Hey there guys, I haven't been on here for quite some time and just purchased a 1993 Civic CX Hatch with a D16Z6 swap. Seller said that he had the car smogged and tagged when I purchased the vehicle from him. Which is WHY I purchased it for the most part. What I need to know(and I should've done more research) is if the motor is legal or not? I live in Central California and I know how strict we are with emmissions. Everything is stock on the car excluding a AEM short Ram iintake. No, check engine light or anything of that behavior. I have tried using the search feature but, cannot find find a right answer.

Please help another enthusiast fellas.

 

you should be fine as long as your running all your emissions equipment and a stock p28 ecu

 

Yeah, everything is stock including having the stock ECU P28. I just overheard from a buddy that I'd have to ref the car and get it bar'd since the car didn't come with the 1.6 SOHC VTEC. So I really shouldn't be too worried never the less is that what you're implying?

 

no you shouldnt have any worries as the usdm si's came with that very same motor you shouldnt have any problems as long as it is runing normally

 

Cool. Sounds great man. Thanks for the info. and answering my lingering question.

 

Well, there are some stipulations that could make it technically illegal. For instance; if the chassis is newer than the engine. If your CX is a 94 and the engine came from a 92, then the swap is illegal and can never be ref'd. However it is very unlikely that you'll encounter a smog tech that is 1) **** enough to care and 2) able to tell what year the engine is from. I could, but I'm in Utah now so no worries.

Secondly, you technically have to get it ref'd to be smog legal. However it is very unlikely that you'll encounter a smog tech that will send you to the ref. I had a DX with a SOHC VTEC ZC engine when I lived in CA. In 5 years I never had a smog tech notice that it was a swap. Any other engine swap probably would draw attention.

 

Yeah, I understand that part otherwise, IF I had known that, I would have stayed away from the car. I just didn't want to run into any hot spots that could A) cost me more money down the road, and B) COST ME EVEN MORE MONEY! Lol! Just don't need all the headaches.

 

well if the guy gave u the slips from him smoggin the car you really shouldnt have anything to worry about

 

Yeah, I just wanted to clarify this with some of you Guru's out there

 

you could even probably get away with smogging it at a place that does not know much about imports.