Americas Most Wanted 4x4 425 Swap in California

[N6WT]

I had to have the 3.6 replaced in my JT Rubi back in December 2025 due to a cracked engine block at 40000 miles.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/got-the-bad-news-today.103414/

I have the JT back with about 3000 miles on the remanufactured motor. I am smelling coolant. I have taken it back to the dealer, and they claim there is no leak after a pressure test. I really have lost faith in this motor.

My plan is the next year is to get an AMW 425 conversion. I called for a quote and was told the conversion is not 100% CA legal. They said it will pass all smog tests except for the visual test, because my model year did not have a V8 option. He did say that there are a bunch of people here in CA who have Jeeps with their V8 in them. He was not sure how they were passing the smog test.

This is my question: if you live in CA with an AMW V8 conversion, how are you passing the visual smog inspection?

Thanks
Kent

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[BourbonRunner]

Jeep Speed Shop claims their 5.7L V8 swaps are CARB compliant. Onyl downside is the price doesn't include the motor or transmission. https://jeepspeedshop.com/product/california-carb-compliant-vvt-v8-5-7l-hemi-swap-kit/

 

[Lochsa]

Subscribed. My 3.6 is full of metal from chewed cams. If I could do this in California I would. Wish there was a way.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

It can be legal, it just has to get through a referee in California. As long as it can get passed it’s 100% legal. Having said that there’s a better chance of snowstorms in hell than getting it through a referee with the current policies in place. JSS goes through this on one of his videos as far as legality. There are specific parts needed to do this.

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

First time I've seen a shop offering it (JSS). And that's for Gladiators, not just Wranglers? Because my understanding is Wrangler swaps were common place in CA since it's a factory option (you have to match it, but it unblocks a huge amount of the battle).

Even Magnuson still hasn't updated their kit to be CARB compliant for 2021+. They told me last August that it would be end of the year, and a couple months ago they said middle of this year...and well...where are we?

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

It has to do with the allocation of how many of certain emissions code engines are in the system or something like that. I didn’t fully understand it but it’s very dependent on the referee. If you know someone who does custom cars or can contact someone who does they’d have more real time knowledge experience with it.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I had to have the 3.6 replaced in my JT Rubi back in December 2025 due to a cracked engine block at 40000 miles.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/got-the-bad-news-today.103414/

I have the JT back with about 3000 miles on the remanufactured motor. I am smelling coolant. I have taken it back to the dealer, and they claim there is no leak after a pressure test. I really have lost faith in this motor.

My plan is the next year is to get an AMW 425 conversion. I called for a quote and was told the conversion is not 100% CA legal. They said it will pass all smog tests except for the visual test, because my model year did not have a V8 option. He did say that there are a bunch of people here in CA who have Jeeps with their V8 in them. He was not sure how they were passing the smog test.

This is my question: if you live in CA with an AMW V8 conversion, how are you passing the visual smog inspection?

Thanks
Kent

From what has been posted here, they are not passing the smog test. They are getting by, for now, due to the length of time between the purchase of a new vehicle and when the first smog test is required. The V8 swap in California is not allowed for the Gladiator under current CARB rules.

 

[DirkG]

And yet another example of why the state I live in sucks grossly infected monkey ass.

 

[Tripp]

Register in Montana?

 

[Mr._Bill]

Register in Montana?

Then you have residency, insurance, and other issues.

 

[Tripp]

Then you have residency, insurance, and other issues.

You’re right, better option just move out of Cali

 

[N6WT]

You’re right, better option just move out of Cali

Truly wish I could.

 

[BlackRuby23]

Subscribed. My 3.6 is full of metal from chewed cams. If I could do this in California I would. Wish there was a way.

Your 2024 ate the cams? Wow, I thought this issue had been resolved.

 

[g8tor2020]

The shop I take my gladiator to has done 2 AMW swaps all CA vehicles. I know personally if my motor fails I plan to do the AMW swap using them. As far as smog goes I'll worry about that when the time comes.

There are several ways people do it, legally and illegally. You can always go the Montana route it's not hard honestly you can even google it and theres websites that show you.

Then theres the illegal way, theres tons of shady shops that will pass you if the price is right .

 

[CrazyCooter]

I gotta wonder if people are registering in one of the few counties that does not require biannual emissions inspections? Lassen, Modoc, Humboldt, Mendocino, Del Norte, Siskiyou, or Imperial counties (might be more) only smog at purchase. You also get a 5 model year pass on new gas vehicles.

Doesnt make it legal, but nobody is checking......

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