If my car is already BAR certified with a B18B (95 ls motor)...am I able to drop in any B18 of the same year? For instance a 95 gsr motor or even a JDM B18C? Would this still be considered legal?

Thanks!

 

NOPE. You would have to get the new motor BAR certified again

 

What's up Syn...we met when u were up in LA. Does your sticker actually say B18B? Mine only says 1991 Acura 1.8.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Reelizmpro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Does your sticker actually say B18B? Mine only says 1991 Acura 1.8. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I think this is very important. What does the actual sticker say ? If it says 95 1.8L then u might be able to pass it off. However, if it specifically states B18B, then ur SOL.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Reelizmpro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What's up Syn...we met when u were up in LA. Does your sticker actually say B18B? Mine only says 1991 Acura 1.8. </TD></TR></TABLE>

All the stickers i've seen say this also

 

Yeah, it just says '1995 Acura 1.8L' thats it...I think I may have a chance??? I just am not sure what the 'test only' smog stations check. All I know is that they are much more thorough with the smog check.

 

Although the details are left off of the sticker, it may come up in the computer when they scan your bar code and you'll be tested against the numbers for that engine. However, a CA bar sticker has tremendous power and they might just run it without a second thought. Remember, places want you to pass, they typically don't make any money if you don't...fails are a waste of time for them. If it were me, I'd go ahead and do it. If you want to find out what comes up and smog legitimately, let me know.

 

Man, that's an interesting question!! I think technically you would have to go in and have it re-reffed.

However, as said in one of the prior posts, my sticker just says "1995 Honda 1.8L" and that's for the B18C in my civic hatchback.

Wes

 

OOPS;

After looking closer, the referee printed "b18c1" in the comments area.

Wes

 

oh damn, mine doesn't have any comments. Hmmmmmm this is good to know when I finally go LS/VTEC.

 

I never even thought of that. My BAR sticker says B18C1

 

bump! all you smog cerified guys...hit this thread up!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by synergy10 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">bump! all you smog cerified guys...hit this thread up!</TD></TR></TABLE>
hopefully u will hear what my sticker says on Monday...wish me luck.

 

Mine only says "1995 Acura 1.8L" for my B18C1 and in the Comments section it says "Skunk Intake Manifold D-537-2"

I'd assume you would "technically" have to get it re-reffed, but then again, I cant see every smog shop scanning the barcode and looking up the information.

There are guys running B18A's or B's and then slapped a VTEC head on and they pass at normal smog shops. Your typical hole-in-the-wall smog place isnt gonna know that a B18A1 doesnt come with a VTEC head.

Anyways, this is an interesting question. Im interested to know what happens.

 

Mr-CRX;

I'd hate to argue (and have absolutely no proof!), but I'd expect the normal smog station to enter the bar code and see what comes up. Think about this, they have already logged onto the DMV system when they entered your VIN code, so it's no big process. It's also possible that when the VIN code is entered, the DMV system REQUIRES that the bar code be entered. DMV knows that you swapped engines.

But then again, I'm no smog check station guy.

It's interesting to think about. I guess I won't know for about 2 years.

Wes

 

Oh yea? i have a smog ref appointment monday. i have the 90 ls motor so on my sticker thats what its going to say. Well the best part is right after its done. Ls vtec baby..still say b18 or B18a if it says that one the sticker if they scan it the same motor will come up just a vtec head they wont know the difference at a reg smog station.!

 

Wes, I wasnt trying to argue with you. sorry if it came across that way.

but yeah, I really dont know either. I was just thinking out loud there.

-Adam

 

Mr_CRX;

No problem. I didn't think of it as an arguement.

Wes

 

They will scan it if they see a BAR sticker...that's the point. However, it's what shows up in the computer that's in question. Perhaps it's just whatever is on the sticker or perhaps more information about the engine. Who knows. I'll have to ask my friend.

 

Please find out and post...thanks!

 

Just got off the phone with the smog shop. They have to input the bar number and enter the engine size (ie, B16, B18). According to him, it doesn't matter whether it's an A, B or C.

 

Thanks! Here comes the gsr motor...hehe!

 

Here is a little writeup I did, feel free to correct anything Wes!!

Want your engine to be legal in CA? Here is how to do it.

They will do a smog check, so do your tune-ups. They will also do a visual along with a timing check.

