Illegality

[matt0941]

Hi I am normally on the 240SX.org boards but have not been able to get this question answered there. I know that neither the KA-T or the SR is street legal in my car (S14A). My question is, what is the possibility that I will get arrest/car-impounded/fined for either of these. I mean is it pretty much a 99.9% safe route to go swapping an SR motor in and driving it around or have people actually gotten in trouble for this. If anyone knows any specific incidents of people getting busted I would appreciate hearing about it.

Matt

[Kid Zelda]

If you are worried, then don’t do it, simple as that.

Otherwise every time you see a police car, you're going to be sweating it.

But yeah, in your case, if you had to go turbo, go with KA-T that way if you EVER do get caught, you can just unbolt the turbo kit and show them your car is back to normal.

[Jeff240sx]

It really all depends on where you live. If you live in a terrible place (california)... you're pretty much screwed.
I live in FL with my KA-T.. and it doesn't matter what I have in there. I could drop a Viper V-10 in, or a Cummins Turbo Diesel in my car... nobody cares.
Heh. In my Corvette, I got pulled over, and had my Nitrous Oxide Systems sticker next to my nitrous switch... (Shut-up! I had NOS before F&F) and the cop asked if I really had nitrous. Then he wanted to look under the hood and was extremely cool about my drag car cruising down the street. No smog crap anywhere, exhaust cut-outs hanging around, nitrous, it doesn't matter.
Anyway.. check your local DMV for rules about that.
-Jeff

[SilviaDriver]

Originally posted by Jeff240sx
It really all depends on where you live. If you live in a terrible place (california)... you're pretty much screwed.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! werd

you can swap in CA, there are so many things you can get away with in this state. you will MOST LIKELY get caught if you hang around the street races etc..but if you stay away and drive normally, im pretty sure you can avoid getting caught.

[thelinja]

I have a question about legality too. What exactly makes the SR20 or KA-t illegal? I'm assuming emissions.

[matt0941]

Well I live in the Chicago area and would like to know who can really bust me. Say that I pass emissions with the SR and I get pulled over. Can the cop say "Hey, pop the hood" Either way I doubt he would know the difference besides a stock motor and an SR. But yea KA-T you could just go back to stock, but with the SR I would assume that you are pretty much f***ed

[SilviaDriver]

Originally posted by thelinja
I have a question about legality too. What exactly makes the SR20 or KA-t illegal? I'm assuming emissions.

well here in CA. all aftermarket turbo kits are illegal, except for the CARB GReddy turbo kits.

FOR OFF-ROAD USE ONLY

[uiuc240]

Originally posted by matt0941
Well I live in the Chicago area and would like to know who can really bust me. Say that I pass emissions with the SR and I get pulled over. Can the cop say "Hey, pop the hood" Either way I doubt he would know the difference besides a stock motor and an SR. But yea KA-T you could just go back to stock, but with the SR I would assume that you are pretty much f***ed

Only problem in Chicago is the emissions testing. Make sure you keep a cat on your SR for that reason. Downstate in Champaign (hence UIUC), no one cares. They don't have any testing for license plates...it's sweet. Too bad I'm moving to Chicago in a few months Oh well...in about a year, the car will be off the streets anyway. Time to buy a beater!!!

So yeah, don't worry about the cops. I've never been hassled for ANYTHING in Illinois and I have 20% tint all around, it's lowered, I have an N1 dual exhaust, and...oh yeah...turbo. Hehehe.

Eric

[misnomer]

Haw haw, freaking fascist californian laws and regulations :P

*gives it up for rural Nevada*

[AKADriver]

Originally posted by thelinja
I have a question about legality too. What exactly makes the SR20 or KA-t illegal? I'm assuming emissions.

The SR was never tested for the EPA and CARB.

Aftermarket turbo setups on the KA were never tested for CARB and are considered to defeat emissions controls.

Doesn't mean they run 'dirty', it just means the testing was never performed.

Don't ask how much it costs have the testing done... you can't afford it.

[matt0941]

Well I am still unsure of what to do now. So basically what it comes down to, is how safe is it driving an SR20DET in your 240. If you DID in fact get pulled over after racing, would a cop have your car impounded (possibly) and get inspected for illegality? Has anyone had this done to them?

[uiuc240]

Originally posted by matt0941
Well I am still unsure of what to do now. So basically what it comes down to, is how safe is it driving an SR20DET in your 240. If you DID in fact get pulled over after racing, would a cop have your car impounded (possibly) and get inspected for illegality? Has anyone had this done to them?

