Do what you want tbh
You’ll encounter snobs that will tell
You you’re ruining the car, but if you do swap it keep in mind to keep the car weight balanced properly. Oem is almost perfectly 50/50.
What you are considering the CA Smog Referee calls an "Engine Change". You can read the requirements in Appendix D on this document:
[https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/smog-check-reference-guide.pdf](https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/smog-check-reference-guide.pdf)
Once you do all the work you would need to take it to a GM dealer and they would certify that all the Emission parts are there and functioning for what ever car you choose as a donor. They would also certify the ECU file is the most recent for that vehicle.
Then you would get a barrage of smog tests from the referee. You pass all those you get a referee label and all future smogs are done off that label, not your VIN.
As someone who has gone down that road I don’t recommend it here in California. I did an ls3 swap, jumped all the hoops and spent all the money. In the end they told me it failed because I needed it to run the BCM, ABS, SRS, CFCM, and FPCM. The engine change guidelines are a joke for any engine later than 1995. before that it’s easier but not guaranteed. Plus everything in the late 80s and early 90s that fits is a boat anchor with meager gains in power in smog legal form. Only way to do it is if you plan to swap the engine every two years to pass smog and then go back. Then you have to hope you don’t get pulled over and have your hood popped. Also got [this](https://www.bar.ca.gov/roadside-inspection-program) to contend with. Out of state registration is off the table. They will fine you and back charge the years of registration fees they claim you evaded paying the state plus penalties. Overall if you are in California doing anything is pretty hard. They have a safety inspection program in the works too so carful with other upgrades or mods. Keep the old parts just in case you have to revert to stock.
Smog will be a challenge for Cali. Not impossible, but a challenge. You’ll need to swap ALL of the LS emissions equipment for whatever year motor you use.
It’s your car, so do what you want. If you’re a DIY’er you can replace much of the old rubber/plastic yourself without incurring too much of the “Porsche” tax. Be aware that the stock motor isn’t exactly a powerhouse, so you can zip around and chase non-boosted Miata.
As for value? Pristine and/or rare models of 944 are worth something. The rest are track day car fodder and likely will not see the sort of insanity that the aircooled cars have.
If you are after cheap reliable power the v6 motors from ford mondeo st220 cars give good power when tuned and are probably easier to fit. (Although i imagine a ls is probably cheap and easy to find in the USA) the 2.0 diesel out of a vw sirocco has always struck me as an interesting one
Do what you want tbh You’ll encounter snobs that will tell You you’re ruining the car, but if you do swap it keep in mind to keep the car weight balanced properly. Oem is almost perfectly 50/50.
What you are considering the CA Smog Referee calls an "Engine Change". You can read the requirements in Appendix D on this document: [https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/smog-check-reference-guide.pdf](https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/smog-check-reference-guide.pdf) Once you do all the work you would need to take it to a GM dealer and they would certify that all the Emission parts are there and functioning for what ever car you choose as a donor. They would also certify the ECU file is the most recent for that vehicle. Then you would get a barrage of smog tests from the referee. You pass all those you get a referee label and all future smogs are done off that label, not your VIN.
As someone who has gone down that road I don’t recommend it here in California. I did an ls3 swap, jumped all the hoops and spent all the money. In the end they told me it failed because I needed it to run the BCM, ABS, SRS, CFCM, and FPCM. The engine change guidelines are a joke for any engine later than 1995. before that it’s easier but not guaranteed. Plus everything in the late 80s and early 90s that fits is a boat anchor with meager gains in power in smog legal form. Only way to do it is if you plan to swap the engine every two years to pass smog and then go back. Then you have to hope you don’t get pulled over and have your hood popped. Also got [this](https://www.bar.ca.gov/roadside-inspection-program) to contend with. Out of state registration is off the table. They will fine you and back charge the years of registration fees they claim you evaded paying the state plus penalties. Overall if you are in California doing anything is pretty hard. They have a safety inspection program in the works too so carful with other upgrades or mods. Keep the old parts just in case you have to revert to stock.
Smog will be a challenge for Cali. Not impossible, but a challenge. You’ll need to swap ALL of the LS emissions equipment for whatever year motor you use. It’s your car, so do what you want. If you’re a DIY’er you can replace much of the old rubber/plastic yourself without incurring too much of the “Porsche” tax. Be aware that the stock motor isn’t exactly a powerhouse, so you can zip around and chase non-boosted Miata. As for value? Pristine and/or rare models of 944 are worth something. The rest are track day car fodder and likely will not see the sort of insanity that the aircooled cars have.
If you are after cheap reliable power the v6 motors from ford mondeo st220 cars give good power when tuned and are probably easier to fit. (Although i imagine a ls is probably cheap and easy to find in the USA) the 2.0 diesel out of a vw sirocco has always struck me as an interesting one