Sounds like to much work for not a lot of gain to me. Just do like I did and move out of commiefornia to a place where there’s no smog BS. If that’s not an option then register it with someone in a different state?🤣

 

Thankfully I don't judge a projects merit based on the work ethic of random internet strangers.

Trans tuning and tuning for a future cam swap is absolutely worth it for me.

 

I always think about vehicles as being just an aggregation of parts. An option would be to buy a junk 2005 and use that title on your aggregation of parts. Amazing that CA inspectors can even figure out if you're using a 2 year newer engine control system on a 20 year old truck!

 

The computer tattles when they plug in. You get the print-out from the smog machine of what systems the vehicle supports. If the PCM reports it supports EGR and it's nowhere to be found it's a fail and a referee visit. I considered getting a junked 05 but 1.) I really don't want another pile of garbage in my driveway, 2.) They're few and far between.

New truck prices are stupid, used truck prices are stupid. I'll keep this thing until its stolen or totaled, so I might as well keep working on it

Got my donor 03 harness in today, looks good. Gonna go through it with a fine tooth comb before I do anything with it.

 

I know that 2004 2500s didn't come with EGRs ( I currently own one), not sure if that continued in 2005. If 2005 2500s did not have the EGR, you might consider programming your 2005 ecu as a 2500. Not sure what the CA rules are for 3/4 trucks vs 1/2 ton, that wrinkle would need to be considered.

 

EGR was absent on every HD 5.7 through 2008, then with the eagle redesign it went away altogether except for the hybrid Durango/Aspen. Ironically the newer truck 6.4 does use it.