Update from CA SMOG Ref re: JDM engines
as of now my friend is putting a b16a into his ef going all carb legal.... also my friend is a smog tech with a licese to smog cars in california he has spoke to different refs and yes you could bar a jdm motor as long as you got the usdm intake manifold stock exaust with a cat o2 sensors nothing cut or spliced all of the emitions controls connected
Yea, good ol' Gus did that to both of my cars as well. Didnt really care for that because swapping in a replacement engine would not be possible without re-ref'n. He's the only ref Ive seen do that. I also remember filling him in on Honda engine differences when I ref'd my first car like 8 years ago. He asked me a bunch of questions about this and that, non related to my car or engine...then on my second car a few years later he hassled me over some stupid non issue crap. Wont ever help that guy again..
Anyways, hopefully my buddy hits up the ref soon (b16a into a 91 Integra) so I can update this thread with additional info.
Anyways, hopefully my buddy hits up the ref soon (b16a into a 91 Integra) so I can update this thread with additional info.
Yea I bet. He was taking notes and everything..it was hilarious I was telling him what was up. Couldnt believe it..not much faith in the ref/bar process after that day.
Better late than never but I said I'd update this thread when a friend finally got around to ref'ing his jdm b16a in '91 integra. He did it. Fullerton City College ref station passed him. I set the car up prior to him going (correct ecu, data link connector, proper wiring conversion etc etc) and all was good. Only mod was a skunk2 intake manifold.
My '92 integra passed at Chaffey college a couple weeks ago, jdm b18c motor. Everything stock except skunk2 manifold. I have everything configured correctly as an odb1 usdm gsr.
Apparently, according to the ref at the fullerton spot, "changeovers" and "swaps" are considered 2 different things. He explained it to my buddy and my buddy tried relaying that info to me. There was some stuff lost in translation, but it all sounded weird and stupid, which is not surprising at all. Who knows..
Better late than never but I said I'd update this thread when a friend finally got around to ref'ing his jdm b16a in '91 integra. He did it. Fullerton City College ref station passed him. I set the car up prior to him going (correct ecu, data link connector, proper wiring conversion etc etc) and all was good. Only mod was a skunk2 intake manifold.
2 weeks ago asked the ref in modesto at Modesto junior college and says they will ref JDM motors. He said to swap it in and bring it in. He told me they are there to help you so you do pass.
Majority of the state run websites are never up to date, even the laws and regulations on their sites are behind. Best thing is to talk to you local Ref about legalizing your swaps. They are the individuals that does the states' dirty work for them.
Anything is doable, I've seen old Toyota pickups ref with a Chevy 350 even Jeeps with 350.
Anything is doable, I've seen old Toyota pickups ref with a Chevy 350 even Jeeps with 350.
Spoke with another BAR Referee today because of all the 'new' information that has been presented in this thread:
JDM engines - JDM shortblocks (bottom end) are OK, because they are universal. Full JDM blocks are not approved. Obviously we've seen exceptions here, but this is still the directive coming down to the referees.
B20 swaps - Not OK.
JDM engines - JDM shortblocks (bottom end) are OK, because they are universal. Full JDM blocks are not approved. Obviously we've seen exceptions here, but this is still the directive coming down to the referees.
B20 swaps - Not OK.
Spoke with another BAR Referee today because of all the 'new' information that has been presented in this thread:
JDM engines - JDM shortblocks (bottom end) are OK, because they are universal. Full JDM blocks are not approved. Obviously we've seen exceptions here, but this is still the directive coming down to the referees.
B20 swaps - Not OK.
JDM engines - JDM shortblocks (bottom end) are OK, because they are universal. Full JDM blocks are not approved. Obviously we've seen exceptions here, but this is still the directive coming down to the referees.
B20 swaps - Not OK.
The em1 can use a jdm b16a since that's considered a replacement motor for the b16a2. Chp showed us a booklet that showed what motors could replace what cars.
I wanted to ask if anyone knows if a B16B can be reffed in a 98 ek if I set it up to 99-00 si obd2 standards and run all the usdm somg parts including intake manifold etc...






