im doing a ls/vtec for a friend, and i was wondering with the b16 head, will it still pass smog or its considered as an illegal swap?

 

headswaps are not legal at all in california. motor swaps can be legal if it is a same model year or newer engine, also out of a passenger car (no suv engine) from the same manufacturer. even then, you have to get it passed by a state referee after the swap is done or the cops can make you pull the motor if they pull you over. japanese engines are not legal at all... but I heard you can get them through the refs if the swap is already done.

the california air resources board website is:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/

 

The engine can be from a different manufactor as long as you have all the emission related componets/ecu/ect from it and it is functioning. The will let japanese engines pass as long they are replacement engines. In other words as long as the united states offer in they sale line up. Examples:

b16a were offered in 94-97 / 99-00 civic si
b18c1 were offered in 94-01 integras
b18c5 were offered in 97-98/00-01 integras

Of course you would have to have all the misc. smog equipment and sensors pertaining to your year. Of course some ref require you to have the USDM ecu for the engine.

The b20 by ref standards is a suv engine and is not allowed to be in a passenger vehicle. B16b were never offered in the united states therefore not legal as a replacement engine. (thats what the ref told me)

 

thats some good info. thanks