Is JDM Engine Legal?

I was wondering where the jdm engine would be legal. i live in connecticut. if you dont know, how could i find out if it is? If i got the jdm engine, would i fail the emissions test and if so how could i get around this? sorry for all the questions

my suggestion is find someone u can pay off, then u wont have to worry but i have no clue on how to find out. i live in cali and i know they arent legal:p

i heard they are legal in cali
ask kaneato in in the Cali forum

well some are and some arent thats what ive been hearing lately, but dont quote me on it

yea thats why i dont know if i wanna get a b16a swap which is legal or the zc which i am unsure about

i say go with the b16 or if u can afford it or if its legal get a b18c1, but thats just my opinion:alien:

yea i want the b16a1 but i dont have the money

YES it is LEGAL.. i live in chicago and my friend passed the emissions with a b16 rex with i/h/e! I'm pretty sure they're legal at ur place. The only place ppl have a tough time passing the emissions is califoria!

yea thats beacuse the smog officials are a bunch of f*ckers:flipa: :flipa:

Originally posted by TypeSi
my suggestion is find someone u can pay off, then u wont have to worry but i have no clue on how to find out. i live in cali and i know they arent legal:p

Exactly!

They are hard to make legal in Cali. :mad: :mad: :mad: If you can bribe a smog tester (provided you have hookups), then good on ya mate. For everyone else here in Cali...it sucks arse. A lot of people here bribe though.

It might not be totally legit, but yes you can make them smog legal and register them in Cali. If the shop knows what they are doing, it's no problem. Just make sure they bring it down to the referee board for you and you're set. What the referee place does is check to make sure the engine was put in right and that the check engine lights aren't on. They then give you a new VIN number which you will use when you smog your car. Because the specs of the new engine probably output more pollution, the smog people will be using your new VIN, showing you have that bigger engine, so they'll use higher tolerances for your smog output.

But the short answer is YES, you can have a JDM engine smogged in your CALI car!

SWEEEEEEEEEETTTTTT!!!!!

Originally posted by super 96 accord
It might not be totally legit, but yes you can make them smog legal and register them in Cali. If the shop knows what they are doing, it's no problem. Just make sure they bring it down to the referee board for you and you're set. What the referee place does is check to make sure the engine was put in right and that the check engine lights aren't on. They then give you a new VIN number which you will use when you smog your car. Because the specs of the new engine probably output more pollution, the smog people will be using your new VIN, showing you have that bigger engine, so they'll use higher tolerances for your smog output.

But the short answer is YES, you can have a JDM engine smogged in your CALI car!

so as long everything (o2 sensors, etc ) are hooked up correctly......a jdm b16a1 would be legal in california....correct?......how much would that whole ordeal cost for a b16a1 into a 92 hatchback?

lol b16a swap in a rex oh yeah!

I have a B16A1 in my Rex and I passed emissions just fine...

OOOook so maybe 30 on the side may have helped a little....lol....

It all depends on the state everystate verys

in Maryland you have to have a engine the same year or newer if you do a swap

if so then they test you for the car the engine came out of
but if you can't pass smog for the specs of the new engine you CAN NOT get a waver

with the stock engine if you spend in maryland 450bucks they will write you a waver

also in maryland Im almost fully sure JDM engines as with most states are not US smoged so they wont let you use them I know in maryland they will bust your ass for anything to get more money out of you @#$@#$ people

one good thing about SMOG people is everyone is a DUMB @#$#@$ and does not know anything last time I had my civic tested he asked if it was a accord

for the most part honda engines run really really really clean so when you take the test they end up passing

in maryland they look for a cat and do a wheel test other then that they don't pop the hood or check anything else they want to get you in and out as fast as they can so they can kill more time doing what ever it is they do...

Jeff

yeah but in cali they pop the hood and everything

Yes thats true but Im pretty sure they don't in connecticut
besides if the guys that work at the maryland smog poped the hood they would not know anything anyways

even if it said chevy on the valve cover they are really really really dumb maybe 1 out of 5 would pick up on the chevy logo

Jeff

Originally posted by jeffie7
Yes thats true but Im pretty sure they don't in connecticut
besides if the guys that work at the maryland smog poped the hood they would not know anything anyways

even if it said chevy on the valve cover they are really really really dumb maybe 1 out of 5 would pick up on the chevy logo

Jeff

finally....a state that won't notice my chevy malibu engine in my civic.....i can hit 17's!!!!!

