My '94 3.0 needs a valve job, so I decided to research an engine swap. My mechanic had me contact B.A.R. in California and to put it simply, it can't be done. I spoke to the tech person at B.A.R. for almost an hour, and to sum it up, you have to install a California spec motor, not change any of the wiring, and maintain all the emissions adding that may involve swapping the gas tank. Off-course anything is possible, but I got the message that B.A.R. will make it as difficult as possible. He suggested installing a diesel, because they do not need to be smog certification, if I did any engine swapping. I guess I will have to keep the 3.slow or move to another state.

 

This is not true. I'm in california and have done the research including talking to a local referee and a smog shop. You do not need to relocate the gas tank. There are plug n play wiring kits for the 3.0 to 3.4 swap. Simply put your motor in the vehicle, adjust the hood so it shuts ( with spacers in the brackets ) and hook up the wiring. after that. buy a pre fabbed crossover that drops to the driver side. ( or buy doug thorley long tube headers and route it your own way ) and buy the stock exhaust. the only thing that will need to be fabbed is the piping from the CAT back. It will pass smog if done correctly.

 

x2 on it can be done, Ive seen a few people on here who live in California and have done the swap....

 

Don't know what "tech" you spoke to, but many people here have done the swap and passed. Here in Orange County the refs are quite possibly the strictest in the state and we are in the Enhanced smog program area to boot, and I passed. Took three tries, but I passed and my donor was from a vehicle with out of state registration no less. You'll need to do your research and play by the book from the start. Good luck.

 

Check the link in my sig, these guys are in Ore. and really know this business about 3.4 swaps.

 

I have came across at least a half dozen that have successfully done it legally when I was doing my research. DNTSDAD I believe is in CA and has done both an automatic and manual swap on the same truch with BAR in CA. Search around on here for BAR and California, you'll find some good info.

 

It can be done, When I was taking Engine rebuilding & Brakes/suspension courses @ my local community college this last semester we shared the building with the local Smog Ref named Herbe here in Santa Barbara. Herbe told me I was good to go as long as I installed the emissions related parts, also I asked about switching to a Manual as I have a Auto at the moment. He told me as long as it was an option on the type of vehicle that the engine was pulled from your GTG.

 

man i would love to have a 3.4

do yo guys you stock axles with the much power? I know tire size would play a hugh part breaking stuff if it does

 

The guy you talked to was wrong. ANYTHING can be swapped as long as the original emissions carries over to the "new" vehicle.

I can think of 6 swaps off the top of my head that were done in California and a few of them were even able to get away without swapping the exhaust to the other side. I was not so lucky but now its all good and legal.

There is a 3.4 swap forum here and it has the most collective amount of information of anyplace on the internet.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f160...ex-cab-196823/

Cadman's swap (the best on the net for a clean install IMO)
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f160...splant-143516/

 

We all know the BAR tech is a State of Ca. employee, so we know were he's coming from, enough said. He did take his time to fill me with carp, anyway. I reviewed members swaps, and the bottom line is it can be done, but it is a project and best done on a spare truck. My truck is used daily and I need to get it back on the road quickly. Great nfo guys.