Hi Folks, I currently live and work in Japan and will be returning to California in 2021 or 2022. I know i know, japan is awesome why go back (I can get into that if you'd like). Being an old school honda guy, I thought it would be great to bring back a JDM ITR with me. The fed rule allows 25+ year old cars to go through no problem, but as we know, CA has it's own Air Resouces Board. Once the car passes the FTP-75 test, it must pass BAR and SMOG.

I was thinking that a 1996 JDM ITR would be doable for this but need some assistance in the differences. It's been a long time since I swapped a JDM ITR motor into anything (which isn't the case here but may help). So my understanding is that the JDM ITR and USDM ITR share many same features, but the internals of the ECU are different. Also, my understanding is that SMOG stations don't plug-into cars that are 1999 and older (correct me if I'm wrong) so communicating with the SMOG equipment may not matter. however, to pass the visual, it will need all OBD2a equipment.

Is trying to make a 1996 JDM ITR BAR and SMOG compliant going to be a nightmare? I know USDM P73 ECU's are $$$ and rare, but I don't know if I need one actually. If you guys can help shed any light on this issue I'm having, I'd appreciate it. Otherwise, I'll just stick to a r32 and pay the $10k equipment and lab work at Toprank (via G&K auto). I would love to bring home a JDM ITR though. They're so sick. I also love the 1997 CTR but not sure if the case would be similar there. If i don't need a USDM ECU, then the CTR could be an option (assuming it is already OBDII). OBD2b gets more complicated so let's stick with obd2a.

Note, I've searched the country for a 1995 ITR but they are extremely rare and hard to find.

Thanks ITR gurus!!

 

Good luck. An ek9 CTR would be so sweet man. Much more rare of course here in the US.

 

Essentially the '95 ITR does not exist. Yes, cars that were released in '95 are titled as a '95 but really are "96 model year vehicles.

This ITR (I also posted it in your other thread) in Fukuoka is '95 titled but is actually a '96. Zenki ITR are OBD2a while Kouki are ODB2B.

Read this to get help with JDM/USDM OBD2 smog issues. If you push your departure back to '22 you can take back a '97 ('96 release/build/title date) MY CTR/ITR with ease.

 

This is great information and you really know a lot about this. And I could for sure wait until 1997. I actually like the 98 spec transmission the best. I figured a 1996 to 1997 should still be plug and play but 1997 brings us the CTR. Check out this CLEAN 1998 though https://www.goo-net.com/usedcar/spre...190608001.html

And yeah that 1995 ITR...did you see the dashboard? Such a shame. But what I'll walk away from this is that there is a way to bring in a JDM ITR/CTR, it's just a matter of getting the car's OBDII ECU to communicate with CA SMOG equipment. This all sounds doable though. That is awesome. The JDM ITR's can be had for about $15k here for a pretty clean 1996 too.

Dee are you going to CA one day? I miss mexican food.

Thanks guys!

 

I suppose another way to do it would be to use a USDM P73 ECU but they are like $1500....

 

I do miss certain 'murican (north and south) foods but I have no desire whatsoever to EVER live in California. I will visit friends and fam who live Cali but that's about it. That CTR with 66k km was pretty nice. The "'95" ITR also had dorked over door panels. The Japanese love to make quirky mods.

 

Yeah man you're making me think about going back. Portland is nice but getting $$$. I ultimately have to go back to the US but not sure where yet. My career is in NorCal though so was planning to go back there. Just trying to plan for that rather than buy a r34 that I would ultimately have to sell.

And as long as the car is manufactured in 95 then it's good to go and doesn't need OBDII I heard there were only 1300 "95' ITR's.

 

So I do have a folow-up question to this. CA BAR and SMOG require ODBII and the corresponding OBDII equipment. From what I read, JDM cars are lacking some equipment. I think this is the list of what I would need to make the CTR/ITR legal:

- USDM P73 obd2a ECU - so the OBD2 smog center can communicate with the car's OBD system
- need to swap Crankshaft Speed Fluctuation Sensor
- VTEC solenoid (for oil pressure switch)
- hook up second o2 sensor.
- EGR valve - I need to do some research on this...I'm not 100% sure the ITR has this.
- USDM evap purge

I think that would be it though, right? I think the hardest part would be getting the USDM equivalent parts from an USDM ITR...if they even make them still. Thanks for the sanity check! I also think I'd need to get a JDM ITR since there is no equivalent USDM CTR ECU, unless the USDM P73 can operate a CTR enough to pass smog.

