would suggest reading the rules a handful of times (although sounds like you already did this) and then call up your local BAR station and talk to the guy there. Let him know what you're doing - stress that you want to be 100% legal and be very open/honest. I'm sure these guys get calls from people trying to learn where the loopholes are but when I've called (given this was a long, long time ago) the guy was happy to help clarify things and answer my questions. Afterall, probably easier for him to help you get close to the goal in advance then breeze thru the test when you're done rather than you go at it alone only for him to flag all kinds of stuff when you try to test it. Then you need to fix and retest and repeat until you get it right.

Best of luck, sounds like a rad project!

 

Number of cylinder makes no difference as along as it’s from the same classification. That’s like saying older Toyota with 20R can run a 1UZ, which is possible and I seen plenty smog legal with that set up.

 

You can always contact California BAR 800-952-5210 and ask them(probably one of their technicians) whatever emissions/engine swap questions you have or just do whatever you want to and register it in a different state that doesn't care.

 

registering in another state is out of the question. The state is hitting pretty hard with vehicles registered out of state unless the owner has an EIN and LLC associated with the state the vehicle is registered in. Even CHP has an online reporting page now that your neighbor can report and submit your address/vehicle info. Don’t want to get pull into that hell hole.

Rather do it legally…

 

Yup, call them & find out first hand....
My cousin installed a LS in his Mazda rx7, dont think he swapped the trans.
Just all emissions components from the vet, had to be on the rx7 so entire engine looks like oem corvette.
Then off to the referee for a 1 time inspection...
This was 20 years ago though.

 

LS to RX trans, that even bolt up?

the thing is, I spoke to the local ref rep a few years ago and got conflicting stories. Each station will interpret the regulations differently.

Nowadays, everything must be swap over from trans, harness, fuel pump/evap, ecu must match engine year, cat, and even the exhaust collector/crossover and tail pipe must be in the exact location. If the exhaust tip from the swap engine dump on the driver side while the Tacoma original is on the passenger side, it must be alter and look factory to the passenger side.

 

I just texted him, guess your info according to him is correct....
I just dont recall him doing anything with the trans but Im wrong!
He swapped out the trans too with a T56...
He seems to think it matters.

I texted one of my smog guys at work, he said he didnt think it mattered...
More contradicting info...
Messaged another smog guy, not sure if he will respond.
He's grumpy...

 

the other guy:
That is a loaded question. It depends on whether or not you're using the factory ecu and tune. If you use a standalone with a custom tune it shouldn't matter. It all comes down to how much money you got.


That being said, does your current trans involve being controlled by your current PCM?
If it does, how are you going to run your current trans & pcm aong with a different engine & second pcm, sounds stupid complicated....

 

That information is incorrect. You cannot use a stand alone engine management system in CA. Stand alone engine management is label as “offroad use only / off highway” This isn’t my first engine change classification, so I’m not new to the rodeo. You have to use the factory ecu for the year you’re pulling the engine from. The ref will verify the ecu part number, that I know. They will peel the carpet back to make sure you’re not doing something fishy, I seen that. I done plenty of engine change from the 80s pick up 20r/22r to 22re/22ret/3rz and early 90 3vz runner to 5vz swap. Also done a few D series Honda engine to B series swap.

 

Based on what I'm reading, this is not the case. Quoted from pg 47 of the Smog Check Reference Guide Appendix D:

"No other exhaust system changes are allowed, unless they occur downstream of the last emissions control device i.e. (Oxygen sensor (O2), NOx sensor, etc.). For example, the muffler location(s) may be modified."

There are some details listed previous to the above statement but essentially you have to keep all emissions controls the same location (distance) from the engine but after the smog equipment, anything downstream of that, you can modify without specific regulation.

It's also worth noting that the regulations surrounding most of this stuff differs depending on whether the recipient vehicle is OBD2 or pre-OBD2.

 

The opposite. I helped 2 3vz (4R and pickup) engine change to 5vz. The original 5vz exhaust crossover drops down the passenger firewall. In order to be legal when I helped 2 years ago, the crossover must be cut and rotate to the driver side. Ref fail the inspection due to exhaust routing from the engine. Per ref, the crossover must drop on the driver side, not passenger. Went to 2 different ref station for both vehicles. Both failed due to crossover.

NWT is one source for the CA legal crossover swap. You can modify it yourself tho.

https://northwesttoysllc.com/products/5vz-swap-conversion-exhaust-cross-over-pipe#:~:text=The 5VZ Swap Conversion Exhaust,transfer case, and fuel tank.

 

ok but you want to use your current trans but you need the PCM from the engine youre going to install...
How is that second PCM going to correctly control your original trap & mesh everything flawlessly.....
Dont think thats going to happen, its not 1 size fits all....
Also how is your engine swap main wiring harness going to tie into your current trans, its not, it will be different.

Need too do it all or it will be Frankenstein....

