"In CA, you cannot legally swap an older engine into a newer car. It used to be that you could do that as long as you had all of the emissions equipment (with a broad definition of that!) from the chassis. Even earlier, you could do that and use the emissions equipment only from the engine. But they changed the rules to say you simply cannot do it now."
The laws in California are the same as Oregon and pretty much every where else on this and that is if you have a car older than 1975 you are exempt! In other words it does not matter where you live in California if you have a car or kit car that is older than 1975 you can put whatever engine you like in it! You could also build a Trike kit car and put whatever you want into it since 3 wheels is considered a motorcycle and is also exempt! All the worries of an engine swap can be eliminated with the right initial vehicle choice! Any diesel vehicle prior to 1977 is exempt also..
Here is the link to the vehicles that are California exempt!
Link =
California Smog Checks - Emissions Regulations, CA Smog Testing Stations at DMV.org: The DMV Made Simple
GH
