C43 to C55 swap and CA smog
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
I imagine that if you keep the cats, that should get you through the emission controls. I have heard that California does have some stringent legislation, but what makes you think a C43 to C55 conversion would not meet emission controls?
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From: Palatine, IL
Speedriven
The C43 is a desirable collector's car, as is the C55. Swapping a 55 motor into a 43 doesn't add value to the C43 - it makes it a mutt. I would sell the C43 and either find a solid C55 or else (if all you can find is a motor) swap that into a solid W202. You'll probably have less in it that you can get for the C43, and you'll be adding value to the 202, rather than cutting up a limited-edition collector car.
Just my $0.02. Happy to give thoughts/advice on either build.
Just my $0.02. Happy to give thoughts/advice on either build.
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From: Fallon, NV
BMW and Mercedes
The C43 is a desirable collector's car, as is the C55. Swapping a 55 motor into a 43 doesn't add value to the C43 - it makes it a mutt. I would sell the C43 and either find a solid C55 or else (if all you can find is a motor) swap that into a solid W202. You'll probably have less in it that you can get for the C43, and you'll be adding value to the 202, rather than cutting up a limited-edition collector car.
Just my $0.02. Happy to give thoughts/advice on either build.
Just my $0.02. Happy to give thoughts/advice on either build.
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
The C43 is a desirable collector's car, as is the C55. Swapping a 55 motor into a 43 doesn't add value to the C43 - it makes it a mutt. I would sell the C43 and either find a solid C55 or else (if all you can find is a motor) swap that into a solid W202. You'll probably have less in it that you can get for the C43, and you'll be adding value to the 202, rather than cutting up a limited-edition collector car.
Just my $0.02. Happy to give thoughts/advice on either build.
Just my $0.02. Happy to give thoughts/advice on either build.
On the other hand, swapping a 55 motor into a C43 is going to be a LOT more straightforward than doing the swap with any other w202 donor. Quite a few folks around here have done the swap, and I think all have been very happy with the results. C43's have a limited collectors appeal, but right now (w/ C43's being normally in the 8-12k range), you aren't going to save any money doing it the hard way.
I don't think the OP was concerned with making his C43 into a "mutt" but rather trying to decide which route would be the best to go with regard to $$$$. I think the 55 swap would be the best bang for his buck as he would be spending a couple extra grand to turn his crippled C43 into what it should have been from the factory, a C55. I'm sure down the road (30-50 years from now) the C43 will be worth some coin IF it is in mint condition which obviously the OP's is not having blown a plug and all. Either way Flynavy is right the 55 swap would be way less of a headache with the C43 rather than any old W202, not to mention the brakes, the suspension, the tranny, etc...
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Thread Starter
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2006 C230, 2005 Saab 92x
There's visual and emissions testing. Not worried about the emissions, but with the visual is there anything that would be a give away with the swap that could be identified as not being stock?
Didn't know if anyone had done the swap and lived in CA and had dealt with this.
Didn't know if anyone had done the swap and lived in CA and had dealt with this.
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From: Erff
C43
Motor has to to be from a newer car...not even same year. You MUST have every hose, cap, plug, fitting, etc as per manufacturers specs all from SAME year of engine. A newer throttle body that the donor engine will NOT be allowed. Of course ALL the smog stuff must be there. You will have to go to the Smog Ref to get a BAR sticker. NO MATTER what, even if everything is PERFECT they will make you come back a couple of times just to flex their muscle. Been there, done that.
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2006 C230, 2005 Saab 92x
Thanx CatButt, that part I read about researching engine swaps and CA emissions. But will an inspector know that a different engine has been swapped in visually, from the sounds of it the engine is almost identical. Is there anything that would tip them off?
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From: Erff
C43
If you are trying to get a BAR sticker the ref...well anytime you go to a ref for an inspection they will know. They will get engine number and figure it out. You don't NEED to get it BARed unless you get a cop that pulls you over and thinks there is some funny biz going on OR when you go to get smogged. STAY AWAY from the ref at all costs. If you can get past smog then no worries...might be an issue when you go to sell it (if it is an out of state car or some other situations the DMV will actually inspect for VIN and engine numbers and if they don't match the title you will need to explain and likely be sent to ref).
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From: Bay Area, CA
98 C43, 15 Alfa 4C LE, 18 Tesla Model 3 DM Perf, 08 Duc S1000, 02 Duc 998, 98 Duc 748, 01 Miata
The external appearance is exactly the same. So unless they dig into the number plates, you wouldn't be able to tell.
