emissions laws

[chopstick1981]

i read on some website that if you perform an engine swap on your car the engine has to be of the same year or newer to pass emissions, so heres my question... i put an sohc zc engine in my 91 civic hatchback, any one know what year hondas these motors came out of???

[90civicrider]

Different states have different laws.
List your state, and chances are there is someone on this forum from the same place that can help you out.

[civickiller]

its more like if your car comes with an obd2 then you legally cant swap in an obd1. also if you have an obd1 then you legally cant swap in an obd0. so when swaping a motor, you swap up on the computer system not down. if you have a obd0 then you can legally swap a obd2 in but not the other way around.

[91civicDXdude]

civickiller, he's right. the engine you put in your car has to be the same year or newer. even if you had a 91 civic, you couldn't swap an engine out of a 90 civic or it would be illegal, although with a swap on that small of time gap, im sure the shop wouldnt complain. All i know is my brother put a 350 in his S10 and we dont even have emissions tests and it still wont pass inspection for the simple fact that the engine is older than the chassis.

[civickiller]

this is a quote from www.hondaswap.com

It’s also important to remember that its only legal to swap in engines of the same or newer OBD series. That is to say that an OBD2 engine can be placed into a 1988 CRX legally and without many wiring problems. Consequently its illegal in most states to use OBD 0 engines in cars that should have OBD1 or OBD2 power plants. Of course there are people who disregard these laws and regulations but its not recommended or necessarily that easy.