Well, first off, racing is very much illegal in the first place. But, I can almost 100% guarantee you that in Illinois, the car would get impounded for RACING...not for having an illegal motor. I doubt they'd even pop the hood. But, I've never actually had this happen...I'm just making an educated guess. If you're this worried about it, the SR is *not* for you. On top of that, you're a street racer (prepares to bitch slap).

Moral: you shouldn't get an SR.

Eric

[SilviaDriver]

Originally posted by matt0941
Well I am still unsure of what to do now. So basically what it comes down to, is how safe is it driving an SR20DET in your 240. If you DID in fact get pulled over after racing, would a cop have your car impounded (possibly) and get inspected for illegality? Has anyone had this done to them?

it can be safe driving normally everyday and not showing it off. it all depends on the place you live some places street racing has bigger consequences than other places. here they will pop your hood. makr you down for everything, down to measurement of your height to color of bulbs. if you were street racing they will impound your car, and hold it for wat 30 days?

i agree with uiuc240. your a street racer. this engine isnt for you, if you have all these worries, dont get an SR. if you want an SR best thing to do is keep it off the streets, or stop street racing in all. and take it to the track. whether it be a autox, circuit, or drag to there and do your business rather than on the street with other civilians around. be smart, stop street racing.

[S13Grl]

I'm originally from Chicago. There's quite a few SR swaps over there. You shouldn't have a problem at all, since our cops really don't **** with the technicalities that much. The only thing you'll have issues with is emissions. Lean out on your A/F ratio when passing emissions and you should be good. Otherwise, just don't tempt the cops too much, get a radar detector, don't put a bunch of flashy crap on your car, and you'll be fine.

[christopher]

Even without considering the emissions testing, in most states it is illegal to swap an engine into a car that is newer than the chasis. Why? Not sure. Wont stop me anyways. I don't recomend street racing if you don't want to get caught. Don't even go near 'em. Just drive normal and you will be fine.

[Drifted off road]

so then will the KA+T pass emisions testing or no.
b/c it would really be a hassle to take out the turbo every other year for inspection.

[SilviaDriver]

Originally posted by christopher
most states it is illegal to swap an engine into a car that is newer than the chasis.

oh yea, forgot to state that. in CA you can swap an engine into your car as long as its OLDER than your car. say u have a 96 s14, you can swap in a KA from 96 and down, but you cant swap in a KA from 97+. but only engines that are legal. doesnt applyl to SRs haha

[S13Grl]

Originally posted by Drifted off road
so then will the KA+T pass emisions testing or no.
b/c it would really be a hassle to take out the turbo every other year for inspection.

Someone I know very well passed. Leaned out the air, turned the boost all the way down, and it was done. Passed with flying colors.

[matt0941]

Ahaha you guys are really... I won't say. I am not a street racer, I don't like Vin Diesel and I am not anxious for the release of F&F2. All I was looking for were some testimonials for worst case scenarios. Worst case scenario being some a** impounds my car just for doing a burn out at a light or something, I would like to know if they check the hood and if so then what happens, that type of deal. And if people say "Hey I live in IL, I raced my car, got caught, and they never checked the hood" Then I wouldn't be worried, get it?

[zonedout365]

I would say that you will get mixed testimonials from many people so it all comes down to you. I know a couple of peole with KA-T and some with SR, some have bad luck so dont, meaning that whatever you decide to do, good on you, you know the risks and have to accept the consequences.

[matt0941]

That's just the thing, I don't know the risks. That is why I made this thread, to see if I could find anyone with some experience in the area.

[zonedout365]

I cant tell you based on myself what the risks are being as that I have a stock KA with minor mods, but based on buddies of mine, like other people say if you get caught doing something youre not supposed to, i.e. racing, then chances are you will get your car impounded (if you get caught). I know some people with KA-T's and some with SR's and havent been busted.

[logo20]

why don't you call the police and ask them what would happen if somebody gets caught with the motor? You should know that just by driving safe or even getting pulled over doesn't mean you gonna get your car impounded.

[christopher]

My friend Lee got busted racing his CRX with a GS-R engine in it and the police asked him what he was running, he told them it was stock with an aftermarket exhaust. They ticketed him for speeding and of course for an "illegal speed contest" but they never looked under the hood.


That was here in Minnesota, so here I would not worry.

I don't think most cops are smart enough to know what to look for anyways even if they do look under the hood. Most likely they will overlook the actuall engine and go after the aftermarket upgrades. Unless you have a Toyota engine in your Nissan or some stupid s*&^ like that.

