I think we will be running into this more and more as more states move to
implement cleaner air regulations imposed by the EPA. It's not personal to
Vanagon/Subaru swaps, it's going to apply to any conversions after a certain
year model. Every state will be different. It sounds like Nevada is going to
a dyno/loaded mode test regimen like CAL. Hopefully they will be more
accepting of conversions than CAL and make reasonable regulations to
accommodate them. Good luck.
From: subaruvanagon@... [mailto:subaruvanagon@...]
On Behalf Of HermannG
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2012 11:12 AM
To: subaruvanagon@...
Subject: [subaruvanagon] NV DMV documentation, Vanagon engine conversion to
Subaru,
I have done my own engine conversion in Reno, NV in mid- 2002.
I did contact the Reno branch of the NV DMV, and to the best of my
recollection, he did not seem to be very interested in this conversion,
though he did give me some documentation, with the remark that if ever I do
have a problem, to keep the pages he gave me available.
Yesterday I tied to renew my registration, smog inspection, was told there
are new regulations that required verification of the legality of the
conversion.
In typical fashion of bureaucratic efficiency, they could not find the
information I gave this agent, who was not present at the rime.
I am not sure about this, but seem to remember there was little interest in
documenting this reconversion at that time, but the smog criteria were
passed with ease, less than 10% of the limits over the last 4 years.
When trying to make the point that this engine was far more cleaner burning
than the limits (or the VW engine results for that matter) the answer I got
was 'these are no-load results' as if the nominal limits were not calibrated
to no-load engines.
Anyone on this board familiar with these new sudden interest in VW / Subaru
engine swaps??
Is VW trying to stem the loss in business from Subaru replacement engines??
Any information is welcome.
