Ok, we have a member that actually went to his local smog ref and they stated that there isn't anything in the book showing that you cannot swap a DOHC engine into a car meant for SOHC. So everyone go ahead with the swap...only condition of course are, you must convert all wiring to that of the engine (ex. OBD0 to OBD1), also you must use all emissions equipment that goes with the engine including the correct ecu (mentioned that they do check the ecu serial #) however they do not open them to look for chips.

I'm sure he will post more information for all of us to read and sigh in relief. thanks for checking things out bud.

 

Ok, I'm the guy.

It happens that I live fairly close to one of the Referee stations and I've never had any problem walking in and talking with them. Of course, if they are busy with an individual that has an appointment, I just sit in the back ground and don't make a pain of my self.

I've noticed that in reading some of the posts made on the net in regards to getting a smog certificate, not all Referees view the law the same! Heck, the fact that it's all called "guidelines" should clue you in. (of course, then you have to take into account the B.S. posts that are out there also)

The Referee that I talk to feels that a JDM engine is just a total no-no. If I wanted to try to get a JDM certified, I'd look around for a Referee that doesn't seem to think it's that much of a thing.

The reason that I asked the Referee about ECU's was that wondering about if they would know if you had an Hondata S100. Keep in mind that the S100 is an OBD1 set-up that doesn't have an external box. You would have to start with a P72 ECU (if doing a B18c1 swap) so that the external serial number would pass, but it would be fully programable.

Wes Vann

 

what exactly did he say was a no-no with the JDM motor?

 

In my experience they also require that you use the USDM intake manifold as well as the ECU. So if you were to try smog a ZC you would have to use the US version intake manifold. Which some might consider a d16a1, while others may not. For a b16a1 you would have to use the obd1 b16a3 intake manifold and ECU.


[Modified by Noahk, 6:55 PM 4/2/2003]

 

So is the DOHC swap legal for the crx in california? or will there be a problem with the smog referee?

 

Chances are you will have some sort of problem. The b16a1 is possible, but I don't know if the ZC is. But like was said above it may be different from ref to ref.

 

i dont think so, according to my knowlege. i went to a "SMOG CHECK ONLY STATION" witch is government ran. they told me that your motor can not be any other motor but the one that came in it stock. [period] soo maybe the guy was just a dick but thats what i heard.

 

Damn it must suck to live in Cali. Sorry guys.

 

You can swap enginges, but you have to take it to a referee station and they check it out. If it passes you get a new compliance sticker and then you may smog anywhere you like after that.

Basically, everything about that engine has to be set up just like it was in the donor car. All the emissions and electronics have got to be for that engine.

The rule is that you aren't supposed to swap in a motor from an older car. If you have a 96 you can put in a 95.

 

Silvei2;

The comment that the Referee said to me that JDM engines are a "no-no" is just his opinion. It's contrary to what the BAR web site says, however I didn't want to argue the issue. Keep in mind that I plan on having to go to this guy when I do the USDM B18c swap into my civic. I want to keep on friendly terms with the guy and not appear as a trouble maker!!!!!

I don't think that you would have a problem finding another Referee that would view it differently. However, you would still have install all USDM smog equipment.

Even if you have to drive a hundred miles to go to a "friendly" Referee, keep in mind that it's (hopefully) just a one time thing.

I can't highly enough recommend talking to the Referee PRIOR to bringing in your car. The image that you present to him can make a major difference in how you are treated!

Wes Vann

 

see i knew for a fact that the JDM wasn't legal and then i heard that the DOHC wasn't legal as of last April...however i've heard from a few that it really depends on what smog ref you go to..some are really nice about it and others can be disks...

but in order to at least abide the smog rules as best you can the guidelines are the engine needs to be the same year or newer than your car
and you need to have all emissions equipment that goes along with the engine as well as the ECU...

now stuff like an intake manifold honestly i don't think any smog ref is going to say whether it belongs to your engine or not they would have to have some real knowledge...

so those are the written rules and that is strict everything else such as DOHC and stuff is sort of a grey area and is going to depend on who you go to.

