I know that California is the strictest state in the whole galaxy when it comes to smog regulations. I was thinking of buying a Jdm motor, but if i do is ther any way to make it legal in cali?

 

I doubt it unless you buy the whole car. In Japan they dont use as many anti-smog devices and they use less sensors. You'd probably be better of putting a USDM type-R motor or a prelude SH motor. Make sure you get a motor that is newer than the make and model of you,r car or it wont pass for sure. IE:If your car is a 99 than the motor must be a 99 or newer.

 

JDM/USDM same thing. It's what happens after the downpipe (catalatic converter), that matters. As long as you have carbon canister, and all the necessary smog equipment passing as a JDM motor can be done. I suggest a USDM brain though; just to be safe

 

The smog ref WILL look up the engine block code when you take it in, and if it's a JDM block, chances are the block number will NOT be in his book. When this happens, you FAIL visual inspections, and have to pay for the inspection anyways.

-a

 

if your chassis came with a dohv vtec from the factory...than having a jdm motor of the same type is no problem...replacement motor

 

I have discussed this many times

A JDM engine will pass California Smog Ref inspection as long as all of the smog equipment of the USDM counter part on installed on the JDM engine.

To use the JDM ECU you must bring with you proof that the ECU used goes with the engine.

And yes, A DOHC JDM engine can go into a Civic or CRX or any other honda for that matter that came SOHC you just have to have the USDM smog equipment.