Whats the deal with these JDM swaps, im confused. Are they legal or not. WIll you pass inspection and emissions at DMV if you have a full JDM swap in your car. Im not talking about paying off a mechanic to pass you.

 

its legal if you can pass smog from a smog ref from what i've been told. and also its really really hard.

others say no.

 

yes, it can be legal. You would have to install all your smog equipment and also if you want to be safe. Have it certify and get a BAR sticker. Once you do, then it will be smog legal.

 

jdm motors are legal as long as they can meet us emissions standards and are available in us cars.
for ex. jdm itr must meet 97,98,2000,2001 (dependending on the year of the motor) usdm type R standards.
jdm ctr cannot be made legal because there is no such motor available here.

BAR laws states that you could only upgrade not downgrade when swapping a motor. so if you have 99 civic you could only legally swap 99 or higher motors. since there is no 99 itr in the u.s. you need to have a 2000 itr. and must use a usdm ecu.