So i have a 93 Civic hatch and i just got a 95 LS motor put in i want to know what im gonna need to be able to pass the ref. I also want to know if a short ram intake will work or am i gonna have to get a hold of a stock intake for the car?

 

From what I've read so far here from other threads.

People always say keep it stock.

If you have an CAI or short ram, as long as its legal like AEM, they will make a note on it.

Let me try and find the thread that has all the info, i was reading it last week.

 

1. The engine is the same year as car or newer.

2. The ECU is a USDM and not JDM.

3. NO JDM wiring harness, it must be USDM. (I am a little confused about this, I am wondering if my USDM CX harness will pass?)

4. The intake must be the original USDM air box, OR an intake that has a C.A.R.B sticker that is STRICTLY for the swapped motor. (Example: an AEM CAI for a GSR with a GSR motor will PASS, a AEM CAI for a Type R with a GSR motor will NOT pass)

5. The exhaust manifold MUST BE USDM, and if it is not O.E. then it must have a C.A.R.B sticker that matches the motor. I asked the ref. if they could really tell the difference between a stock USDM and JDM exhaust manifold, and he said that they have pictures for everything, and there are slight differences.

6. No adjustable FPR's, not unless it has a C.A.R.B. sticker. Does anyone know if the AEM FPR is C.A.R.B legal?

7. Must have a catalytic converter hooked up (this one is pretty obvious).

8. All USDM O.E. smog equipment MUST be hooked up and working properly!

Here's the thread https://honda-tech.com/forums/showth...ght=Passed+Ref

There's more info, just read all the thread.

 

https://honda-tech.com/search.php?searchid=1966905

for the search

 

So as long as it's carb legal corresponding to the motor, it's clear from there right?

 

Yes.

 

Thanks all for the help, man i excited bout gettin it on the road.

 

no adjustable fuel regulator is legal on california cars. So with the cam gears too. I(we) just put a vc that was not cut to pass fix it tickets and to ref cars with them. They were to lazy to pull the vc.

 

I hope for your sake your motor is USDM, apparently there is an addendum to the laws that say no more JDM motors period!

 

No more JDM motors?

Where does it say that? last week i was reading a thread about a guy who passed the BAR with a JDM swap..

More info please, im actually interested to know where or who said no more JDM motors...




anyway, here's a link to the ARB http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/replace.htm

 

How can you tell the difference between the JDM motors and the USDM ones?

 

i feel sorry for you guys out there in cali in jersey as long as it passes emissions they could care less i have i/h/e on a ls swapped civic and never gotten one hassle about it

 

Easy way is to check the stamp on the block. What is stamped on yours?

 

dont know ill have to look. Yeah cali sucks there are places that require smog every 2 years and sum places that require it once when u first buy the car.

 

Both. Whenever you change ownership you need to smog and every 2 years after that. The only exception is new cars which, IIRC is 6 years.

 

Yeah but there are places in cali where u only have to smog it when u buy it and then u don't have to smog it again until the car changes owners again.

 

Never heard of that. Lived here my whole life. Show me where this place is.

 

It has always said it.. right in the link you supplied even.. they just started being more strict/enforcing on it earlier this year.

Here is the areas to note, quoted directly from your hyperlink, with my added underlinings:

Replacement Engines
Entire engines can be replacement parts. As with any other replacement part, the engine must be identical to the original. If the replacement block or engine is obtained without emissions equipment, all the equipment from the original engine must be installed on the replacement block.
If the engine is not identical to the original then it is not a replacement part, instead it is considered an engine change.
Engine changes are a modification that must meet certain requirements to be legal (please see "Engine Changes").

Japanese Replacement Engines
Used engines imported from Japan can be used as replacement engines as long as the engine being used has been identified as functionally identical to the original engine. Please refer to the engine importers catalogue to determine if a replacement engine is legal for installation in your vehicle.

Engine Changes
Engine changes are legal as long as the following requirements are met to ensure that the change does not increase pollution from the vehicle:

* The engine must be the same year or newer than the vehicle.

* The engine must be from the same type of vehicle (passenger car, light-duty truck, heavy-duty truck, etc.) based on gross vehicle weight.

* If the vehicle is a California certified vehicle then the engine must also be a California certified engine.

* All emissions control equipment must remain on the installed engine.

After an engine change, vehicles must first be inspected by a state referee station. The vehicle will be inspected to ensure that all the equipment required is in place, and vehicle will be emissions tested subject to the specifications of the installed engine.




Short & Skinny.. JDMs are fine for using in an exact engine replacement (JDM GSR motor can be installed to replace a blown USDM GSR motor in an Integra GSR chasis with proper USDM smog parts). For swap set-ups (civics with integra motors, preludes, etc) USDM only. Believe me.. so you don't have to waste three+ hours of your day as I have, nor the countless hours spent modding the car to stock configs and money for USDM parts. Feel like such **** right now, all a waste.. /me cries :p