Dont know about the vtec controller but I know how cali emissions are a pain in the asss for hybrids. Well I talked to a mechanic that imports jdm itr's to america (front cut ones and sometimes full car) and he tells me that several of his friends' cars are hybrids and legal. The reason is that they got a P.O. box in Nevada and register their car under that address and thus avoid having to get your car smog. I never tried this myself, but it seem like a decent idea for something with a older engine on a newer car and etc.