B20 Cali swap truth be told...no more rumors.
08-18-2003, 08:37 AM
#1
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
B20 Cali swap truth be told...no more rumors.
Okay after much debate and many calls by Spade and myself regarding B20 swaps in california...
The B20 swap is illegal in so cali. Period. I have made many calls to the BAR ref's and after a misleading email from a BAR editor, it is true that the CRV engine is classified as a light truck engine. And because of this classification, that this swap is illegal in cali. You CANNOT swap engines from different class vehicles. No truck engines into cars and vice versa, no matter if it will pass visual, tailpipe or functionality tests.
However, if you must persue a B20 swap in cali you can try to limbo under the rules a couple of ways...REMEMBER THESE ARE NOT GUARANTEED WAYS TO PASS!! You do run a chance of getting caught, but it has worked for some members.
1. Do a B16 legal swap (you SI guys are lucky) then once you have the nice little BAR sticker, you pull the engine, drop in your B20, then slap on your B16 head for some VTEC goodness. Yes a lot of work but worth it considering the performance gain and low price of a b16 swap. Now this will work for a mild to stock CRVTEC swap, I know of 3-4 people running this setup and have gone for smog test with no questions.
2. Do a B18a/b/c legal swap, get sticker, and repeat steps above. Of course if you do a legal B18a/b swap you will not be able to get away with the VTEC head, so this option is more for the mild built/bolt on only B20 swap.
3. Do an illegal B20 swap and register your car as non-operational/for offroad use only. No more smog, no more insurance, no more public road access. Now this one is pretty extreme and they really do mean no public road access, if you must tow a vehicle like this - it will in most cases have to be a full trailer, if any wheel is touching the road(on public streets and highways) they can impound your car or hold you till a full trailer/flatbed can come pick up the car. I have seen this happen, not fun, and most times they dont want to wait around so you get towed and/or impounded.
4. I see a lot guys use old B18a or B blocks and hone or sleeve to B20 size and then just build it from there. that way you can ref as the motor says B18a or B on the casing but internally it is a 2.0. I have seen guys pass ref like this. - Bseries on HT
EDIT: PLEASE READ ALL INFO, MOST OF THESE OPTIONS ONLY WORK IF YOU GET YOUR BAR STICKER FIRST!
So there it is kiddies, the B20 swap info, you can also look at http://www.dca.ca.gov for engine change guidelines or request a guideline brochure , call 800 952-5210 or 800-622-7733 for the BAR Technical Assistants, or 562-463-6180 for a BAR ref in Long Beach. Hope this helps out.
Modified by RSZero1 at 9:58 AM 8/18/2003
Modified by RSZero1 at 1:45 PM 8/18/2003
The B20 swap is illegal in so cali. Period. I have made many calls to the BAR ref's and after a misleading email from a BAR editor, it is true that the CRV engine is classified as a light truck engine. And because of this classification, that this swap is illegal in cali. You CANNOT swap engines from different class vehicles. No truck engines into cars and vice versa, no matter if it will pass visual, tailpipe or functionality tests.
However, if you must persue a B20 swap in cali you can try to limbo under the rules a couple of ways...REMEMBER THESE ARE NOT GUARANTEED WAYS TO PASS!! You do run a chance of getting caught, but it has worked for some members.
1. Do a B16 legal swap (you SI guys are lucky) then once you have the nice little BAR sticker, you pull the engine, drop in your B20, then slap on your B16 head for some VTEC goodness. Yes a lot of work but worth it considering the performance gain and low price of a b16 swap. Now this will work for a mild to stock CRVTEC swap, I know of 3-4 people running this setup and have gone for smog test with no questions.
2. Do a B18a/b/c legal swap, get sticker, and repeat steps above. Of course if you do a legal B18a/b swap you will not be able to get away with the VTEC head, so this option is more for the mild built/bolt on only B20 swap.
3. Do an illegal B20 swap and register your car as non-operational/for offroad use only. No more smog, no more insurance, no more public road access. Now this one is pretty extreme and they really do mean no public road access, if you must tow a vehicle like this - it will in most cases have to be a full trailer, if any wheel is touching the road(on public streets and highways) they can impound your car or hold you till a full trailer/flatbed can come pick up the car. I have seen this happen, not fun, and most times they dont want to wait around so you get towed and/or impounded.
4. I see a lot guys use old B18a or B blocks and hone or sleeve to B20 size and then just build it from there. that way you can ref as the motor says B18a or B on the casing but internally it is a 2.0. I have seen guys pass ref like this. - Bseries on HT
EDIT: PLEASE READ ALL INFO, MOST OF THESE OPTIONS ONLY WORK IF YOU GET YOUR BAR STICKER FIRST!