1) The engine must be the same year or newer. JDM engines must be used as a U.S. copy.
2) The engine must be the same obd (onboard diagnostics, its an electrical configuration) as the U.S. counterpart. For example, I have a 95 JDM Integra GSR. That engine runs obd1 in the U.S. so my engine has to be obd1. You obd0 B16a owners need to make your engine as close as possible to a U.S. spec Del Sol VTEC, that means obd1 folks.
3) The ecu must be a U.S. spec, and must match the obd. So my ecu must be a U.S. spec P72. B16a owners need U.S. P30’s.
4) The intake manifold must be U.S. spec as well. There are some ways around this. I for example I am using a skunk2 manifold that has the c.a.r.b. sticker this sticker meets California clean air requirements. It doesn’t use the secondary intake butterflies, but somehow skunk2 got it to pass. Some JDM/EDM manifolds may look close enough to pass, its tuff to say. The JDM GSR manifold is the same as U.S. except it is missing a purge control solenoid. You may be able to get by with just using the JDM intake manifold with a U.S spec purge control attached. Gen1 B16a’s have much different intake manifolds, so get a skunk2, or search for a rare U.S. spec B16a Del Sol unit.
5) The exhaust manifolds must also be U.S. spec, and run the proper 02 sensor locations. This is easier to get away with however, its tuff to see under the factory heat-shields. I have a 99-00 civic Si B16a 4-2-1 header from DC Sports with a factory heat shield attached with welded brackets and the REF didn’t even look twice.
6) Non c.a.r.b. legal parts are not legal, they must have the sticker. So no FPR’s, or eBay knockoff intakes.
7) Basically all smog parts must be used from a U.S. spec equivalent engine. Things like cat converters are nearly impossible to know if it is from a GSR in my example, and the REF will never know.
9) Intakes can be used from the original car providing it fits. If it looks factory I see no problems. I have a CRX airbox, and a JDM 90-91 Integra xsi intake pipe, and it passed. Make sure if you are running a aftermarket tube leading from the valve cover to the intake pipe that it says its certified for fuel. They checked on mine, even though its only for oil, lol.
9) I hear some REF’s Don’t like obd0-1 jumpers, and some don’t care, so try it and find out. My REF was fine with mine.
8) No truck engines in cars(B20), and no head swaps either.
9) Exhaust systems are not for smog, so don’t worry about your aftermarket catbacks.

Many of the requirements can be overlooked by the REF for your benefit, so go with what you have, and repair as necessary. However the REF’s are becoming more hip by the day.

-How do I get the number to get an appointment?

-Where is it located? Most are located at local colleges. They will give directions on the phone.

-Will I have to do the idle/2,500 rpm, or the 15mph/25mph dyno machine? This varies on city/location.

C/O: Droppedcrxsi

 

I'd add to what Ryan said;

You should be able to get the phone number to set up an appointment at ANY normal smog check station.

When you call them, they will tell you where the closest Referee station is. However, you can have the car checked at any station that you desire. In other words, if you know somebody that has had a good dealing with a Referee that is 100 miles away, it may be worth the drive. If you don't pass the first time, you can schedule to go to a different Referee.

The cost is $30.00 for the check and an additional $8.00 (or was it 9?) for the certificate that is put on your car. If you don't pass the first time, the second check is free. If you don't pass the second time, then you have to pay again.

Think about getting a "pre-check" at a normal smog check station to see how you fare in regards to the sniffer. This is where a partial test is done and the car isn't hooked up to the DMV system. This is legal, however I've heard that in some areas of California smog check stations don't want to do it (I've no idea why not).


Wes

 

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


Think about getting a "pre-check" at a normal smog check station to see how you fare in regards to the sniffer. This is where a partial test is done and the car isn't hooked up to the DMV system. This is legal, however I've heard that in some areas of California smog check stations don't want to do it (I've no idea why not).


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

This is true about how some wont want to touch the car. I experienced this. I told the guy what i was doing (REF'ing a different motor) and asked for a "pre-test." He said no he couldn't do it and its b/c a "pretest" still goes through the DMV, and it didnt matter if it wasnt official. I was confused b/c if its not official, then who cares. But anyway, he ended up running it on the sniffer and i guess it must not have been in "pretest" mode.