 

thanks for the reply wes!

 

The Ref has manuals that they refer to to make sure that you have all smog equipment and vaccum lines hooked up. They also check to make sure that you're using the corrent intake manifold. I'm not making this up, this is what people have said that went to the REF and got their cars certified.

Stock replacement JDM motors are 100% legal as long as you maintain all stock smog equipment and intake manifold. The grey area starts when you swap in a JDM replacement motor from a different car. Read this,
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...RX/message/199

 

noahk-cool link...do you know the guy by any chance? i may email him to see where he did it...seems like he didn't convert to obd1?

 

It should be on the link. You might have to sign into yahoo, but you should be able to find it. However, he did it like 5 or more years ago, so I think the rules have changed and you need to run obd1.

 

I have a full proof plan to get smoged. keep your stock ****. how hard is that??? you need smog. SWAP IT. SMOG IT. THEN SWAP IT BACK. Just don't get pulled over. if that is the law bout the dohc in sohc is not aloud just do that. don't be to crazy with your car thats all. be lowkey. I mean yes it's ******* stupid as **** laws i will have to say. but you know what **** CALI AND THERE FAR FECHT LAWS goto any other state and none of this **** is a problem. LAME I could give a **** what cali has to say. My b18c5 is going in my 1st gen. and if they do **** me, bye bye cali this state is becoming not worth all the bullshit. Really i mean it. what gives??? i mean they wonder y there are drug problems and crime and everything eles. let the peeps of cali have fun. DAMM IT"S JUST A ******* HOBBY!!!!!!!!!! next thing you know we will not be able to have any kinda hobbys!!!!
If i went to AZ i could put a v8 in my 1gen and they could care less. just don't understand what cali's going to get out of all these dumb laws sep for a big pain in the ****!!!!!!!
Sorry i am cussin and going on on.
but you guys this really pisses me off.
It gets to me hard core!!!!!
SORRY BUT THATS HOW I FEEL BOUT IT

 

What an intelligent response.

 

Are you being for real??? or are you just pooping on me???

 

CALI = way to many laws

 

I imagine the reason that Cali is so strict is that the air quality down there is a real concern. Here in British Columbia, they never pop your hood. As long as you can pass emissions testing which are set at stock specs, then you're fine. My B16A absolutely demolished aircare, even though it was tested at 1.5 litre dpfi standards. It ran so clean, I couldn't believe it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pHadEd &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i dont think so, according to my knowlege. i went to a "SMOG CHECK ONLY STATION" witch is government ran. they told me that your motor can not be any other motor but the one that came in it stock. [period] soo maybe the guy was just a dick but thats what i heard.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you are in California, then I believe you are referring to a 'Test Only Center'. Test only centers are privately run. Not government run. And as they told you, they CANNOT certify an engine swap. Only a Referee can do that.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr. S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I imagine the reason that Cali is so strict is that the air quality down there is a real concern. Here in British Columbia, they never pop your hood. As long as you can pass emissions testing which are set at stock specs, then you're fine. My B16A absolutely demolished aircare, even though it was tested at 1.5 litre dpfi standards. It ran so clean, I couldn't believe it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I am not convinced it is about air quality. If it was, then they should devise a more comprehensive tailpipe test (than Smog Check II) which measures emissions under more different conditions.

 

it's some tree hugging politics. something about removing 100 extra tons of smog from the air? thats why they are so strict on the newer cars out there (i.e. our cars) compared to the older domestics. anyways this i have a friend that has a BAR certification on his 94 Civic CX w/ a B18B. His brother did it for him at a station somewhere in the bay area. I don't know exactly where it is but when i find out i'll post it here.

 

refs will vary...

my ref didnt sweat my JDM b18c...i still hold firm that a ZC will not pass

playing dumb wont get you anywhere with them guys....THEY KNOW ALL

 

So it's true that if I got a second gen b16a(JDM) I would need the b16a3 intake manifold and ECU? I knew I needed the ECU, but not sure on the intake manifold, and would I be able to use the sir2 exhaust manifold? Thanks!