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
If you are trying to get a BAR sticker the ref...well anytime you go to a ref for an inspection they will know. They will get engine number and figure it out. You don't NEED to get it BARed unless you get a cop that pulls you over and thinks there is some funny biz going on OR when you go to get smogged. STAY AWAY from the ref at all costs. If you can get past smog then no worries...might be an issue when you go to sell it (if it is an out of state car or some other situations the DMV will actually inspect for VIN and engine numbers and if they don't match the title you will need to explain and likely be sent to ref).
(1) You're just a regular guy who has a stock car with a smog oddity. In that case, they are there to help.
And
(2) You've intentionally changed something and you're going to experience all the joys that go with "legal modifications".
You'll have to do something extraordinarily to have to see a ref. The two ways that I know of are to get flagged you as a gross polluter (which a smog shop can do) or **** off the police/CHP (they can write a ticket from the Health & Safety code that will cause your eyes to bleed). I'm sure there are other ways.
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Best advice ever. I've been in front of a ref and the one I met had two modes:
(1) You're just a regular guy who has a stock car with a smog oddity. In that case, they are there to help.
And
(2) You've intentionally changed something and you're going to experience all the joys that go with "legal modifications".
You'll have to do something extraordinarily to have to see a ref. The two ways that I know of are to get flagged you as a gross polluter (which a smog shop can do) or **** off the police/CHP (they can write a ticket from the Health & Safety code that will cause your eyes to bleed). I'm sure there are other ways.
(1) You're just a regular guy who has a stock car with a smog oddity. In that case, they are there to help.
And
(2) You've intentionally changed something and you're going to experience all the joys that go with "legal modifications".
You'll have to do something extraordinarily to have to see a ref. The two ways that I know of are to get flagged you as a gross polluter (which a smog shop can do) or **** off the police/CHP (they can write a ticket from the Health & Safety code that will cause your eyes to bleed). I'm sure there are other ways.
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
California is easy. Keep the original parts and swap them back as needed. I had a certain car that needed a 2 hour prep for smog. The headers and half the exhaust was replaced with OEM exhaust manifolds and cats. The OE air cleaner was reinstalled, and the aftermarket Mallory ignition system was pulled. This was done once every 24 months.
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From: Germany
C43 AMG 5.5 - 396.4HP
I have a certification for 5.5 AMG engine in C43, but it is for german Tüv... so I think, it won't help you.
But some info, that might help you... If the ECU is adapted to the engine, exhausting system is fine (no leakage) emission is good.
The Tüv inspector told me, he had no chance to see or hear, if it is a 4.3 or 5.5 engine.
But some info, that might help you... If the ECU is adapted to the engine, exhausting system is fine (no leakage) emission is good.
The Tüv inspector told me, he had no chance to see or hear, if it is a 4.3 or 5.5 engine.
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
Isn't it ironic that the land where hot rodding was effectively born now also has some of the most stringent emissions regulations for cars? I love California, and have always enjoyed my visits there. Car culture is great there too, lots of nice cars and nice roads. But with so many people living there, I suppose it's only prudent to keep a lid on emissions as much as possible.
It's in stark contrast to my province of Alberta, where there is no provincial sales tax because of oil and gas revenues for the provincial government. And because the oil and gas industry has such strong lobbying with the government, and because of the revenue generated, emissions is pretty lax. We have lots of old clunkers on the roads that would be banned in most other jurisdictions I suspect. And I've run aftermarket engine management that has no concern for emissions or mileage, no cats, big exhausts on my Saabs and the authorities don't care or check - unless the neighbour b*tchs because it's too loud!
It's in stark contrast to my province of Alberta, where there is no provincial sales tax because of oil and gas revenues for the provincial government. And because the oil and gas industry has such strong lobbying with the government, and because of the revenue generated, emissions is pretty lax. We have lots of old clunkers on the roads that would be banned in most other jurisdictions I suspect. And I've run aftermarket engine management that has no concern for emissions or mileage, no cats, big exhausts on my Saabs and the authorities don't care or check - unless the neighbour b*tchs because it's too loud!
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From: Erff
C43
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From: Los Angeles, CA
2000 C230 Kompressor Sport
California is easy. Keep the original parts and swap them back as needed. I had a certain car that needed a 2 hour prep for smog. The headers and half the exhaust was replaced with OEM exhaust manifolds and cats. The OE air cleaner was reinstalled, and the aftermarket Mallory ignition system was pulled. This was done once every 24 months.
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From: Dallas, Texas
W203 C55 and SAAB 9-3 2.0T
You can't have an aftermarket exhaust in cali? I'm very confused... Maybe I don't want to live there... Texas is pretty bad but you can have an engine swap and all new exhaust as long as your not showing a cel...
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Doesn't Texas require safety tests every year? In the Texas counties that require smog tests, isn't that done every year too?
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From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