So there it is kiddies, the B20 swap info, you can also look at http://www.dca.ca.gov for engine change guidelines or request a guideline brochure , call 800 952-5210 or 800-622-7733 for the BAR Technical Assistants, or 562-463-6180 for a BAR ref in Long Beach. Hope this helps out.
Modified by RSZero1 at 9:58 AM 8/18/2003
Modified by RSZero1 at 1:45 PM 8/18/2003
08-18-2003, 08:41 AM
#2
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: CALIFORNIA
Posts: 15,366
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: B20 Cali swap truth be told...no more rumors. (RSZero1)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RSZero1 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
2. Do a B18a/b/c legal swap, get sticker, and repeat steps above. Of course if you do a legal B18a/b swap you will not be able to get away with the VTEC head, so this option is more for the mild built/bolt on only B20 swap.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
this is wrong. I have a BAR sticker for my GS-R motor and all it says on the sticker is Acura 1.8L.... doesn't say anything about vtec at all. Same goes for RoaringTurtles sticker... GS-R in a 97 hatch...
basically the sticker says:
Year of your chassis
Year of the motor
Displacement of motor
Smog equiptment items checked
I can swap a LS motor or a type R and it will be okay.
also, they didn't run the VIN of the motor I have or take note of the block number. I gave them a receipt with all that info and he looked at it briefly and gave it right back to me...
Modified by b(series)cruz at 9:54 AM 8/18/2003
2. Do a B18a/b/c legal swap, get sticker, and repeat steps above. Of course if you do a legal B18a/b swap you will not be able to get away with the VTEC head, so this option is more for the mild built/bolt on only B20 swap.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
this is wrong. I have a BAR sticker for my GS-R motor and all it says on the sticker is Acura 1.8L.... doesn't say anything about vtec at all. Same goes for RoaringTurtles sticker... GS-R in a 97 hatch...
basically the sticker says:
Year of your chassis
Year of the motor
Displacement of motor
Smog equiptment items checked
I can swap a LS motor or a type R and it will be okay.
also, they didn't run the VIN of the motor I have or take note of the block number. I gave them a receipt with all that info and he looked at it briefly and gave it right back to me...
Modified by b(series)cruz at 9:54 AM 8/18/2003
08-18-2003, 08:44 AM
#3
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: B20 Cali swap truth be told...no more rumors. (b(series)cruz)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by b(series)cruz »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
this is wrong. I have a BAR sticker for my GS-R motor and all it says on the sticker is Acura 1.8L.... doesn't say anything about vtec at all. Same goes for RoaringTurtles sticker... GS-R in a 97 hatch...</TD></TR></TABLE>
Okay I could be wrong, but I have been told by BAR techs, that while the sticker may not have all the printed info on the engine type, ie GSR VTEC, when the barcode is scanned the COMPLETE information on the engine is pulled up. AGAIN this is one way you can get caught doing this and is not guaranteed.
this is wrong. I have a BAR sticker for my GS-R motor and all it says on the sticker is Acura 1.8L.... doesn't say anything about vtec at all. Same goes for RoaringTurtles sticker... GS-R in a 97 hatch...</TD></TR></TABLE>
Okay I could be wrong, but I have been told by BAR techs, that while the sticker may not have all the printed info on the engine type, ie GSR VTEC, when the barcode is scanned the COMPLETE information on the engine is pulled up. AGAIN this is one way you can get caught doing this and is not guaranteed.
08-18-2003, 08:47 AM
#4
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: CALIFORNIA
Posts: 15,366
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: B20 Cali swap truth be told...no more rumors. (RSZero1)
Also I know of someone with a blue 5th gen hatch that has a BAR sticker for a GS-R motor but something happened to the motor and it was replaced with a stock B20 from a CRV. Smog tech smogged it and it passed. Maybe he was lucky but yeah it happend.. . in SoCal too...
08-18-2003, 08:52 AM
#6
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: B20 Cali swap truth be told...no more rumors. (RSZero1)
Again
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RSZero1 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">However, if you must persue a B20 swap in cali you can try to limbo under the rules a couple of ways...REMEMBER THESE ARE NOT GUARANTEED WAYS TO PASS!! You do run a chance of getting caught, but it has worked for some members.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Look, i'm not saying it's impossible, these are just some ways that I have seen work, there still may be others...I just would hate to see some kid buy a full B20 swap thinking he ca slide it in under the "well the CRV is a light passenger SUV, not truck" then get his car the the REF and find out he wasted his time...
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RSZero1 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">However, if you must persue a B20 swap in cali you can try to limbo under the rules a couple of ways...REMEMBER THESE ARE NOT GUARANTEED WAYS TO PASS!! You do run a chance of getting caught, but it has worked for some members.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Look, i'm not saying it's impossible, these are just some ways that I have seen work, there still may be others...I just would hate to see some kid buy a full B20 swap thinking he ca slide it in under the "well the CRV is a light passenger SUV, not truck" then get his car the the REF and find out he wasted his time...
