Hey guys, I tried researching this, but couldn't find anything. And I personally don't know anyone that has bar'd a gsr motor in a car yet. But my buddy told me that in order to pass california bar you will need a p72 usdm ecu from california (besides the usdm motor and all of the other necessarys). I never have heard this before. Unless this is something new. I even talked to a smog ref about 6 weeks ago and he didn't mention anything about that. I just rather be safe. But anyways, I have a 94 integra LS, that I'm swapping a 95 usdm gsr motor into. The smog ref told me this is a completely legal swap to do because the GSR motor was an option for the integra, so that way I don't have to get the motor bar'd for the car. But I just want to have this info, so that way I can smog my car without any problems and or if I get popped and sent to the ref I will be ok. Any help would be appreciative. Thanks.

 

i have never heard of any markings on any usdm ecu that would show thats its from cali, i know when i bar'd my h22 the ref never said anything about ecu's being from certain states

 

Yeah, I'm not sure where he got his information. But it almost sounds like something California would do to prevent swaps getting bar'd. But he says you can read off the serial number to honda or acura and they will tell you if it was from a california car or not. And that part is true. He called to make sure because he is trying to get his 92 civic hatch with a gsr to pass bar. But I honestly don't believe this is true, but I wanted to get some feedback to see if anyone has heard of this or had a first hand experience.

 

Slap your friend when you see him. As long as it's a USDM P72, you'll be alright.

 

Lol. I think I'm going to. So do u know anyone that has recently bar'd a motor with no problems? Thanks for your input.

 

I've been told by a few smog stations that are familiar with honda swaps that a GSR motor in an LS will usually pass smog inspection as long as you're not chipping/tuning the ecu with a different fuel map.

 

Alright cool. Well, I called the smog ref and they are supposed to give me a call back to answer my question for me. So ill get a for sure answer and let all you guys know. Even though I'm sure I already know the answer. Thanks for the input.

 

Alright. Well, I talked to the smog ref today. And he said I can use any usdm P72 ecu and I will be fine for california smog.

 

Yeah. a USDM ECU is a USDM ECU.. There's no special California spec or anything. Part of my statement is that you probably don't even need to BAR the car and you'll pass smog. What part of Cali are you from?

 

it dosent matter what part of cali he is from if a cop wants to be a dick he will write a ticket for a b18c1 being in a base model integra because it not legal unless its bar'd, although it is eaiser to go undetected because all usdm integras came with a dohc b18 motor

 

Yeah, I know. I don't have to bar my car because the GSR motor is an option motor for the integra. But the whole thing came up regarding smog. But its all cleared up now. As long as I have the USDM Gsr motor and ecu and other little necessaries, I will pass smog. So I'm happy again. And I'm from southern cali. Inland empire.

 

I was only asking because I can refer him to a smog station that would be friendly with this type of swap.

 

If you're willing to take a trek down to Westminster(Little Saigon), I recommend going to Smog Doctors. The owner/manager owns an EF with swap.

 

Actually I don't need to get bar'd. I already checked and double checked today. The GSR motor is an option motor for the integra. I can put a JDM Gsr motor in my LS with a USDM p72 ecu and still be legal. It will still be considered a replacement motor for my integra.

 

Thanks, but I have a smog guy. I'm not concerned with that. I just have a B16 swap in my integra right now, and I want to go stock with the GSR. And then I'm going to start building my JDM GSR motor. I just want Vtec and to be legal! LOL.

 

Thanks guys for your input/info and feedback. Hopefully this is helpful info for anyone else out there in a similar situation.

 

i was told this buy the bar station also but cops dont care and neither does the judge my friend had to bar a gsr in his base model integra or pay the $300 fine

 

That doesn't make any sense. Because the bar sticker will only say 1.8L Acura integra and the year. It won't have the specific model or it won't say vtec. Unless it's just a visual thing. But I've had friends and family get popped with stock cars and got sent to the ref. My brother in-law has an 02 WRX and an 04 S2K and both cars got popped, and there both stock except for suspension. And a few buddies with honda's. no major mods. I'm not sure exactly what happened with all of them, but no one mentioned failing or having to pay a huge fine. I got pulled over with my B16 in my integra, and the cop didn't even know what he was looking at. He said it looked stock to him. I just had CAI and exhaust. But I got a fix it ticket for the exhaust. I guess it just depends on the cop and how you react with him/her.

 

you do not need to bar your integra i work with glendale, ca pd and from what i was told they look at the engine size for example any integra 1.8 its all good dont matter ls or gsr. but for civic eg or ek when its 1.8 you need bar which i did it for my brothers eg.

 

Thanks for helping me clear that up.

 

thats not true as of aug 2008 when the bar was reinstated now the bar stickers say vtec or non vtec

 

That part I truly don't believe. Because the smog ref straight up told me that I can put the GSR motor or the B18b motor in my car with no problems, and I will pass smog as long as I have all of the emission equip. He told me I don't need a bar. Even if a cop sends me back to the ref, all they will do is verify its stock and legal. They will do a visual and maybe an emissions test if they have doubts. Thats what they did with the WRX. But I have never seen a bar'd sticker say VTEC on it. I will call the ref again on Monday and verify what is actually on the bar sticker. But I already know I don't need a bar. That part has been resolved.