I have never heard of JDM engines being illegal in any state. Each state does have specific EPA requirements that your engine must meet though. You also have to check with the county you reside in. Many times heavily populated counties have even stricter EPA standards. OH yea. It is illegal in almost every state to put an engine in your car that is from a car older than your car (i.e. i have a 2001 civic therefore it would be illegal to put an engine in it from a 2000 or older car)

arg cali sucks big time we get all the sweet jap parts but can't use them.... whats the point!

There's a reason we get "all the sweet jap parts". It's because you can use them if you know how :)

u could always move to an area that doesn't require smog like i did. i only have 2 smog the first time upon buying a car after that do the swap and no one ever knows. ....SWEET....

yes well some of us are stuck at our locations :(

yes you can pass smog/emsions i have a b16a and just it to pass all i did was put the cat back on. i also have a bullfrog ecu programmed with a 8500rpm redline and rsr exhaust. i've heard the b16a2 will not pass but don't quote me on that. just make sure you have your cat on and all of your exhuast is tight so there is no leaks in that will fail you. good luck.

why would the JDM engines be illegal????

because they're jdm......they're not for usdm market and usdm cars.......if they were legal, don't you think everyone would be getting swaps and shit?......also there's the problem of emissions......and stuff.....i heard that as long as the motor is the same or newer year and the same car make, then it's legal.......but i think that only applies to usdm.......i'm not too sure about jdm engines......

Technically speaking, ANY modification to your car that is not a direct OEM replacement is illegal....... so yeah, a JDM swap is illegal, technically speaking...... as well as exhausts, altezza tail lights, lowered ride height, etc....... if you really want to be technical. Truth be told however, 99% of the people administering the smog test in states OTHER than Cali either:
A) Dont have a fucking clue as to WHAT engine comes with the car

or

B) Don't give two shits...

yes but cali knos their stuff :(

Originally posted by Phatwhippin_CRX
Technically speaking, ANY modification to your car that is not a direct OEM replacement is illegal....... so yeah, a JDM swap is illegal, technically speaking...... as well as exhausts, altezza tail lights, lowered ride height, etc....... if you really want to be technical. Truth be told however, 99% of the people administering the smog test in states OTHER than Cali either:
A) Dont have a fucking clue as to WHAT engine comes with the car

or

B) Don't give two shits...

Wait.......you're tellig me any modification is illegal.......but what's with the 50 state legal exhausts, turbos, etc........and what about DOT approved altezza's?..........if you're telling me they're illegal, then how can these parts be sold?.......maybe i'm not understanding the finer details........but can u explain?

Originally posted by spy54
yes but cali knos their stuff :(

Turn that frown upside down :)

Yes, Cali knows their stuff, but so do a lot of the mechanics here :)


And as far as why most people don't get swaps done, I'd tend to think it was more of a money issue because it's not that hard getting them smoggable and 'legal'.

some states are trying to make it so you have to have everything stock on your car but it will never happen becuase theres to much money flow out there in aftermarket and the Gov will not like it if that Extra Tax money stops coming in

why spend the extra money on the exhuast if yours works fine same for intake.... thats 400-600 bucks that could have been taxed but still people like gore are still trying to fight for clean air even tho half the time a free flowing intake/exhuast help smog out since the engine works less to run right

also about JDM engines its all about US SMog laws US engines were made to fit US specs and JDM engines were made to fit JDM specs thats why if you ever want to import a Skyline they have to charge you out the muffler to add stuff to it to make it smog legal

even if JDM engines come with smog things intake its still not made for the US market so there for la la la la la gov crap la la la more gov crap
thats why you can't have them

also its yet another thing that takes from there pockets think of how much money a rebuild or replacment US engine is vs a JDM engine

the prices I've seen up to 3 times as much for a engine that has 100-150 MORE MILES!

thats all the more money that will be spent into this countrys taxes

lucky for us the goverment does not need to know what we do under our hoods =)

Originally posted by tenzoracerevovii


Wait.......you're tellig me any modification is illegal.......but what's with the 50 state legal exhausts, turbos, etc........and what about DOT approved altezza's?..........if you're telling me they're illegal, then how can these parts be sold?.......maybe i'm not understanding the finer details........but can u explain?


