I live in California and own a 49 state 90 CRX with a blown head gasket (700 mi on the new engine : ( ) Since the car is 49 state would it be a problem swapping in a JDM engine? Is it just Calif certifed cars that are not allowed JDM swaps or does it apply to any car in this state? Not sure how all this works? Thanks

 

California allows JDM engines to be used in cars.
The rule is that the engine has to be listed in the importers guide as a direct replacement for your stock engine.

 

That is good info to know. I know you cannot put a CRV (B20) engine in the car. Truck motors are not allowed in cars in Cali. But I hear you can put a jdm b16, jdm b18 in your car, you just have to go through the hassle of getting it smog legal and bar'd legal. It also has to be the same year engine or a newer year model engine as your car. So if your car is a 1990, your engine has to be a 1990 or above. If you get a b16a sir1 engine, and it happens to be an 88-89 engine (they are produced from 88-91) then you may have a problem.

 

also you can replace your engine with any model engine of the same vehicle and year or newer. for instance. 89 civic si Engine can go into a 89 Civic DX full swap over with MPFI is allowed without ref. i was able to confirm this is a Ref Assistant at my Local SMog shop. but you cannot put a 89 SI Engine in a 91DX the engine has to be Dated 91 or newer. Single Cam ZC are allowed without ref long as you keep the OBDO. you stick a Vtec head on and your out of regs. also the DOHC ZC is only allowed for the years 88-89 as its exact replacement is in the 88-89 Integra direct drop and bolt plug and play(dizzy has to be fixed with 2 wires for the cam sensor and u have to use 88-89 ecu. basicly the engine and car has to be same year. only the engine is allowed to be newer than the car. the car cannot be newer than the engine and if you do swap into a B16 you have to convert your car to OBD1or2 as the B16 did not come into the states until 92 i beleive(maybe later). please correct if i am wrong refs.

 

Engine has to be offered in your year car or newer. If you get an 89 engine that is the exact same engine that is used in the 90 then you can still use it as a direct replacement in your 90.

B20s have been known to be getting sticker due to b18s getting harder to find. Something to talk over with a ref first.

I've never heard of the dohc getting approved. The integra dohc d16a1 is not the same as the a8/a9/ZC to the point that it won't even bolt into the civic/crx chassis. The a8/a9/Zc drops right in, but was never offered in the US for any cars.

Since b16 was only ever offered in the del sol vtec, amongst other things, you MUST use the ECU from the del sol... Good luck finding one.

Obd2 is a horrible choice for 88~91 chassis and attempting to get it reffed. There is a pressure sensor in the fuel tank for Obd2. I have yet to see anyone with this device installed. Ref will look for it if doing their job.

 

I have seen a 89 civic si ref and bard using the dohc zc. It was bared as a 89 integra. You are correct its motor mounts are different than the teggy d16a1 but the dohc zc is direct bolt into any usdm civic 88-91. No motor mounts need be changed or swap as in japan the jdm ef si had this motor and the sir had the b16. If you have a usdm civic si its a drop and bolt other than the dizzy plug and tdc on cam.

 

Tho its only legit in a 88-89 civic.