 

That’s my current research issue. Spoke to the local state ref and he stated the only way I can legally passed a 2uz inspection is to pulled the engine, ecu, trans, and all emissions components from an early Tundra. Others are saying I can’t use the Tundra due to vehicle classification difference and can only use early 4th 4R with the 2uz. That’s where I’m lost.

As for trans, the early Tundra uses the same trans as my current, both being 4-speed auto A340. So that won’t be an issue.

As for being a Frankenstein Tacoma, I’m not worry as long as it passed state ref and get relabel as a tundra for smog purposes. In its current state, it’s already a Frankenstein setup with Land Cruiser, GX, Tacoma, Corvette, old Toyota pickup, 4Runner, and many other parts piece together. LMFAO. Tell me she looks ugly.

One of my biggest issue at hand is the upper/first cat at the firewall on the 2uz, I’m not sure it’ll clear the upper link on my Tacoma. Second issue is, the engine bay electrical box, my towers protrude through where the fuse box will be located. All must be custom fab to fit, which isn’t an issue. Lucky for me, I own GX I can play with.

 

Call again & talk to a different ref, see if the info is different...
If the trans is the same, dont think they need to be the actual trans that was mated with the swapped engine.
That would be nonsense, what if the trans blew & you need to replace it, no longer smogable....
So if the trans in the tundra is same as your current trans, you should be good...
Assuming the ref did not know that...
If the trans is the same, the pcm should work.

my cousin used a ls from a vet, t56 was from a Camaro, though its used in a vet, he couldnt find one from a vet.
Never told him it was from a Camaro....
"My motor is out of a corvette but I told them it came out of Camaro. I had to use the Camaro exhaust because corvette stuff wouldn’t fit under my hood. They get the vin and original computer "

 

That’s the next step is to call a different station or their 800 number. That’s the reason for the posting, is to pick the brain of the folks who ref a 2uz. I’ll give it a few more days/weeks before I call. It’s not a priority

 

Sounds like you're misinterpreting the rule or we're just getting some confusion between what each other is talking about.

Your first statement talked about exhaust tips exiting on the left or right side of the vehicle. That would not be something BAR cares about because it's downstream of all the emissions equipment. I was showing the part of the regulations which state anything downstream of the last piece of emissions equipment (like a muffler or an exhaust tip) would be fair game for modification.

But now you're talking about crossover pipes, which mount between the exhaust manifold and the rest of the exhaust system. That would put them upstream of both catalytic converters and oxygen sensors. Because they are upstream of those emissions control items, they cannot be changed.

So to put it plainly:
- Any item upstream of the last piece of emissions equipment would be regulated
- Any item downstream of the last piece of emissions equipment would be unregulated

 

Per regulation, yes. But both ref station that failed both 5vz inspection due to the simple fact that crossover isn’t correct. Per both rep, even tho the crossover originally dumps on the passenger side, it must dump as the original truck with the 3vz.

Ref done in NorCal - first vehicle: 2001 5vz tacoma engine, passenger crossover, both cats and both sensor in original location, exhaust rerouted after the second cat to a muffler and exit straight in the middle of the bed below the tailgate. Failed.

Ref done in central CA - second vehicle: 1995 t100 5vz engine, passenger crossover, 1 cat and both sensor on original place, muffler attached about 18” from cat and dump/cut above the axle. Failed

Both failed visual due to incorrectly route/modify exhaust system. Per useless advice from tech, only mentioning routing must retain original side. **original to what? The truck original exhaust exit or the engine?* Regardless, both vehicle swap crossover to driver side, reroute the entire exhaust to exit correctly behind the rear driver tire. Passed. If they want to keep it original, the original 5vz crossover is on the passenger side. I would understand if both vehicle was inspected at the same location But they were a few hours from each other.

When I ref my 83 pickup from 22R to a 87 22RET in 2010, I failed for 2 reason. One of them being identical to the 5vz. Even tho the 22RET exhaust is on the same side as the 22R, I decided to cut the exhaust about 20” from the muffler, leaving it tuck under the bed, I failed for that. Second reason was having a vacuum canister located at the driver fender well which is original to the 22RET but according to tech, his diagram didn’t show that canister and I had to prove it. I told him since his record don’t show it, can I remove it to as a fix. Tech said no, he noted the fail reason in the system and instructed me to prove it is correct. That’s lame AF.

Each station will probably interpret the regulation differently. I know some old ref tech didn’t care as long as there’s no check engine light and passed the sniff test for the older car. These younger tech are paid to make sure it is as difficult as possible to pass.

 

I get all that, none of this goes against the rules except for what you're saying about the exhaust exit. That crossover pipe should have NOTHING to do with what side the exhaust exits the vehicle and only one of those two things is regulated by BAR.

As long as your crossover pipe is on the right side the exhaust tip exit is irrelevant. Any BAR tech interpreting otherwise is just plain incorrect. Which is a possibility and probably tough to fight. Sounds like the techs you've worked with are terrible. I've never seen them scrutinize exhaust systems that heavily before. I know many, many swaps with the exhaust exiting different sides and all sorts of different muffler and resonator changes.