It is common for engines to have two different versions pertaining to emissions. Sometimes this is as simple as an EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) – take the exhaust and run it through the engine to burn it again so it comes out cleaner. Sometimes this is as simple as different intake manifolds and maybe some fuel injectors (Subaru EJ253 engines, Toyota 2AZ-FE engines, etc). These are parts that can often be swapped or plugged. They are interchangeable with minor modification.
Then, there are engines that will not under any normal circumstances (read: without extensive expert modifications) interchange between emissions standards. A Toyota 2.2L 5S-FE engines with California emissions cannot be used in a vehicle with Federal emissions, and vice versa. A 3.1L Chevy Malibu engine with Federal Emissions cannot be used in a Chevy Malibu with California emissions and vice versa. The list goes on.
You might be asking what California emissions are, and what Federal emissions are. Federal emissions are the Federally mandated pollution standards that auto manufacturers have to meet nationwide. A vehicle with Federal emissions cannot release over a certain number of particulates per million into the atmosphere, and some cities/counties are under Federal mandate to inspect the vehicles of their residents before they issue tags or tag renewals. If the vehicle fails to pass, it must be fixed under these mandates. Federal emissions vehicles cannot be sold new in areas with California emissions. I’ll be honest and admit that I’m not certain if someone who owns a vehicle with Federal emissions can move to an area that requires California emissions and keep their vehicle.
California emissions vehicles have stricter emissions standards – they have to release fewer particulates per million than their comparable Federal counterparts. Don’t let the name “California emissions” trick you though – New York and many states in New England require vehicles to have California emissions some years. It can get confusing.
So how do you identify what you have? There are a few ways. You can call your local dealership (read: the dealer that sells your brand of vehicle) with your VIN and they can decode it. A simpler way is to open up your hood (or bonnet, for our English brethren), and look on either the apron or the bottom side of the hood. There will be a tag there.
Here is how to decode that tag. 48 state emissions = Federal emissions. 50 State Emissions = California Emissions.
One last thing. Don’t assume that just because you’re in a state that doesn’t require California emissions that you will have a Federal emissions vehicle. It is perfectly legal to sell California emissions vehicles everywhere, and sometimes they slip into states that don’t require them!
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