What's the difference if it's in a car or SUV? There are just as many SUVs and such on the roads as there are passenger cars. Federal rules are out dated. As a car enthusiast I know that SC residents aren't the only folks swapping in truck engines into their hotrods. They're inexpensive and easy to find with a large parts collection/ inventory support which is what makes them so desirable. Read LS1Tech forums and you'll see there are many 5.3L engines going in hotrods. Anyway, if SC happens to re-institute a state vehicle inspection there will be shops out there that will do your inspection and sign off on it as long as you have the $$$ for them to look the other way. It happens in CA all the time, one of the most Nazi vehicle inspection states if not THE most Nazi state when it comes to ridiculous rules and regulations.
Trucks have different economy and emissions requirements than cars; the federal rule allowing
that is what is outdated. That's why the EPA disallows truck engines in passenger car chassis. Just like the EPA disallows putting older drivetrains in newer chassis. Just because 'everyone does it' doesn't mean it is legal. For a hotrod built on some 30s or 40s Ford or whatever, I'm sure a modern truck engine that hasn't been stripped of all its pollution controls is a huge improvement, for both pollution and efficiency, but I don't ever think I've seen a hot rod leave that stuff on. For a modern passenger car, a truck engine will be a downgrade.
The rules and regulations with regards to vehicle emissions in California aren't ridiculous. The results are as clear as day, specifically with regards to
how far you can see on a clear day as compared to what it was like in the '70s and '80s. The air smells and looks better. It is undeniable. The requirement that aftermarket parts and modifications prove that they don't negatively impact the output of a vehicle isn't unreasonable, the aftermarket is just generally unwilling to take on that expense. To compare laws and regulations that improve the quality of life and health of all state residents at the expense of allowing any random Joe to 're-engineer' or just fail to maintain systems that dramatically reduce vehicle emissions to the Nazis' attempted extermination of the Jews and other minorities, or any of their fascist ideals is disgusting and disrespectful to the memories of those murdered as well as completely unfounded hyperbole. I ask that you retract that statement if you wish to remain in polite company.
It is entirely possible to do an engine change in California and be totally legal. It's not a big deal. It is a bit of a time consuming process, but it is achievable if you do research in advance and don't try to skirt or bend the rules.
As for paying to get your car passed in California, that's not really feasible, not unless you have a clean 'tester' car (that has a similar emissions profile) to run in place of what you want. Smog testing in California involves the state-approved smog testing machine sending reports back to the state DMV electronically. There is not a window to fudge the numbers. You need to supply an actual clean exhaust, make and model may not need to be identical, but RPM at a given speed on the dyno and emissions profile need to be within expected ranges for the car you're trying to pass (so a stock example is your safest bet.) Later OBD2 cars (02-ish and up) can skip the sniffer if the ECM reports everything is operating properly, but the ECM also reports the VIN, so your substitute needs to report the correct VIN.
Clean-piping doesn't work any more, at least not in the sense where you can just pay a guy. You need to basically own a 2nd car for smog purposes AND pay a guy. On top of that, they hold Smog techs accountable (ie: their license) if cars they pass fail their next test more often than is average, so you're not going to see some random test station be willing to pass anyone who flashes a few hundred extra, even if they're not worried about a sting operation from the licensing agency.
