Hi guys,

I had a few questions about getting a new block and my VIN number and the date my current engine was produced. I am thinking about just turboing my Lude, since it looks like H22 blocks are getting cheaper.

Is it possible to tell what day/month a block was manufactured just by looking at the VIN? does the year on the VIN have to match up with the model year of the car? ie. a 2001 has a 10th digit of "O" while a 1998 has a "W".

Is it legal (in CA) for me to swap in a short block with a VIN number from a 97-00 year into my 01? Also, since I dont want to be suspected of stealing a block or something, what are the necessary steps to get the new block's VIN number registered to the car? do I work that through the DMV? or through the BAR/ARB folks? (or both)

Also, I've seen pricing for a used bare block (no pistons, rods, etc.) at around $300-$600, however the year of the block was not mentioned. So what how much does a used 00 an 01 bare block go for? how about a new one through Honda? I'm gonna call my local Honda dealers and ask them too and compare that with your guys prices.

TIA

<- BlueShadow, who *might* end up keeping his Lude and boosting the shiznit out of it.