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Engine Swap Out & Dealing With California

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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AKVolvoTwo
Posts: 2
Joined: 20 December 2010
Year and Model: 1996 850 Estate
Location: Anchorage, Alaska

Engine Swap Out & Dealing With California

Post by AKVolvoTwo »

Last year we had the engine swapped out on our 1996 850 Turbo by an independent mechanic in Anchorage, AK. Same type of engine, less miles, no modifications, etc. We are relocating to California later on this year, and our mechanic said that the engine swap out may pose a problem, as it wasn't done in California & may not be considered legal. From what I can figure out, we are supposed to get the work inspected by a "referee", hope it passes, get it smogged, obtain a vehicle verification form from the DMV and of course pay all the late fees (out of state vehicle penalty is how I interpret it), sales tax based on how much we paid 4 years ago, etc. through the DMV. Anyone have any issues in CA with engine swap outs, dealing with the DMV, etc?

polskamafia mjl
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Year and Model: 1995 Volvo 854 T-5R
Location: Hershey, PA
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Post by polskamafia mjl »

No, but if you had another P80 turbo motor put in and the OBDII system is working correctly no one will notice it isn't the original motor. Make your move and when it comes time to get the car inspected/smogged simply go do that.
'All my money is gone and I have an old Volvo.' - Bamse's Turbo Underpants

Current: 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Manual - Bringing it back from the brink of death
Previous: 1996 Volvo 850 GLT - Totaled

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