2.7T Avant Swap in CA

[glennda5id]

I am planning on performing a B7 2.7T swap but realized I might have issues with emissions inspection in CA. Has anyone performed this swap out here?

I understand that swapping in an older model year motor into a newer car is not smog legal in CA.

It seems that if I were to swap a 3.2 Avant, that the average station is not going to notice the difference. Besides pulling readiness data and VIN, does the emission scan pull any information from the PCM about engine type? I assume this information can only be pulled with VagCom tools.

3.2 are harder to find, would swapping a 2.0T be asking for trouble when I go to get an inspection?

I really want to do this build!

[rhfosu]

I am planning on performing a B7 2.7T swap but realized I might have issues with emissions inspection in CA. Has anyone performed this swap out here?

I understand that swapping in an older model year motor into a newer car is not smog legal in CA.

It seems that if I were to swap a 3.2 Avant, that the average station is not going to notice the difference. Besides pulling readiness data and VIN, does the emission scan pull any information from the PCM about engine type? I assume this information can only be pulled with VagCom tools.

3.2 are harder to find, would swapping a 2.0T be asking for trouble when I go to get an inspection?

I really want to do this build!

People swap engines in CA. As long as you pass readiness checks, you should be fine. The tech at the service station isn't going to say "YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A 4 CYLINDER!", and no, the emissions equipment doesn't cross reference engine codes with your vin. Of course, nobody is going to tell you this for sure, and in theory you are ALWAYS screwed if you swap an engine per regs. The reality is, as long as you have cats and can pass the checks, you will probably be ok.

[glennda5id]

My thinking was originally along the lines you mentioned, but as I started reading I was hearing horror stories for things as simple as different intake pipes. I do plan to keep this stock looking and I will have cats.

Thank you for the followup!

[KRDVS]

Let me help as i live in CA. Smog is a pain in the rear. CA smog is very strict and you more than likely wont pass even with cats. My suggestion is dont do the swap until after you've registered your car here. there are a few cities in some of the counties that DO NOT REQUIRE SMOG. A lot of people do not know this but if you have the vehicles physical address in one of these Zip codes you can use a different address for mailing. I have several cars set up this way so they keep a California plate. Ill place the Smog info from the CA DMV below for more references. Good Luck on the swap!

https://www.dmv.org/ca-california/smog-check.php (has a zip checker)

https://www.bar.ca.gov/Consumer/Smog_Check_Program_General_Information.aspx#:~:tex t=Smog%20Checks%20are%20required%20biennially,the% 20first%20time%20in%20California. (this gives you what they look for)