I'm trying to find out what the differences are, I want to buy this 96 integra that was hit from reaer but engine is cool I need a replacement engine in my present 97 integra which I believve is obd 2...my queastion is what's the differences between the 2 motors or is it just distributor and ecu? I want to keep it legal I'm just trying to find out what I would need to do to put that 96 engine in my 97 car

 

96 should be obd2

 

Since your car is a 97, and you reside in CA, you should be careful about choosing the engine for your car for obd2 vehicles. You might not pass smog with a 96 motor in a 97 chassis.

 

they are both the same obd2 nothing different about them and smog or chp cant tell what year it is unless they look at the head

 

so a 96 integra is obd2 then normally?

 

yes. Anything 95 and older is obd1. 96 and newer obd2.

 

years 96-01 are ob2 in general but I think 96-97 are ob2a and 98-01 are ob2b.The difference between them are small but if your planning to put a 96 motor in a 97 shell, I would advise getting a 97 motor or newer just in case you get into state ref issue.As long as the year of the motor is the same or new than the shell, I think you would be fine.