What do i need to pass California state ref with 89 crx dx and a b18a motor?? i will be using the obd-0 motor 90-91 with pr4 ecu, i already have my DX wiring for Si wiring (ZC motor) so i dont need no more wiring on ECU.. and should i use the Y1 tranny or the S1, i have both but im worried they might say something cuz my Y1 is jdm. My plan is to get the BAR sticker, and then just keep the block and complete my LS/Vtec, that way if pigs ask for paperwork i already have it. What do i need to watch out for?? I know that a few people in here have done this before, i would really appreciate your help. Also to what ref station should i take it to?? i heard that the stations in fremont and sacramento can be punks and make it almost impossible to pass state ref.... i live in fremont, but im willing to drive far to make sure this thing passes...
thanks


[Modified by crxtreme27, 3:40 PM 10/10/2002]

 

As long as the motor is the same year or newer as the car, you are good to go. You just need to pass the actual emissions test.

 

A stock USDM b18a should be no problem. Just make sure that any aftermarket items (intake/header especially) are designed for the Integra, not the Civic. The ref will look to make sure that all parts are in line with what is listed for the Integra motor, so make sure they all match up.

As to transmissions, they don't look, probably wouldn't know & unless you're a dick to the ref, they won't care - transmissions have zero to do with emissions.

A LS/VTEC won't pass at all, so don't do it until after you get your BAR sticker.

Good luck.
Eric

 

you should do fine...either tranny will do...i BARed my car in sac and passed with a JDM motor...i failed the first time cuz of timing and idle...and if you go to sac get a print out from the dealer of what ECU is suppose to go with the b18a...they will check for that...they checked on me...make sure all CEL codes are clear also...

Ryan <--soon to be PIG 'oink'

 

msg EF_LSVtec, he lives in hayward and got bar for his b18b

 

Thanks everyone for your help... im gonna have the whole motor stock for the ref then ill put everything back on.... i will contact EF_LSVtec and ask him where he took his, if it comes down to it i will take to sacramento and do it there....

 

Heard someone calling, hehehe...I took mine to Warm Springs Rd in Fremont. I failed a couple of times but finally passed the third time. These are the things that they check...Motor if its jdm or usdm (not sure if they know the difference), wires on your O2 sensor (if its a 1 wire or 4 wires), Use your stock intake, I have one (stock airbox and GSR arm) if you need to borrow along with a new Catalytic. Thats about it.. What I did...1. Change my spark plugs 2. put a bottle of "guaranteed to pass" and followed instructions to the detail, yet I failed 3. tried to play dumb because I had a 97 LS and told em it was a 91. Your suppose to run it obd1 as suppose to non obd. They found out though because motor says B18b...I just made it look that I was surprised as they were...came back a week later and replaced my 1 wire O2 to a 4 wire and said I rewired everything to run obd1...they believed me. * I even had my jdm 4-1 header hidden under the heat shields. I told em it came with the motor when they noticed I passed running a 4 wire O2, 87 Octane Gas, new spark plugs, jdm header (w/heatshield), drove through traffic for 25 minutes before the test...Freakin traffic from Hayward to Fremont early morning is the worst commute. My test was scheduled at 7am... I hope I didnt bore anyone...

 

Irvin,

Weren't the 97 motors OBD-2, correct me if I'm wrong.... Why did they want you to only hold up OBD-1 standards? Do you think that the only thing they are looking for was a 4 wire O2 sensor? And as far as you think they had no clue whatsoever that it was a JDM motor?

So if I can get a JDM B18c1 or 5 wire my car to obd-1 using a conversion harness, do you think it would work? Did it look as if they were looking for the elimination of the resistor box, changing the dashpots etc. etc. etc.

This ref station, did it seem to be a reputable/knowledgable place? I remember someone not to long ago posted up an image of a pamphlet for BAR legal engine exchanges..... anybody know where it is posted or where I can get one?

 

My bad...they thought I rewired my car obd2 and not obd1...reason for the 4 wire O2...they didnt really trace all the vacuum hoses and how the wiring was done, just looked underneath the car and peeked how many wires on the O2. About JDM motors, they will find out. They have a book that has the codes, numbers etc....so i would stick with a usdm engine. Regards to being reputable? They're a good facility running behind Sequoia school for Mechanics so they have a student apprentice at all times. Not sure if they know all the secrets though like headers, intake, lsvtec etc...just make sure your engine bay looks as stock as possible and runs clean, no codes. Oh and one more thing, put a stock ECU if you have a chipped one, they inspect that too occasionally....

 

CrxSi707-

Pm Spade...he has links to a site explaining legal motor swaps...he hangs around in the hybrid forum

 

thanks for ur help, yeah ive been to the ref in fremont for having an intake, they are punks but i guess i might have to go there, what happens if i dont pass??

 

cali has totally ****** retarded emission laws

 

You pay once and you get 2 tries...if you fail em both like I did, you have to pay again and get 2 more each time or until they get tired of you and pass you anyway, lol...They will give you a print out and reason for failing so you can make some adjustments or changes when you return. Reasons why I failed...(first time) Failed visual and emissions (wrong CAI, needed 4 wire O2 and high hydrocarbon), (2nd time) put stock intake, passed visual but didnt realize I have a bad CAT. (3rd time-passed) replaced CAT and passed with a jdm header and 87 octane...

 

EF_LSVtec;

In one of your earlier replies, you say that they sometimes check to see if you have the correct ECU.

Are they just verifying if it's pre-OBD, OBD1, or OBD2? Are they checking what "version" OBD1 unit is and if so, how can they tell. For that matter, how can somebody buying an ECU out of a junk yard be certain what one they are getting. How does the factory "tag" them?

Is there any time, or justification, for them to remove the cover plate to the ECU it's self. In other words, do they ever check if it's been "chipped".

Wes

 

Sorry I live in Hawaii what does BAR mean???
please don't flame me

 

The strictness of the ref also depends on where you live. Here in Sacramento, they are VERY strict due to (1) the fact that Sacramento is an 'Enhanced' Smog Check II region, and (2) the large number of swaps done here. If you live in such an area, you will probably not be able to get away with using a 1990-1991 ECU on anything but a 1990-1991 B18A. They DO check ECUs here.

 

so how do people pass their hybrids in sac?