What Are Arizona’s Engine Swap Laws?
At their core, engine swaps come down to taking the motor from one car and putting it into another. The specific details can be complex, but the general concept is actually rather simple. Even so, it’s important to understand that even if swapping isn’t a massive problem in itself, the background issues behind it can be problematic and subject to regulation. For instance, the materials used in engine production are almost always periodized by law. That means that materials used in an engine build can’t come from just any source . If you want to legally use an engine for an engine swap, it has to be one that is street legal in Arizona.
That being the case, an engine swap is supposed to be about improving a car’s overall performance without putting the owner at risk. It’s also not supposed to run afoul of any laws in doing so. Restrictions on which cars you can use as the basis of your engine swap and which engines you can use are all there to ensure this doesn’t happen. It may seem like a lot to deal with, but these restrictions save people a lot of trouble in the long run and ensure that important regulations governing the road aren’t broken.
Legal Rules for Swapping an Engine in Arizona
When considering an engine swap for your vehicle in Arizona, specific legal requirements must be met to ensure compliance with state laws. Arizona is generally friendly to engine swaps as long as they meet emission standards and are properly registered with the Department of Transportation. However, it’s important to check with your local jurisdiction, as some areas may have stricter regulations than others.
Firstly, engine swaps must comply with Arizona’s emissions standards, which vary by county. Generally, all vehicles within the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan area, as well as other populous areas, must pass an emissions test before they can be registered. If your vehicle fails to pass the emissions test, it will not be allowed on the road until all repairs are performed and the vehicle passes a retest.
Additionally, when swapping an engine, it’s crucial to ensure that the engine is legally sourced. Swapping in an engine from a vehicle that has been salvaged or "totaled" is illegal and can lead to fines and other penalties. It’s crucial to keep documentation, such as receipts, for any parts used in the engine swap as they may be requested by the DMV during the inspection process.
If you purchase a new or rebuilt engine, make sure that it comes from a manufacturer or an automotive retailer that complies with state regulations. A self-built or rebuilt engine from recycled parts may also be permissible if it meets the standards set by the DOT and EPA.
When performing an engine swap, you will also need to update your vehicle registration with the DOT to reflect the changes you made. The Department may require that you bring in the new engine for an inspection or may request relevant documentation before they will issue a new registration.
Finally, be aware that engine swaps do not always transfer the original vehicle’s warranty to the new engine. Replacing the engine will typically void the manufacturer’s warranty on the replacement part, unless otherwise stated in the warranty terms.
Emissions Testing and Standards
In Arizona, the emissions that a vehicle can pollute into the air are controlled through emissions standards. These standards give some specifications for what pollutants, how much pollutants, and how often pollutants can be emitted into the air. Emissions testing is done by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality at various testing stations throughout the state. For vehicles that were originally manufactured with a vehicle identification number or a national highway traffic safety administration code that starts with the number 5, emissions testing is done every 12 months. Or every 24 months if the registered owner buys a private certification. For all other vehicles, emissions testing is done every 24 months.
Modifications That Affect Engine Swap Legality
While an engine swap is a type of modification that can impact your vehicle’s compliance with state laws, it is hardly the only one. Beyond emissions systems, there are other modifications that may impact compliance and/or regulations that may apply to the specific parts of your modified vehicle.
For example, if you have modified or swapped your vehicle’s exhaust system, you need to ensure that you are not in violation of state noise ordinances. For turbocharged or supercharged vehicles, modified intake systems can also run afoul of regulations meant to limit sound levels if they increase air velocity levels. Aftermarket setups may also interfere with under-hood clearance, cause problems with fitment, remove parts that reduce noise, or lead to other noise-related issues that can result in failures to comply with your state’s noise ordinances .
These kinds of modifications, particularly some of the more extreme engine swaps for which steps must be taken to accommodate the installation, may be more obvious. However, they can still result in the kind of problems that lead to registrations being denied or revoked. There are also more subtle violations that can occur more passively over time. For instance, if your vehicle has significant rust or is in otherwise poor condition, a law enforcement officer could look at it and assess that it is not safe for road use in its current form. If your vehicle is significantly out of compliance with safety laws because of such modifications, it could go through inspections for safety violations or potential violations of state laws.
Required Documentation and Certification
To ensure that all engine swaps are compliant with state law, a record of the swap must be submitted to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for review. The documentation required for review includes evidence of the vehicle’s current emissions status, certification that the swap meets replacement criteria, and registration information. One of the most frequently-requested documents for ADOT is a Copy 2 of the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO), which, in Arizona, essentially acts as a vehicle’s birth certificate. For imported vehicles, a Copy 2 is not available, so a Container List or Bill of Lading must be submitted, along with a detailed description of the contents of the shipping container. Additional documentation may include a copy of the vehicle registration application, the title number of the vehicle, and a detailed description of the emissions system. If there are any open recalls on the vehicle, details of those are helpful as well.
Once ADOT has approved your submission of the overhaul, the new engine will need to be registered with the state. You will have thirty days from the date the overhaul was completed to submit an updated registration application. If you are currently in the process of completing an overhaul, or if you are planning on completing one in the next few months, make sure to file the paperwork in a timely manner, or you may run into some trouble with authorities.
For more information beyond what is available on the official website of the Arizona Department of Transportation, Chapter 16 of the Arizona Revised Statutes contains a wealth of information regarding the registration of vehicles in the state, while Chapters 28 and 49 outline the emissions testing requirements for new and existing vehicles. Applying for an Executive Exemption Certificate may also be helpful to those who complete several overhauls a year.
Resources for Legal Help
There are a number of resources available to those looking to further their knowledge about Arizona engine replacement laws. One of the first points of contact for someone with a legal question is likely to be the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Specifically , the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is in charge of relocating the engine identified as the primary source of power for the motor vehicle. The MVD can also provide a list of dealers who are licensed in the industry of manufacturing and selling replacement engines and transmissions. If you have purchased a replacement engine from an unlicensed manufacturer, you may be susceptible to fines and penalties from the state government. Those who are in need of legal representation for an engine swap issue in Arizona should immediately contact a trusted Phoenix vehicle inspection attorney.
