Will it be an easy install?
Will it pass smog (CA)
I have a 1996 civic EK
so I would need to get a 96+ OBD2 engine right? (1999-2000 USDM Si (EM1))
Is there any difference between the colors? I see red b16a2's and black b16a2's

 

It can pass smog in Cali if only the engine is newer then the car its goin into.
I thimk you can only pass ref if its usdm and not jdm.

 

The b16a2 is only USDM correct? I mean dont only USDM motors have the numbers at the end?

 

yeah but just in case you should go ctr or something like that from japan.

 

Im sorry im a total n00b, whats ctr? Also I am trying to stay away from ANYTHING from japan for my engine because of CA laws.

 

civic type r
Yeah its better if you dont. Cali laws are getting stricter.

 

you can get BAR'd with a b16a2. you will have to convert your 96 hatch to obd2b and run a p2t ecu from a 99-00 civic si.

all smog items and sensors must be hooked up properly.

 

Is it difficult/expensive to convert to obd2b?

 

wire harness and ecu, for starters. can be expensive, but also cheap if you find the right deals

 

Those come with the complete swap I want to order online.

Engine Package Comes With:

* Motor
* Transmission (5SPD Manual)
* Engine Wiring Harness
* Required Cables
* ECU
* Distributor
* Intake Manifold
* Exhaust Manifold
* Injectors
* Fuel Rail
* Alternator
* A/C
* Power Steering Pump
* Most Brackets and Sensors
* LSD Tranny (Optional $300.00 Extra)

 

you can change the cars harness, or i believe state ref is allowing conversion harnesses.. so you could run an obd2a to obd2b conversion harness, or re-pin the plugs at the ECU.

 

so what are the differences between the two engine pictures I posted?

 

if the one is a b16b(red valve cover) the difference is about 15hp and $2000 and its jdm. if its a b16a2 with a red valve cover it just has a red valve cover. no difference. these aren't nissans. you cant just tell what motor it is by color. those covers are commonly replaced with red ones.

 

yes, just red valve covers. No difference other than color... Mine was black and I painted it red. Except previous poster is right - the b16b came with a red valvecover stock.

As far as how difficult: how much mechanical experience do you have? Do you have air tools? Do you have a manual? Are you good at figuring things out? As far as engine swaps go, it's one of the easiest swaps you can do, but it does require some mechanical prowess just to figure out how to take everything apart and get it back together.

A friend and I did my first swap with air tools in about 12-14 hours. The longest part was the wiring, and a few goofy things specific to my car and engine. A 96 civic will be slightly harder than a 92-95 because there's no harness plug at the firewall, so you'll have to use the car's harness and rewire some things... and you'll have to plug everything in after the new engine's in the car, which is a pain.

To the guys who are telling him he has to change to OBD2b: I thought that in Cali, you had to stay the same or better OBD level as the car... would it not be legal for him to just keep it OBD2a, since the car is OBD2a? I'm not a Cali resident, but I've heard a lot about it. It would be much easier that way. If he converts to OBD2b, he might have to change a bunch of stupid EVAP crap like the charcoal canister... I think that's different between 96 and 99/00.

The second swap I did (just a B20z pull and swap on a 00 CRV) only took us about 8 hours. It helped a lot to have done it once before.

You are going to want air tools. Trust me, you want air tools. You could do it without them, but... well... you could also hit yourself in the head with a hammer repeatedly. It's just not very fun.

 

he could stay obd2a buttt... the 99-00 si ecu which he would have to run would be a p2t which is obd2b ONLY. he will have to change the evap stuff also, because the si's charcoal canister has a purge solenoid, but im going to use a 97 ex canister since it has that same solenoid.