08-18-2003, 09:43 AM
#7
Lover
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Jacksonville, FL, United States
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: B20 Cali swap truth be told...no more rumors. (RSZero1)
i'm from the east, so WTF is a BAR sticker? is it the same thing as a inspection sticker? just wondering 
Trending Topics
08-18-2003, 09:45 AM
#8
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: CALIFORNIA
Posts: 15,366
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: B20 Cali swap truth be told...no more rumors. (AK1200)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AK1200 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i'm from the east, so WTF is a BAR sticker? is it the same thing as a inspection sticker? just wondering </TD></TR></TABLE>
some stupid **** in Cali. If you change your motor, you have to get a smog test with a strict visual inspection. If you pass, you get a sticker and you can do your next smog at any gas station.... doesn't need to be at the state ref.
</TD></TR></TABLE>some stupid **** in Cali. If you change your motor, you have to get a smog test with a strict visual inspection. If you pass, you get a sticker and you can do your next smog at any gas station.... doesn't need to be at the state ref.
08-18-2003, 09:45 AM
#9
Honda-Tech Member
Re: B20 Cali swap truth be told...no more rumors. (AK1200)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AK1200 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i'm from the east, so WTF is a BAR sticker? is it the same thing as a inspection sticker? just wondering </TD></TR></TABLE>
Correct. Basically in Cali, if you don't have a BAR sticker for your modifications, you get an expensive ticket and are sent to a Smog Ref.
</TD></TR></TABLE>Correct. Basically in Cali, if you don't have a BAR sticker for your modifications, you get an expensive ticket and are sent to a Smog Ref.
08-18-2003, 09:47 AM
#10
Lover
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Jacksonville, FL, United States
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: B20 Cali swap truth be told...no more rumors. (Spade)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Spade »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Correct. Basically in Cali, if you don't have a BAR sticker for your modifications, you get an expensive ticket and are sent to a Smog Ref.</TD></TR></TABLE>
i guess for all the fun you guys have out in cali, you have to pay the price thru your cars.........
Correct. Basically in Cali, if you don't have a BAR sticker for your modifications, you get an expensive ticket and are sent to a Smog Ref.</TD></TR></TABLE>
i guess for all the fun you guys have out in cali, you have to pay the price thru your cars.........
08-18-2003, 10:13 AM
#13
Honda-Tech Member
Re: (thid92)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thid92 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what if you move to CA with out of state plates and keep them on your car? will CA laws apply or just your state laws?</TD></TR></TABLE>
If your mailing address is in Cali, you need Cali smog.
If your mailing address is in Cali, you need Cali smog.
08-18-2003, 10:26 AM
#15
can I haz?
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: P Town, NY
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: (Spade)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Spade »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If your mailing address is in Cali, you need Cali smog.</TD></TR></TABLE>
if i ever moved to CA i would keep my NY adress
If your mailing address is in Cali, you need Cali smog.</TD></TR></TABLE>
if i ever moved to CA i would keep my NY adress
08-18-2003, 11:32 AM
#17
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: CA, USA
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: (b(series)cruz)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by b(series)cruz »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you only have a certain number of days that you can stay in cali before they make you reg it as a cali car.</TD></TR></TABLE>
if u dorm for cali in school but do no have a residential home here in cali and go back to wheverever u from in the summer and stuff they do not make you register your car here, atleast thats how it worked for my friend i think
if u dorm for cali in school but do no have a residential home here in cali and go back to wheverever u from in the summer and stuff they do not make you register your car here, atleast thats how it worked for my friend i think
08-18-2003, 12:34 PM
#21
Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: La Primera Guete, United States
Posts: 5,132
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: (b(series)cruz)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by b(series)cruz »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">$30 for the testing and $8 for the sticker...</TD></TR></TABLE>
Worth every penny!
Worth every penny!
08-18-2003, 08:37 PM
#23
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Down South, CA, United States
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
now what exactly would i need to get it to pass? im running a jdm b18c...with intake and header right now..i know i gotta convert it back to stock..any help would be cool..pm or email me lilaxian@hotmail.com..thanks
08-21-2003, 10:49 AM
#24
Honda-Tech Member
Re: (EJBomexCoupe)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EJBomexCoupe »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">now what exactly would i need to get it to pass? im running a jdm b18c...with intake and header right now..i know i gotta convert it back to stock..any help would be cool..pm or email me lilaxian@hotmail.com..thanks</TD></TR></TABLE>
No you don't. YOu just need smog legal stuff. PM sent.
No you don't. YOu just need smog legal stuff. PM sent.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
