I have a 89 crx with a B20z in it, does anyone know how to get it refed, because i have been hearing different things i heard u could then u couldn't. So could someone please inform me.

 

i don't live in cali, but from what i've heard, you can't ref a b20 out of a crv, because a crv isn't classified as a passenger vehicle, more as a truck. you could bore out a b18 to be the same basic block, though.

 

not going to happen....truck motor in a car is a no can do for passing the ref in Cali....sorry bud.

 

Turbow is totally correct.

It's not possible due to California considering the B20 as a "truck" motor. (I'd really like to see one power a Hummer, lol)

Some of the "technical" points of getting a car legal here are just plain crazy.

I once had a 79 El Camino and wanted to put a big block in it. Now the issue is that there are no "car" big blocks built after 79, only truck motors. The referee's consider the El Camino a car and as such it wouldn't be a legal swap. I sure consider the El Camino more of a "truck" than a CRV!!!!!

My recommendation would be to pick up a cheap B16 and get it through the referee (of course it would have to be set up as an OBD1 Del Sol motor). Then swap in your B20 when not on the road (cause I know you wouldn't want to break the law)

Wes (89 hatchback with Ref'd B18c) Vann

 

a sneaky way around is to find a d16 motor that is junk and cut off the engine tag, and glue it over the existing b20 tag. i did this on my d15b and now it says d16a6.
i dont have mine reffed and the smog shops around here(even the test only) dont know the diffrence, or dont care.

 

Damn CA emission laws suck. I had a B20vtec in my '87 Si HB and the emissions people didnt even give the engine a second look.

 

Didn't some old preludes come with a B20? Why not use that one or say its off the old prelude if there is no way of telling.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NastyHabitzCRX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">a sneaky way around is to find a d16 motor that is junk and cut off the engine tag, and glue it over the existing b20 tag. i did this on my d15b and now it says d16a6.
i dont have mine reffed and the smog shops around here(even the test only) dont know the diffrence, or dont care. </TD></TR></TABLE>

That might work but isn't it a highly illegal thing to do?

 

You could also ref your car with a B18A/B18B. Then drop the B20 back in. And when you go for your biennial smog test, chances are good that you can find a place that won't verify the block code.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by The ZC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Didn't some old preludes come with a B20? Why not use that one or say its off the old prelude if there is no way of telling.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The Ref will know...

 

I believe that the engine codes for the prelude are b20a5 and b21a1. At least from the sites I've read. So you'll need those prelude engines instead of the more desireable b20z or b20b in your car. Unfortuneatly the ref will know the difference between these two engines.

 

the old prelude b20a's are nowhere close to the crv's b20b's and b20z's

 

I'd still be looking for verification that a CRV is classified as a truck since its based on the Civic chassis. Honda is big on emissions ratings...I don't think thay'd opt for the truck emissions loophole.

Not to discredit the posters here, but you know how an obscure assumption repeated enough on the internet becomes fact...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by davens &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'd still be looking for verification that a CRV is classified as a truck since its based on the Civic chassis. Honda is big on emissions ratings...I don't think thay'd opt for the truck emissions loophole.

Not to discredit the posters here, but you know how an obscure assumption repeated enough on the internet becomes fact...</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've dealt with the smog ref enough (8 months I believe) that I know that this is true.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by davens &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'd still be looking for verification that a CRV is classified as a truck since its based on the Civic chassis. Honda is big on emissions ratings...I don't think thay'd opt for the truck emissions loophole.

Not to discredit the posters here, but you know how an obscure assumption repeated enough on the internet becomes fact...</TD></TR></TABLE>

We're dealing with the California Air Resources Board here. And do you really think they care as much about emissions and clean air as they do about making Big-Brother laws? Basically, if they can find a way to make life hard for you, they will. Never mind whether it actually makes sense or not.

Look at it this way. If these folks really cared about cleaning up the air, they would just be glad that we swappers ditched our dirty, 1980's-vintage stock engines in favor of something newer and cleaner rather than putting us through all the bullshit that they do.

 

Woah...not defending the CARB *****. Good idea/bad execution.

I just wanted to get some concrete evidence that a B20b/z is off limits. Not someone regurgitating what they read by someone who had posted information from a hypothetical conversation their brothers friend had with a smog ref over IM. You know how that **** goes.
Matt...you went B20 awhile back...have you been smogged?
Michael...in what context were your dealings with CARB?

I know that the Honda has prided itself on it LEV ratings for the last 10+ years while a lot of manufacturers used the truck classification and lax emissions standards to put their monstrosities on the road. It just seems a little out of character for Honda.

 

I can understand your not wanting to believe what has been said, but then the only real answer to your question is to go in and ask the Referee that you are going to take the car to.

The Ref near me is willing to answer questions as long as I wait until he is between cars.

Wes

 

I personally do NOT know anybody here in CALI with a B20B/Z that has been ref cert'd.

I DO know a bunch a fellas out here that run B20B/Z that could care less about getting it cert'd.

Some smog shops don't give a FIZZLE only care if all smog related stuff is all hooked up and the sniffer runs clean.

The ones that do CARE send you OFF or CHARGE you a BUTTLOAD.

On the OT tip, I &lt;3 my cheap SOHC ZC

 

Check this link out. It's an autozone link, yes, but it does show that even they classify the CRV as a "HONDA TRUCK".

http://www.autozone.com/servle...TRUCK

If all else fails... call the nearest Honda Parts Department

 

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

That might work but isn't it a highly illegal thing to do? </TD></TR></TABLE>yeah and so is gettin a b18 reffed and then taking it out, just like i said definatly more sneaky. i willpost my pics of mine you really have to looke hard to see where the 2 plates are diifrent

 

you guys are stupid.. just pay 200 to get illegal smog and **** ref. PROBLEM SOLVED!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ef_you_again &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you guys are stupid.. just pay 200 to get illegal smog and **** ref. PROBLEM SOLVED!</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'd rather pay ~$400 and get it done the RIGHT way, for as long as I own the car.

Driving next to cops in confidence =

 

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

I'd rather pay ~$400 and get it done the RIGHT way, for as long as I own the car.

Driving next to cops in confidence = </TD></TR></TABLE>

i dont know for some reason or another i like be around cops when i have a swap, i dont know if its the fear or something that i like about it LOL

also whats ur paypal PM me, il send u teh 10 bucks i owe u i just remeberd haha

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I know that the Honda has prided itself on it LEV ratings for the last 10+ years while a lot of manufacturers used the truck classification and lax emissions standards to put their monstrosities on the road. It just seems a little out of character for Honda. </TD></TR></TABLE>

And then they built the Ridgeline. You never really know what those crazy guys at the big H are gonna do next, eh?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NastyHabitzCRX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yeah and so is gettin a b18 reffed and then taking it out, just like i said definatly more sneaky. i willpost my pics of mine you really have to looke hard to see where the 2 plates are diifrent </TD></TR></TABLE>

Reffing an LS and then swapping a B20 is one thing. If you got caught for this, all you have to say is that you bought the car that way. And the very worst that will happen is you will get sent to the ref again. But changing block codes is VERY, VERY serious. Stolen engines start to come into law enforcement's mind if this is caught.