SoCal vortec conversion referee question

[JohnCapoccia]

For those of you who have done a vortec conversion in Southern California, can you tell me if you've had good or bad experiences with any of the referees? The closest one to me is at Rio Hondo College, but if there's a known good one that's easy to work with, I'll travel the extra distance.

Thanks, John

 

[MANUCHAO]

John, I did a show up without calling visit to the ref at the Chaffey college in Rancho Cucamonga prior to taking my rig in.
His name was Mike.
Great guy, and source of info without any authoritarian attitude that you some times get from some state government employees.

 

[Output Shaft]

Please share the referee experience with us once you actually do it. I'm sure a lot of guys are curious as to what it entails.

 

[JohnCapoccia]

Please share the referee experience with us once you actually do it. I'm sure a lot of guys are curious as to what it entails.

Will do! I'll start a thread any day now...

 

[LBCFZJ]

I have heard that Rio Hondo College has an easy to work with referee. I called and talked to him and he gave me his direct number so he could answer any questions. I have known them to pass Samurais with VW diesel swaps as a reference. Best of luck!

 

[pandasfj]

I too had went to Chaffey college but unfortunately I was running late after my sheety red top went dead that morning.Then I forgot my paper work.
The referee that day was from Rio Hondo College and was really nice and told me to reschedule at Rio.
I ended up going to Rio Hondo but due to other issues, I had to reschedule again.( Nothing to do with the referee). Over all he was a nice guy and gave me a passing grade. I don't remember his name but he was very helpful. hth

 

[NCFJ]

We do not have to deal with referees in SC so I have no first hand experience. That said, I was a general contractor and have held a builder's license allowing me to build up to 10 story buildings. I also drew blue prints and had them stamped by a structural engineer.

What I found is in all things that depend on a human being to inspect and "grade" my work as pass or fail, be it the woman at the front desk that looks at you over her glasses or the director of the building dept in a large city it pays to be proactive. Defer to their expertise in initial conversations, chat them up. Ask them about any new rules and regulations (codes as a builder) . You will find you may know something they don't, if so, keep that under your hat.

Good luck!

 

[JohnCapoccia]

It's good to know that the Rio Hondo guy is good to work with, since that's the one closest to me. I'll stop in and chat with him a bit. I called the main office this morning asking if I could chat with a referee, they strongly discouraged me from doing so. I told them what I was up to, and they said there should be no problems as long as I have all the do-dads for a. functioning system from the donor vehicle, check engine light, OBD II port etc.

I feel much better about it. I'm going to do my best to do this right from the get-go.

 

[vipergrhd]

Bring an extra sandwich,he/she might be hungry and forgot lunch.

 

[Grumpyhead12]

I just completed the referee process at Miramar College in San Diego. What it boils down to is matching the specs from the donor vehicle to your current vehicle. What I mean is that is has to have all the same parts, from a newer model and similar weight class. My 5.7 came from a 1992 full size blazer. On the first visit the guy noted my cat was not correct and my air cleaner was missing parts.
The guy was very cool and printed me pages from the reference book they use. I was able to get the air cleaner parts from a junk yard and ponied up the cash for a genuine cat at a muffler shop.
I passed the second time withn no problems. All in all the most difficult part of the process was the scheduling because its done through a California agency staffed by clowns and they need to know you are there for an engine swap. Also be aware that it takes a double appointment so bring a book because you will be there for a couple of hours.
David

 

[JohnCapoccia]

I just completed the referee process at Miramar College in San Diego. What it boils down to is matching the specs from the donor vehicle to your current vehicle. What I mean is that is has to have all the same parts, from a newer model and similar weight class. My 5.7 came from a 1992 full size blazer. On the first visit the guy noted my cat was not correct and my air cleaner was missing parts.
The guy was very cool and printed me pages from the reference book they use. I was able to get the air cleaner parts from a junk yard and ponied up the cash for a genuine cat at a muffler shop.
I passed the second time withn no problems. All in all the most difficult part of the process was the scheduling because its done through a California agency staffed by clowns and they need to know you are there for an engine swap. Also be aware that it takes a double appointment so bring a book because you will be there for a couple of hours.
David

Thanks David, that's helpful. On a side note, Are you using the original FJ62 shifer adapted to the 4L60E or did you install an aftermarket shifter?

John

 

[Grumpyhead12]

John,
I didn't do the original install. The current trans is a 700r4 and has a B&M shifter. In early summer I am going to swap the current drivetrain for a 5.3 LS and 4L60 and plan to use the same shifter.
David