[matt0941]

Yea, I just don't want to go SR swap and get busted. But whatwill get your car impounded? Only street racing or are there other things (BESIDES parking in a fire lane or some stupid cr*p like that) possibly racing on the highway or something. Because even though I would never go street racing and the most "illegal" thing I would do would be race on the highway, I surely wouldn't if I could get my car impounded.

[240 2NR]

Originally posted by christopher
Even without considering the emissions testing, in most states it is illegal to swap an engine into a car that is newer than the chasis.

I think that's backwards. I'm pretty sure the EPA won't have a problem with you swapping the big block out of a 60's muscle car for a hybrid civic engine, but I think they would complain if you dropped an old big block in your civic. You can update, but not back date engines (provided they are DOT tested here in the states). Regardless, the SR20det is illegal in all 50 states. At the same time unless a cop knows that an engine in your nissan isn't already intercooled, I doubt you'll have many issues unless you start bragging about how JDM it is. I probably never would have second guessed a nissan engine in a nissan either. It's not like the turbo is obivious in stock form.

The KA is also technically illegal to turbo as the system is not tested and it requires some manipulation of emmission devices. All this is really worthless anyway. You're either in love with the idea of a turbo'd 240 be it SR or KA powered, and willing to
deal with the hassles, or you are just going to have to make do with atmospheic boost and be like the 95% of drivers who can still enjoy their cars for other features (I just got to drive my 240 again after driving an altima for a few weeks straight and damn if it isn't quick by comparison). It's still a fun car even without a turbo, just not as fast.

You may also wish to search as I know these issues have been covered here (I can't believe we just dug up the horse to beat it again), as well as in the 240.org FAQ.

[graphikg04]

So, all you have to do is set the engine to run lean, and turn the boost all the way down, and then you will pass? That doesnt seem too difficult. And if a cop looks under the hood, just say, "Oh ya. I panted the cover of the engine, so it just looks red. And the words that say 'intercooled' increase 25hp and makes my engine run cooler so it doesnt overheat. And about that snail looking thingy, I never noticed it. Since it looks like a snail, it probably makes my car slower anyway, you know?" The cop wont have a clue, and just believe what you say. I am sure. LOL PEACE

graphikG

[drift freaq]

oh yea, forgot to state that. in CA you can swap an engine into your car as long as its OLDER than your car. say u have a 96 s14, you can swap in a KA from 96 and down, but you cant swap in a KA from 97+. but only engines that are legal. doesnt applyl to SRs haha

oops ... you got it backwards, you can swap an engine that is newer into your car here in California. Provided it is the same model of engine that came in your chassis. So yes a 96 S14 KA could be swapped into a 91 S13 but you would have to connect up 91 electronics, smog and ecu to the engine to make it legal.
you could put a 91 KA into a 96 for the fact that the engine itself is basically enough the same. It would work provided you hooked up 96 electronics, smog and ecu to it.
Most cops do not know what SR's look like or your stock engine looks like . Unless you are at street races they are not going to ask to look under your hood. Of course if your car is blatant then they may. I do know from the old days back in Santa Clara on the strip (EL Camino Real) that when they would pull people over for racing they would just write them exhibition of speed tickets.
Of course the way street races are organized these days the cops look at it a lot differently.
Word up, don't street race and you should be fine.

[uiuc240]

Originally posted by graphikg04
So, all you have to do is set the engine to run lean, and turn the boost all the way down, and then you will pass? That doesnt seem too difficult. And if a cop looks under the hood, just say, "Oh ya. I panted the cover of the engine, so it just looks red. And the words that say 'intercooled' increase 25hp and makes my engine run cooler so it doesnt overheat. And about that snail looking thingy, I never noticed it. Since it looks like a snail, it probably makes my car slower anyway, you know?" The cop wont have a clue, and just believe what you say. I am sure. LOL PEACE

graphikG

Basically, yeah, since the likelihood of a cop knowing what a "normal" 240 engine is like is slim. Not many people know about these cars...and I would guess that in all states except Cali, they would have no clue it wasn't the right motor. Only way to really give things away would be to put in a V6 or anything non-Nissan. Honestly, with the heat shield on, there is basically no way to tell there is a turbo down there. Well, except for the fact that there's all that piping...but if people don't know how turbos work, they'll have no idea.

Eric

[matt0941]

Yea I suppose, but if I upgraded my turbo.... anyways, I did do a search here and nothing came up and please don't ask me to check 240.org FAQ because it is not in there and I am a frequent member of that board (about every 2 hours).