Question for anyone that has got a California bar inspection. Do they check your ECU to make sure it is actually same year or newer (i.e. a 96 ecu in a 97 car) and whether it is a Federal Standard ECU or Californa Standard ECU?

 

Most Ref's do. Mine made sure it was the correct USDM ECU for my swap. I've heard of other Ref's never even looking at the ECU

 

They can't tell what type of computer you are using by plugging their smog computer thru the diognstic port?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dat_flip &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">They can't tell what type of computer you are using by plugging their smog computer thru the diognstic port?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not that I know of. If you have a car that was originally OBD0 you don't have a diagnostic port. They just make sure you converted everything to OBD1 or OBD2.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by APEX CRX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Not that I know of. If you have a car that was originally OBD0 you don't have a diagnostic port. They just make sure you converted everything to OBD1 or OBD2.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

So did they visually check the computer and run the numbers on it or did they just ask for some type of verification from the dealer?

 

if you are OBD1....use the OBD1 USDM ecu that is for that motor

if you are OBD2....use the OBD2 USDM ecu that is for that motor

if you are OBD0....convert to OBD1 or OBD2 and use the correct USDM ecu that is for that motor


year doesn't matter.

example:
92 civic
95 H22 JDM motor with ALL USDM smog equip
any H22 vtec USDM ecu will work.

 

from posts on here they read off the part # to verify it.

 

so i can basically run any ecu cuz the part numbers are all the same? It doesn't have to be a cali spec ecu then?


Modified by dat_flip at 8:24 AM 11/19/2004

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dat_flip &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so i can basically run any ecu cuz the part numbers are all the same? It doesn't have to be a cali spec ecu then?


Modified by dat_flip at 8:24 AM 11/19/2004</TD></TR></TABLE>


No, not at all. You have to run the ECU for the engine you are trying to ref... Example, running a 99 Si engine would require the "P2T" ecu. Running a GSR engine would require a "P72" ecu, etc. Also, the ecu MUST be California emissions as well and the do know how to tell and will check as well. Well, they SHOULD check.. seems to vary from ref to ref.

 

the part numbers pn the ecu do vary at times, so check with http://www.slhondaparts.com for hte part number. make sure your ecu has the part # that is required in california. in many cases the ecus are all the same, but if they aren't and you dont have the right one y ou may pass or you may fail if they cehck it.

 

this calls for an ECU case swapping party!

 

cool... so i need a cali spec ecu for the right obd for the motor im swapping in.

 

I've gotten my 89 civic hatchback with B18c through the Referee and he didn't look at the ECU at all (I'm a proud member of the "BAR club").

However I think that it's totally up to the referee that you go to and if he feels that there is a reason to look closely!

I was running the correct ECU for the engine (P72A1) and the ECU has a label on the side saying what it is.

Wes

 

I have the same problem when trying to REF my swap as well.....I got an 99 civic si motor in my 97 hatch and the REF was tripping about the ECU. I was running a 97 P30 ecu and he said that I needed to run the 99 si ecu....ANy idea how I can get the 99 si ECU to plug into my harness????? I need help asap....

 

you can get an ob2a-obd2b jumper harness. I don't know if refs will trip if you use a jumper harness but its easier to run a jumper harness instead of changing plugs. A friend of mine has one in his 98 civic but i can't remember where he got it. Im not sure if you will throw a code 91 (fuel tank pressure) if you use the si ecu, he hasn't thrown one but then again his car is not a cali car tho. Keep me updated on this cuz i think im going to be in the same boat.


Modified by dat_flip at 7:53 AM 11/23/2004