Those 50 state legal and DOT stickers really don't mean shit. Sure. they pass pollutions inspections, and noise levels, etc...... but it still doesn't mean that it conforms with your states vehicle code.

hey i have a ZC and i dont think that there is any way that i could pass any kind of emissions test.. so i think that all JDM motors are the same... that is why Japs get rid of them after 50,000 miles too though...

i dont' get it.......why would they advertise that it's 50 state legal then?.....wouldn't that be like false advertisement or something........if it doesn't conform with certain states, then shouldn't they call it 47 state legal or something?........:confused:

IF anyone is looking for good prices for the b16a check out
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GOOD PRICES ON JDM ENGINES CHECK OUT
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alright so lets synthesize our info ABOUT THE ENGINE.

you get JDM swap and take to a smog ref, he scopes it out and makes sure it is all done correctly then you get a new vin and your engine gets tested as the engien specs and not those of what you previously had.

you go home happy and with lot of power and the smog ref goes homw with a cool 40 in his pocket :devil:

:) If your looking for a site that has JDM ENGINES check out
http://members.aol.com/vtecv

I would say spy54 nailed it right on the head!

alright so that gors for JDM engines or would USDM engines be better?

anyone?

Better in which way?? It all depends on what YOU want and what your goals are for what you're doing. I don't really see there being that much of a difference in them to spend a great difference in money, but I just like telling people, Yeah, I have a JDM engine :) Just kinda sounds better.

i meant as in get passed for inspection, are refs easier on jdm or usdm engine swaps?

Originally posted by spy54
i meant as in get passed for inspection, are refs easier on jdm or usdm engine swaps?

USDM

so if i wanted to get a b16 installed it would be better to have the usdm del sol b16a put in insteal of the JDM b16a?

Well just think about it...its made for american smog specs so therefore it should pass with no problem. If you gonna get that Del Sol motor u got to convert ur obd0 to obd1 or 2 depending on wat year. Plus its a hydraulic tranny but you can replace it with the cable. :)

I don't think they're knowledgable to know the difference.

im with supeer 96 accord on this one, i dont think they would know the difference. so i dont think it would matter.

yeah good point

what if ur JDM motor is older than ur car? what can u do to make that legal?

Nothing, if you're in Cali. I'm sure some places don't even care. Another thing also is I don't even know if the engine itself has a code or anything that indicates what year it is. But if you're 96+ you def need a 96+ because of the obdII.

i dont know wat to put under the hood of my 94 civic .............but i want to keep the air and power steerin..................some one pleez help me!!!!!! wat motor would be the best swap to put in the car!!!!!!!!!

i need power & the speed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Try checking in the civic forums. I only know about the H22 and with that you'd lose your AC and PS.

alright JDM isn't legal in cali

http://hybrid.honda-perf.org/tech/refstory.html

I take it this is the part you are talking about...

.... he just knows that if it's not listed in 'tha book' he has, then it's not certifyable.....and the B16A, ZC, and B18C are not listed as certified replacement engines for Hondas....... B16A3, B18C1, B18A1, B18B1 and D16A6 or whatever are-the ones issued in American cars
..........

From what I can tell those are all civic/integ motors. Are those engine codes that are given JDM only motors? Because the H22 is offered here as a USDM so they won't be able to tell right away that it's not USDM like those ones listed above.

haha you went from thinking you knew it all to questioning yourself muwhahaahah alright i think the h22a1 is usdm spec and h22a5 or something don't know my h22's at all but i don't think they will either you might get roasted or work the system and hell just get a some friends in the local smog ref station;) ;) ;) :devil:

Because I am getting a JDM H22a Engine for my 92 Honda Accord Ex! I live in Virginia! If anyone knows if they are legal or not please contact me.

no idea but if it was legal in cali then it's legal in virginia :flipa: just gotta figure it out man