I recently moved to California, and am considering buying a 95-98 CTD. I have seen in my research that the California trucks have lower power output. Is this an easy situation to remedy, or do I need to go out of state to buy a truck? Also, is there any emmision concerns like there is in the gasoline trucks?

 

First of all a hearty WELCOME. As far as your questions sure it is quite easy to get more power out of a 12 valve engine. Just change fuel plate, injectors, turbo, exhaust, the list goes on and on. As far as emissions, I do not have a clue. We don't have them problems up here in norhthern Minnesota (yet).
Tom

 

No smog checks here for diesels.As far as I know, the output on the CTD is not much different than other states. I think Calif. models are only like 5-10 H.P. less and same for torque. So the solution is...Start Bombing!

 

Thank you for the reply. I appreciate the response, I just needed a little more convincing to get rid of my underpowered chevy small block.

 

Hold on there young feller. I do believe california trucks ran an egr system. The intake is different as a result of this. Power levels definately are lower - I THINK 96 5sp were only about 180hp not 215hp as available in other states. As for emissions, there are a couple of different tests. In CT we look at opacity while running 25mph. Some states do a snap test which is to punch the throttle and let right off to look for smoke/particulate. I'm not sure if any state measures hydrocarbons on diesels.

 

I'm not sure about the older trucks. 2003 HO motor wasn't available in CA. Diesels are currently exempt from any smog tests. Easy to bring an out of state truck in as long as it has 7500 miles too.

 

vssman is right, Ca diesels are egr equiped and 180 HP. And as Rattletrap said a truck can be brought in if it has more than 7500 miles. I bought a truck in Idaho last year and had no trouble registering it in Ca. They check that it was built for USA market, all the numbers match the paperwork, and that's about it. Then you pay a month's salary in taxes and fees and get your plates, never to worry about smog again. To me it was worth getting an out of state truck for the extra power. John