 

I think you'll also need a USDM wiring harness or figure out a way to splice in an OBD2 harness into the car. There is no OBD2 port on a JDM ITR so that would also need to be done to get the scanner to communicate with the car, that is unless you can somehow get it to communicate with the 3 pin connector. This is also an option but probably won't help you when it comes to smog testing. https://www.hondash.net/p/interface.html

 

Crap, I see what you're saying...you're right, they need to plug-in. Even though the JDM cars are "OBD2" even with the list I sent, there's no OBD port to plug into. Hmmm now I see why my honda guru's in CA said it's not worth it. Maybe it's best to bring over a JDM ITR or CTR, pull the motor and wiring harness, swap in a USDM ITR wiring harness or custom one with all the USDM OBD2 items on it, drop the engine back in and USDM ECU and then get it smogged. If that can be done for like $5k, I think people will pay (I would). Thanks for that info and that connector. I need to look into wiring in that diagnostics port! That's the missing piece.

 

I could just settle and get one of these EG6 SIR II's... https://www.goo-net.com/usedcar/spre...190713001.html

Pre-1996 doesn't require OBD in CA for Smog.

 

I just emailed https://www.swapshopracing.com/index.html to see if they can make a JDM ITR > USDM OBD2a w/OBD port wiring harness. I can't be that bad, right? I'll let you know!

 

https://www.goo-net.com/usedcar/spre...000788017.html

That one just popped up too...1995 DB8

 

Register in New Mexico instead????

 

Good luck with your search. Most 1995 integra type r’s have left Japan years ago, to find homes in countries with less then 25 year importation laws. I bought mine second hand in Canada about 5 years ago. It is one of 1289 produced in the dc2 variant for 1995. The only other years with less production numbers are 2001 with 25 dc2’s and 2002 with only one. A small number of those 1289 dc2 were fully optioned from factory. Might have been early production or I have come across forums that stated dealer ship show room models were fully optioned cars. A/c, abs, srs , CD player/ CD changer, power steering. Which only came into effect on later dc2’s. The car in Honda’s collection hall is a 1995 with power steering and abs. There are 1995 integra type r’s out there, manufactured in 1995. Just reading your post reminded me of my search, they are great cars to own and drive no matter which year. But I guess if you live in California a 1995 would be nice. Till 1998 come available.
Good luck with your search.

 

In addition to adding a data link connector , the ecu and the firewall evap stuff, there's still the evap equipment at the gas tank that would need be added which would include wiring. There's a two way bypass , a ftp and another one or two sensors down there. Also the return vent lines that return would need to be added. The gas tank would probably have to be changed as well? This would just be making the usdm ecu happy , not the state of California.

 

Hi, don’t mean to hi jack this thread but I’m a newb and can’t start my own thread. Without any automotive jargon (or you can explain it)
how can I make a DC5 2002 ITR California legal? Will I need a USDM type s ECU? Will I have to bring my car to toprank? Please let me know! Thanks!

 

Unfortunately it's not over 25 years old so it's technically illegal to be in the states. You wouldn't be able to get this BAR legal in CA.

 

There is this sticky thread https://honda-tech.com/forums/acura-...s-not-2805656/

there is a company in socal that does a ton of importing of ITRs already, they sell them off as shells. Would love to register one, but it would take alot. Better finding another state to register it than ca.

 

I think the only thing that would hold it back as far as emissions go would be the ecu. Japanese market cars run higher octane gas and thus more timing. Finding an USDM Integra GSR ecu and swapping it in temporarily wouldn't be too difficult. I bet the b18c5 and b18c1 run pretty similar fuel maps. Now that I think about it, do jdm hondas have catalytic converters? My knowledge of international emissions law is pretty weak.

 

Anything JDM that age will have a cat

 

I really wanted to do this also but it seems like it would be prohibitively difficult/expensive. I know people register cars in Montana because that state doesn't require you to live there. You have to drive around with Montana plates but it seems easier then getting a JDM ITR BAR'D. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with doing this?