Roush 402IR-C

[bdeutsch]

Honestly not sure if this is the best place to post questions about this particular engine, but if it is not, apologies.

As mentioned in other posts, I am getting ready to pull the pin on purchasing a Shelby CSX 4000. Living in California, I have extremely concerned about the whole DMV registration process and in-turn, doing what I can to make registering the car as simple as possible.

Towards that end, dealer I am working with is suggesting that the Roush 402IR-C would likely be the best route to take primarily because it complies with current CARB requirements.

Would appreciate all views on this, particularly from members who are running this engine in California; did it really help in the registration process, any problems, etc., etc.

As always, appreciate you sharing your experience.

Thanks,

Bob

[ByronRACE]

Do you know about SB-100?

If not, that's the way to register a Cobra replica in CA and do away with all the grief regarding emissions control.

Take a look at my build: Blown/Injected, registered in 2006 via SB-100, and SMOG EXEMPT for life. http://www.racesystems.com/cobra You should have seen the guys at the Bureau of Automotive Repair trying to ID the engine when doing my inspection. They were so confused, my engine type now reads "Hybrid/Other". However, since I'm SB-100...I passed...you could run a turbine engine with SB-100.

Required Reading:

http://www.kitcar.com/editorials-kit...bill/home.html
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/spcns.htm

And, as far as purchasing a Shelby continuation car...have you read/searched on that topic? There's more than a few unhappy campers...not regarding the cars in particular; it's more about the company and business practices. In summary, I hope you're not in a hurry.

[RedBarchetta]

When registering these cars in Cali, following CARB requirements through the DMV is pointless. The easiest drill for most is to deal with the crazy January 2 "run for the sequence numbers" and grab one of the 500 that go in 3-4 hours. Or you can take your time and seek a comparable, existing, SB-100 compliant car that someone is trying to sell. When I brought my car into the state almost 3 years ago it wasn't as bad. Now it's downright ugly and if you're not camping out at the DMV on New Year's night, you are essentially hosed. Good luck on your purchase...sounds like you are attempting to assemble one heck of a nice car.

-Dean #747

[bdeutsch]

Thanks for the reply and am familiar with the whole SB100 process.

Given that there seems to be only 500 exemptions available per year though, and in the belief that there is likely a greater demand for exemptions than are available in any one year, seeing what other options may be available. Would hate to be #501 January 2008...

At the moment not sure any real options exist on the engine front, but not in a position to seek an exemption this year, so nothing to loose.

Holiday wishes to you and yours...

Bob

[bdeutsch]

Maybe my thinking on the whole SB100 thing is warped.

Simple thought though. If I sink anywhere from $75k to $100k into a car, and relegate the entire success of the effort into what amounts to a crap shoot on January 2nd of any one year, I am going to explore anything that perhaps legally improve my odds of getting the car registered. That being said though, I have doubts though whether an engine like the Roush 402IR-C can meet current CARB standards...still working on getting more information to this end.

Hope this makes sense.

[ByronRACE]

The SB-100 Gauntlet every Jan 1 is the price of membership for exemption in CA. IMHO, it's well worth the effort considering what it buys you long-term.

And, you can apply for an SB100 year after year...even if you fail to get one the first year.

If you were to own a home in Oregon, (even one the size of a mail box), you could register the car there. Apply for SB-100 every Jan 1 in CA, and when you get it, bring the car into the state. Additionally, if you own the car out of CA for 6mos, you aren't subject to CA sales tax last I checked, which could be interesting considering the purchase price you are considering. I think you'll find Oregon rural emissions requirements far more satisfactory. And, if you happen to visit CA with your Oregon toy once in a while...nothing illegal about that.

Just an idea. I heard rumors that they rent mail-box sized condos in Oregon by the month for about the cost of a few starbucks.

Byron

[cbmax]

Bob,

I would doubt that running this particular motor in and of itself would solve your problem. I do not claim to be a mechanical expert , but wouldn't you also need modern day emissions (catalytic converter etc.) as well? Is this really practical on a Cobra?

I would think if you are truly going to invest $75 to $100K on a Cobra which you intend to actually drive and live in the great state of California, you really have no other choice but to go SB-100. Suck it up and take your chances on January 2.

I'm not from California, but I can tell you NJ is almost as bad a place to get one of theses cars on the road.

CB

[bdeutsch]

CB, we are of one mind regarding how an engine could meet CARB standards without catalytic converters, etc. That is why the 402IR-C intrigues me...again though, hearing it from a dealer does not necessarily make it so.

Bob

[cobrashoch]

Generally fuel injection cleans up the hydocarbons side of the emitions mess and cat. converters get the bad exaust gas side of the emitions mess. Factory injection is usially a bit lean by performance standards (14.7 to 1) and this makes it better/easier for converters. High compression is bad on the gas side of emissions because higher compession brings higher pre combustion and higher resultant combustion temps, and this forms emissions with stronger chemical bonds that the converter cannot chemically break. So nope, your 2 valve engine can't be emitions complient without converters, esp. w/high compression. Modern 3 and 4 valve engines can change the hydocarbons side of emissions with manifold tuning and head runner tuning, and that's by in large why factorys are going this way. The added performance of these designs are really a side benifit, because the injection of even these performance engines is usially set a bit lean for true performance.
cobrashock