Ontario Engine Swap Laws

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Root Moose

Guest
What is the current guidance on engine swap laws/policy in Ontario?

Say you have a North American spec 4x4 that has a gas V8 and you wanted to swap in a Eurospec diesel. What is the process? For the sake of discussion I am talking about a modern EFI V8, mid 2000s vintage.

What is "hotrod" status from an emissions point of view?

Is there a law/policy on the books that says the swapped in engine has to have at least the same emissions controls as the engine that was removed? How would this...
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Farm Boy

Farm Boy

Bought the Farm
I'm not a particulary reliable source on this subject, so take my understanding with a grain of salt.....

If the swaped in engine is older than the vehicle, it must meet emissions for the year of the vehicle which may be hard to do.
If the swaped in engine is newer than the vehicle, it is considered and "upgrade" by emission standards so as long as it meets the specs for the year of the vehicle it should be ok. Presumably, the newer engine would be better.
I think this is applicable if the vehicle/engine combo was possible as an OEM combo, just that the particular vehicle in question didn't come that way.

I think the "hotrod" status comes from any non-factory combo ie 5.9 Cummins into a GM truck

If you are in a non-Etest area, does it matter at all?
 
S

szabotage

Well-known member
I had alotta questions like such when trying to get my 'big block' samurai on the road. and decided my best alternative is to just make the vehicle with the swapped engine older than 1988. no conditional pass, no hot rod clause, no e test :eek:

If middleville is in lanark county, you aren't e'test exempt.
 
D

dan_the_man

Guest
For anyone still interested, if you're vehicle is 1999 or older and you swap in an engine not available on your vehicle (5.0 liter Ford into a Chevy or a 350 SBC into an S-10) then you classify as a hotrod and need to pass e-test as your vehicle with 1980 specs. You're still required to have cats on your vehicle but your limits are calculated like you don't have them.

This only works for vehicles 1999 or older, after 2000 model year you have to pass.

Ex-Drive Clean Tester.
 
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