Just wondering if a CRVtec motor will be CA legal? I.E. pass visual inspection and the sniffer test...

(BTW, already did a search)

TIA

 

I've only heard rumors of it passing the Ref guys.. but at a smog test only area it would probably pass..but no it is not legal.. since the engine block did not come with a vtec head..you will fail visual inspection if you are crazy enough to go to a Ref station =P

 

my friend smogged his crvtec. I have no clue how, but it has been done...

 

You'd be crazy to go in with the big DOHC VTEC emblem shining on the valve cover. Put an LS or CRV valve cover on (assuming they fit) or grind the "DOHC VTEC" off of the cover and repaint it. That's probably the most blatant giveaway that it is not legal.

Sonny

 

for one, you can't put an LS cover on a VTEC motor.

two, you can still smog a VTEC motor in your car if it's newer than than the chassis

 

Thanks for the responses...

So essentially, a B20 block with a B16a head is ILLEGAL in CA????

Can someone 100% confirm that this is true?


**********
I was all set with a '00 JDM ITR motor (already put my deposit on it) but I don't want to have problems with smog and legality issues.

So my options are:

Option #1
---------Get a USDM Type R motor and be done with it!

---------Get a JDM SiRII motor and buy a USDM B20 block. Then I will have the street torque I am looking for.


Anyways, just wondering what to do. Any more suggestions are appreciated.




[Modified by spoonek9, 9:40 PM 3/11/2002]

 

CRVtec is 100% NOT legal! it never was and never will be. Any type of "hybrid" engine (lsvtec, crevtec, h22/h23, mini-me-vtec, etc) is NOT legal. it has to be a PURE stock motor. But if you can drop in a STOCK b20b motor w/ all the smog crap still on it w/ the stock head you can get your BAR sticker and THEN drop on the vtec head AFTER you get the sticker. Thats the only way. Also motor can't be stolen and has to be newer than the chasis. This is california people, NOTHING is legal, it probably illegal for me to have an air fresherner in my car damit! haha

 

only if it's a JDM air freshener =P

 

what about jdm engines?

 

Thanks for the reply MugenGTR...

spy54,

JDM engines are not allowed either due to the fact that they do not have a recognizable VIN number. For it to be legal in CA, you have to have an engine that was made FOR the US market.

I guess I will just pay up the *** for a USDM type R motor then.

Thanks for all your responses

 

About the only way you might be able to smog a CR-VTEC in California would be to first ref either a B16A3 or B18C1 and then do the conversion. Hopefully, the smog techs will not check the engine block number when they subsequently smog the car.