I am planning on swapping a 2l-te engine into my '86 4runner. What do I need to consider concerning california smog requirements?
CA smog vs 2l-te swap into '86 4runner
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The only kinds of swaps that are worth considering with the 2LTE is to swap it for something else. These engines are total pieces of sh!t and should never be installed in any vehicle ever.
Do yourself a favour and use the search function. The 2LTE is not worth a dime... nope, not even a nickel.
~John
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better?
What would be a better swap? The truck is my daily driver and has to meet smog requirements. Smog laws are strict. From my understanding the engine being installed has to have been available for the vehicle in question from the same model year or newer. The 4runner was never imported into the states with a diesel engine, but the pickup truck was. The truck and 4runner are close enough that they are considered the same. The 2l-t was available in the truck in '86 and eventually the 2l-te in '88 before they stopped importing diesel trucks. Thus, I've gathered the impression that the 2l-te, being a newer, and considered better, engine is an acceptable swap. If anyone has better information, especially about a legal way to get a better motor, please let's hear it! The only other way is to get a special project build certificate, where the motor has to meet current smog requirements and be currently imported into the US, which would mean going non toyota or waiting for a brand new 2010 engine..... Input?
What would be a better swap? The truck is my daily driver and has to meet smog requirements. Smog laws are strict. From my understanding the engine being installed has to have been available for the vehicle in question from the same model year or newer. The 4runner was never imported into the states with a diesel engine, but the pickup truck was. The truck and 4runner are close enough that they are considered the same. The 2l-t was available in the truck in '86 and eventually the 2l-te in '88 before they stopped importing diesel trucks. Thus, I've gathered the impression that the 2l-te, being a newer, and considered better, engine is an acceptable swap. If anyone has better information, especially about a legal way to get a better motor, please let's hear it! The only other way is to get a special project build certificate, where the motor has to meet current smog requirements and be currently imported into the US, which would mean going non toyota or waiting for a brand new 2010 engine..... Input?
DanS HJ-45
SILVER Star
1KZ-TE.
Also installed in the same IFS platform (Hilux Surf--just a diesel 4 runner). Much better than the head-crack-o-matic, and you shouldn't have any problem as it's the same class of vehicle for your CA smog folks.
Note--I have a head-crack-o-matic and love everything about it--except for the fact that the head WILL crack one of these days. That said, I wouldn't buy another 2LT-E, and when this one cracks, if I can find a cheap head I'll probably keep it. Otherwise, it'll be 1KZ-TE time for the faux-lux.
Dan
Also installed in the same IFS platform (Hilux Surf--just a diesel 4 runner). Much better than the head-crack-o-matic, and you shouldn't have any problem as it's the same class of vehicle for your CA smog folks.
Note--I have a head-crack-o-matic and love everything about it--except for the fact that the head WILL crack one of these days. That said, I wouldn't buy another 2LT-E, and when this one cracks, if I can find a cheap head I'll probably keep it. Otherwise, it'll be 1KZ-TE time for the faux-lux.
Dan
Super-Double-Edit:
Nevermind everything that used to be in this post.
Take this form to the referee that inspects the vehicle:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg256.pdf
.. in order to register it as a diesel once the swap is done. No more smog test.
In theory, engine availability could still be an issue (not finding one, finding one that was originally available in the US), but it is seeming more and more that this matters less and less with swaps and that the referee's care only that the swap was done legit, the donor engine is same year or newer than the vehicle, and that it doesn't break class/size rules. Were it a gasser, all the emissions stuff would need to be retained with the newer engine - but since we are talking diesel, you just need the statement of facts and the referee to eyeball it and see.
Looks like a faux-lux may be in the future for me afterall..
Nevermind everything that used to be in this post.
Take this form to the referee that inspects the vehicle:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg256.pdf
.. in order to register it as a diesel once the swap is done. No more smog test.
In theory, engine availability could still be an issue (not finding one, finding one that was originally available in the US), but it is seeming more and more that this matters less and less with swaps and that the referee's care only that the swap was done legit, the donor engine is same year or newer than the vehicle, and that it doesn't break class/size rules. Were it a gasser, all the emissions stuff would need to be retained with the newer engine - but since we are talking diesel, you just need the statement of facts and the referee to eyeball it and see.
Looks like a faux-lux may be in the future for me afterall..
Last edited:
So in otherwords, if you swap a domestically available engine (ie an engine avalable to the us market, not just a JDM engine that someone else imported) into a vehicle of equal or older model year to the engine, you're pretty much golden, yes?
'Tis my understanding.
TDI sammi's apparently are fairly common CA, and I think there is a Biodiesel Mercury Topaz (or equivilant Ford) somewhere in Berkeley.
What about the 2L, 2L-T and 2L II? Are they better than the 2LT-E? I see them swapped alot into mini trucks. It is a problem with it being electronically controlled or is it the engine itself?
They all suck, the 2L(X) a little less so than the 2LTE, but not much. Cracking heads, dropping pre-ignition chambers, breaking piston rings. In '85 the 2LT was offered as an option in the US, so those "swaps" might not all be swaps. The 2L without a turbo is pretty anemic. A KZT engine would be the way to go, with some engine mount and transmission crossmember mods. After blowing up a 1L and a 2LT, I went with a 3L with a 2LTE turbo for ease of installation (same bellhousing/motor mounts). So far, so good.
If one is stuck with using a domestically available engine for a gasser swap, a Mercedes 5 cyl. turbo would be a good choice. Much more reliable than a 2L(X), cheaper and easier to source parts for it.
If one is stuck with using a domestically available engine for a gasser swap, a Mercedes 5 cyl. turbo would be a good choice. Much more reliable than a 2L(X), cheaper and easier to source parts for it.
