Let’s create a VR Hemi swap as a hive mind?

[Neil Sears]

Hi all, Ive been seeing a few Hemi swap Rubicon TJ’s for sale. Both were about $50k and the donor cars both had about 30k miles.

Apple thinks I need a new iPhone so it’s been randomly stopping me from copying links or taking screen capature however I thought: no worries I’m a member of the Wrangler TJ forum.

What do you think about specing the perfect Hemi swap TJ?

 

[Wildman]

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...j-reference-guide-swap-info.46347/post-791871

Start with reading our Hemi swap thread..

 

[GregBelleville]

Do you have a plan for smogging this beast?

 

[Wildman]

Do you have a plan for smogging this beast?

Making it pass smog is possible.. Talk to Todd @ Jeep Speed Shop He's been doing smog legal swaps for a while.

 

[GregBelleville]

Making it pass smog is possible.. Talk to Todd @ Jeep Speed Shop He's been doing smog legal swaps for a while.

I could be wrong, but being in California I thought our laws are more restrictive on engine swaps, something about the engine having to be an available option for the vehicle it's being swapped into?

 

[Wildman]

I could be wrong, but being in California I thought our laws are more restrictive on engine swaps, something about the engine having to be an available option for the vehicle it's being swapped into?

Don't know. Last I'd heard when it was being talked about I'd thought it was that it had to be in the same class of vehicle. I know JSS does them and I thought he offered a CA approved swap. I know that there were people from CA who did the swap years ago.

 

[GregBelleville]

Based on this quick search it looks like you're correct. The engine must be same model year or newer as well.

 

[MikeE024]

Based on this quick search it looks like you're correct. The engine must be same model year or newer as well.

View attachment 661431

Three years ago, it wasn't only about having the same year or newer (which is currently the rule in AZ). In CA, a TJ had to have a non-Eagle 5.7L (not the newer Eagle engine)...and that was just the beginning of the adventure.

Based on the rules I learned in 2023, few TJ builds would pass CA rules. I'd love to be wrong, but the CA rules are likely as strict or more strict than they were the last time I looked.

If folks are serious, it's probably best to get the CA rules from the appropriate authority.

 

[Wildman]

Based on this quick search it looks like you're correct. The engine must be same model year or newer as well.

View attachment 661431

I just know that over on the Jeep Forum there were a few guys who did the swap themselves and one of them took his to JSS to get it certified. I don't know if that's because they're a referee station or they have one they work with. But he'd gotten it approved.

And back in 2006 when I did my Magnum swap there were shops that offered a CA legal Hemi swap... Now have rules gotten stricter since?

Most of those rules are the Federal EPA rules that I've discussed with people who want to swap a 80's SBC or SBF into their TJ and I try to explain that it's not legal.

 

[MikeE024]

I just know that over on the Jeep Forum there were a few guys who did the swap themselves and one of them took his to JSS to get it certified. I don't know if that's because they're a referee station or they have one they work with. But he'd gotten it approved.

If it wasn't recent then it doesn't matter. The CA rules have gotten more and more strict over the years.

And back in 2006 when I did my Magnum swap there were shops that offered a CA legal Hemi swap... Now have rules gotten stricter since?

Stone ages for the purpose of this conversation. Best to look at the current rules rather than rely older stories.

 

[Wildman]

If it wasn't recent then it doesn't matter. The CA rules have gotten more and more strict over the years.



Stone ages for the purpose of this conversation. Best to look at the current rules rather than rely older stories.

Only way to know would be :
1) Call JSS and ask them since this is their bread & butter... They are doing JK's now & I think JL's
2) Go by a referee station and ask. They used to give you a book with the rules.. Again that may have changed ...

 

[MikeE024]

Only way to know would be :
1) Call JSS and ask them since this is their bread & butter... They are doing JK's now & I think JL's
2) Go by a referee station and ask. They used to give you a book with the rules.. Again that may have changed ...

I learned the 2023 rules without doing any of what you stated, so those are not the "ONLY way to know"

 

[Wildman]

What AI says:

 

[MikeE024]

What AI says:

View attachment 661434

View attachment 661435

View attachment 661436

This is hilarious. Best of luck folks.

 

[Wildman]

This is hilarious. Best of luck folks.

What's funny Mike? You asked what the rules were... And like was said the easiest way is to call someone and ask or do some leg work..
I hear all kinds of horror stories by people who haven't ever tried to do a swap before. YES it's a PITA but it can be done.
RangerRick on here is in CA and did his swap just a few years ago.

 

[Wildman]

I learned the 2023 rules without doing any of what you stated, so those are not the "ONLY way to know"

I'm sure there are other ways... Man you need to lighten up some...

I suggested the two quickest ways I could think of & if I was in CA wanting to do a swap...

 

[Wildman]

Here Ya Go.... Straight from the CARB Rule book. https://www.bar.ca.gov/engine-changes

 

[Wildman]

 

[John Cooper]

I believe it would be easier to swap to a free state than to jump through the commie cali rule book.

Yeah I went there.

 

[speeding_infraction]

swap to a free state

There's an idea... But they'll tax you for that too