I am planning on getting a 99/00 Civic hatchback and planning on swapping in a B16A2. I have a couple questions to ask and hopefully you guys can help me answer it .

1. Which year is the best to swap a B16A2 into a 1999/2000 Civic?

2. The B16A2 is OBD2B right?
-From my research, 96-98 are OBD2A and 99-00 are OBD2B right? (I need clarification)

3. So for the B16A2 swap to be BAR/SMOG legal in CALIFORNIA I would need to have a 99/00 Civic hatch for the LEAST amount of hassle?

4. What would I need to make the swap BAR/SMOG legal?

5. What website do you guys recommend to buy a LEGIT B16A2 engine?

6. Anything else I need to know?

*I've researched!
** And NO I will not buy the 99/00 CIVIC Si! They are not the most appealing to me!

 

why not consider a b16b???

 

1. Doesn't matter, they're all the same
2. Yes
3. I couldn't tell you, I don't know much about CA C.A.R.B. and smog laws.
4. See #3

 

Well I want something that is SMOG/BAR/CA legal!

This car is meant to be a daily driver. So I'm not really looking for the most performance I can get out of a engine, just looking for a engine that can get me from point A to point B while having fun . The B16A2 seems to fit right in with my needs!

What I am trying to get to really is that I'm more into the car as a whole looking good than going fast.

Trustdestruction, I'm really looking for the LEAST hassle and LEAST amount of work. If it's easier to swap the B16A2 into the 99/00 I'll do that but if I have to convert things from OBD2A to OBD2B then I'm not really down for that :/. So just trying to plan everything out first! Thanks though for answering my questions

 

yeah the b16a2 into a 99/00 is super easy. depending on which model hatch u get ur just gonna have to add wires for vtec and what not. either that or get a civic EX engine harness and ur done! and yeah they both obd2b (plug and go)
the b16a2 is what you should get according to ur needs. my bro's car is the same way

 

Thanks for the info! Which model hatch is the best one to get for the least amount of work ie. adding vtec wires?

 

You have to have an engine that's the same or newer than the car that it's going in.

Therefore, you have more options with a 99, because you can use a 99 or 2000 engine. I would recommend a 99 car if you can find one. The 99-00 B16A2 engines are the same. Either one is fine if you have a 99 car.

Either way, you have to keep it OBD2b if the car is OBD2b (which all 99-00s are).

hmotorsonline.com is very well thought of. They consistently have the best prices/service from everything I've heard. Or, check hondamarketplace.com and wait for someone to sell one locally.

I don't know much else about getting it BAR'd.

 

Thanks again!

Well i'm going to start my research again to check which model I should look to get so it is already wired for vtec!

I also checked hmotorsonline yesterday they are mostly all JDM engines and a couple USDM engines (LS, k20, etc). I am really looking for a engine with receipts and everything. If anyone knows a website that I can buy LEGIT engines please tell me

 

I ouldn't waste my time with a b16a....why not go for something with more power like a B20Z? It's a better option and worth sourcing out.

Oh yeah, i own cars with both motors, i know which one is better, and my opinion is not bias

 

Hmotorsonline is as LEGIT as you can get.

Because he's in Cali and he can't put a light truck engine into a passenger car. He wants a legal swap so he won't get bugged by the cops.

 

^^^ Exactly! I already get enough hassle from the cops already with my car right now, and I know Honda's are basically #1 on the cops hit list!

And like I said before, I'm not all about performance, I'm more into the looks wise!

Reasons why I want to get the B16A2:
-VTEC (I can add the red valve cover :D)
-PERFECT for DD
-LS/Vtec is not legal
-Don't have enough money for the k20 swap
-DOHC > SOHC
-etc


BTW, does anyone know how much WHP the b16a2 has with I/H/E?

 

I still wouldn't do a b16, not enough torque, a b18c1 at least.

 

Like I said, I don't care about racing. Which one is more expensive the Si or the GSR?

I just need a car to get me from point A to point B RELIABLY. The car is not meant to be a race car or anything like that. The car is meant for getting me to places while still looking good

 

^^ Based on that, why swap the engine at??

 

Vtec, Red valve cover, DOHC, etc. I want a car to be balanced out with looks, performance, suspension, etc.

B series engines look a lot better than the D series too!

 

wow, your doing it because of how it looks, and a red valve cover, lol WOW

 

I'm all about performance to but there is no way I can get away with a turbo or anything like that.

So what if I am swapping a engine for a red valve cover and looks, it's my car.

Thanks for all the comments and replies!

 

Wow, I wish I had money to **** away like you do. My turbo build would be done in a few days if I had the funds you seem to have.

 

1) Gas prices are on the rise again. Check the mileage in my sig...

2) Ref/BAR?!?!?
3) Check the date on the Ref/BAR sticker. Still running great after 6 years @ 8000+ RPM!!!

4) Agreed! I prefer the OEM (black) cover for my daily driver, but to each his own...

 

That. Can't legally run a B20 in any Civic in California.

Still, watch the B18C1s. I keep telling people that you can find them for as cheap as a B16 if you look... I was originally looking for a B16a2 myself, and ended up with a B18C1 complete swap without going over my budget.

 

I'm completely with you on this...there's always a deal out there if you look around! I picked up a full B18C package last year for $1200

I feel sorry for all the peeps in Cali that need this Bar Ref certification, that must make things a lot tougher to deal with. Hell, where i live, you don't even have to run a cat, lol