Is a 3FE an EPA-approved replacement for a 2F?

[Advent]

Title pretty much says it all. I'd like to swap the 2F in my '76 FJ40 to something with fuel injection. The only engine that I would assume might have EPA or CARB approval, and is fuel injected, would be the 3FE.

I know that several of the people here in the international section have access to these sorts of documents, that's why I'm asking here. I would need to be able to prove to the referee station that somebody has gone through the effort to clear it.

Here are the local laws regarding engine modifications, for anyone interested:

(k) Except as provided in (1) of this section, a model year 1975 or newer vehicle equipped with an engine other than the engine originally installed by the manufacturer or an identical replacement of that engine must meet the following requirements to qualify for a certificate of inspection under this chapter:

(1) the resulting engine-chassis configuration must have been certified by either the EPA or the CARB as having emissions that are the same as, or lower than, the original engine-chassis configuration installed in the vehicle;

(2) the emissions controls that were originally installed on the vehicle, as certified by the EPA or the CARB, must be retained on the vehicle;

(3) if the vehicle was originally equipped with one or more catalytic converters, the resulting engine-chassis configuration must be equipped with either the catalytic converter certified by the EAP or the CARB for that configuration or a replacement catalytic converter approved by the implementing agency; and

(4) if the vehicle was originally equipped with feedback controls and an evaporative emissions control system, that system must remain functional on the resulting engine-chassis configuration.

(l) Instead of meeting the requirements of (k) of this section, a motorist may submit the results of an emissions test performed on a vehicle described in (k) using the FTP or an alternate loaded mode mass emissions test procedure approved by the department. The implementing agency shall issue a certificate of inspection after receiving adequate proof that the vehicle has a mass emissions rate that is the same as, or lower than, the engine-chassis configuration originally installed in the vehicle.

Now, as you can see, if I could get on a dynomometer and get tested, I could get around all this...The only problem is, there aren't any approved testing facilites. I talked to the local referee station, and they were working to set up a program, but they said that it would cost between 500 and 1500 dollars every two years to go through that test...I'd rather not do that.

Any help anybody might have would be great. Where to go to look, who to ask, anything.

Thanks!

 

[Diescipel]

Have you considered doing a TBI injection on your 2F? It would still be a "2F".

BRB

 

[cruiser_guy]

I'm assuming that you are in California. In British Columbia where there is also emissions testing the requirements are that you install the same year engine or newer. I'm sure if you go to an engine that's 10 years or more newer than original they would have a tough time to argue that it makes more pollution. Besides, what do the V8 guys do??

 

[Advent]

I'm in Alaska. I wish I were in California, this would be much easier.

There is only one CARB approved engine modification that I can currently do: Install a Downey CARB-approved header. I can't legally swap carburetors, install fuel injection, bigger cam...I can't even legally put in HEI, or any other non-points distributor, because it's 'not factory', and technically part of the smog controls.

I know that heeps can install the fuel injection off of a late-model 258, since that's a CARB approved swap that Chrysler submitted, in addition to being able to swap a 4.0 in almost any older heep. That's why I'm wondering if the 3FE can be legally swapped in place of a 2F.

The V8 guys around here all either run a pre-75 'cruiser (so they only have to pass a sniffer...I know of one person with a 2F in a 1968 FJ40 who failed I think 13 times a couple years ago because of her Weber carb), or they register their 'cruisers outside of the smog areas...Which is really shady, and if your driver's lisence isn't at the same address, they'll catch you sooner or later.

I'd like to do this on the up-and-up, but Alaska is very unforgiving for those who'd like to pollute less.

The worst part is, if your vehicle has OBD-II, you don't have to actually pass emissions at all. I went in with a work truck that was very clearly blowing blue smoke, but since it wasn't throwing any codes, it passed easily.

 

[70seriesaddict]

The 3FE is an EPA certified engine BUT any engine is only certified for the application(s) it came in originally, reasons being curb weight, gearing, transmission, and so on change the emissions and fuel economy performance of an engine. One would think that given the lower curb weight alone of an FJ40 that if anything a 3FE would perform better emissions and economy wise but it depends on your gearing, tires, and so on.