SR20 + Legal Issues

[izzy_domain]

@spd-dmn

izzy_domain,

Given the current political climate in the GTA, your concerns are warranted. However it’s not quite as bad as you might think.

There is no law anywhere that says you cannot drop another motor into your car. An SR swap, when done properly, is fully legal.

At worst, you are looking at a few $300 tickets for emission equipment violations.
This can easily be prevented by keeping your emissions equipment intact and working properly. This includes having the PCV system recirculated (no open breathers), the air injection system present and working, BOV recirculated, and a working cat.

The recent slate of police vehicle seizures and impoundments has nothing to do with engine swaps or equipment failures. It happens when people do 50km/h over the limit or race on the highway.

Now, that being said, the MTO has the authority to pull the plates off your car if they think it is unsafe. Note that they don’t seize the car, they simply restrict you from putting it back on the road. This means a tow home.

Can they do that for an SR? No.

Can they do it for having a ghetto car on the road without half its shit working or with holes in it? Yes.

Technically you should report the change in engine displacement to the MTO when you swap motors. MTO inspectors may or may not clue into this.

Other than that, there’s no reason to worry.

If the car would pass safety with an SR, and if it would pass etest with an SR, there’s no reason for anyone to be pulling it off the road.

Are you saying you already had MTO inspect your car? On what basis?

Yep. I was pulled over by Halton police in Oakville on Saturday.
The officer pulled me over, and asked me to drive my car to 407/Trafalgar GO parking lot. I replied with what for? He said the ministry was there and he would like to go have my muffler inspected. I asked him I could reschedule as I was in a rush to get my wallet from home before I went out for dinner. He said no, the only way I can let you go is if I give you a $300+ ticket for your muffler. So I went. When I got there they MTO officer came up to the vehicle asked me my name and birth date. He then proceeded to ask me to pop the hood of the vehicle. He asked if I had any modification done to the car I would like to let him know about. I said nope, I bought the car with the muffler already installed, and the engine in plain factory. He then asked me to start the car, he looked at my cluster, and I can only assume he was looking for other gauges. Other then that they gave me a ticket for not having my license on me (I had accidentally left in my work pants at home, and I was on my way to pick it up just as I got pulled over), and off I went.