JDM engine laws in CA?

[OUTKASTxEZ]

Wussup, just wondering what EXACTLY is the LAW/Rules for JDM motors in CA? I've talked to alot of people and I hear different stories. Some say it is ILLEGAL, and some say it is can be made LEGAL? - as long as all the 02sensors, int.manifold is the same as usdm, etc, etc. I know the best place to find out this Q is the State Ref..but my lazy ass is too lazy, and by the time I wake up tomorrow morning this Question in my head would be forgotten (its 2:12am rite now). So, to end this story, does anybody EXACTLY know??? peace

[Leets]

Everything has to be CARB approved. If it doesn't have a CARB number listed on it then it's illegal in CA.
Leets G.
98 Camaro Z28/SS

[Dreamspeed]

there is no way you can make a jdm engine legal in ca.

[DOHC87CRX]

WHY CANT YOU MAKE A JDM MOTOR LEGAL

[JohnJohn152]

If the JDM engines were smog legal or able to be smog legal, then we wouldn't have to purchase tuned down versions of the same car. Example: JDM ITR vs. USDM ITR

[RS/377]

ok, it depends on what motor it is. If it is the same type of motor, with some different internal (higher compression, different cam, whatever) it is possible that you can pass without being seen by a ref to get it approved as long as it has all of the required smog peices that the ycheck in the visual inspection. It just depeneds on what the tailpipe tells you.

More than likely you won't be that bad off because Japanese emissions laws are pretty strict. You need to go to the ref and find out.

I can promise you it can be done, unless you are trying to put a v-8 in a CRX

[OUTKASTxEZ]

See what I mean by everybody having different OPINIONS/Views, welps...off to the state REF I go! Thanx anyways fellas...

[jdgti]

Don't forget to post up what the ref had to say if you go talk to them. I'm sure we'd all like to hear what answer our government is passing out. If they've been in contact with the police departments at all, you can guarantee it's gonna be fucked.

Oh, and don't go talk to the old Asian guy at the ref center over at Evergreen College, that guy is a dick. He'll piss you off and you'll have to do a big smoky burnout in front of his door...not that I would know anything about that... ;)

[Dreamspeed]

if you try to get it legalized and you don't pass won't you be screwed? and the jdm engine parts don't have carb numbers right? i'm too lazy to go check mines right now... anyways i have heard about people getting it legalized but not anyone i know personally so i can't vouch for them, well good luck i guess

[John]

impossible ... u need a VIN# on the motor .. jdm motors have jdm vins which when run by the police dont come up as anything so the motor is not traceable .. ILLEGAL.. wont pass smog because of the visual and higher compression might not pass either

[RS/377]

Why are motors ran for VIN numbers? What happened to the days that you could just go pick up a junker motor at the bone yard and put it in your car?

[OUTKASTxEZ]

Here you go fellas, I actually got this 411 from another guy online, looks like he beat me to the State Ref:

This is the scoop on the legal aspect of Cali.

REPLACEMENT vs CHANGE
Here is the real info and not rumors.

If you are doing a replacement,ie. USDM B16 motor is blown and is replaced with another JDM B16 motor of the same year or newer with all the smog equipment functionally and to OEM than it is all good.

If you are doing a change, ie. motor swap a B18C JDM into a USDM 5th gen civic...you are breaking the law. Regardless of smog equipment. For motor changes... you need a USDM motor into a USDM car. You will need the same year or newer. The same classification, ie. subcompact motor into subcompact car. Prelude's 2.2 will not be legal in a Civic, but the Integra into a Civic is legal. Then make sure all papers and smog items is in check. No stolen motor!!! Then you have 10 day to re-register the new motor to the car and pass State Ref. Station. This is the LAW...!

Ofcourse I've heard of JDM motors passing the State Referee but it's all rumors. I personally don't know of anyone who did it or any shops that can positively claim 100% JDM passing the Ref Station.

But I'm sure you can always find someone who will pass you on the smog for $$$. Hope this clear the air on CARB.

happy swapping... =)

[RS/377]

ok, but as I understand it, they basically change the classification of the car (a civic with a ITR motor will be smogged as an ITR), at that point, if a JDM motor will pass smog, then whats the difference.

Basically, evrything makes sense, but I wonder about this part

[Autobacs]

Hey guys, i have a JDM B18C motor in my hatch, i passed the smog ref after about 3 tries. And i know of another person in california with a JDM CTR motor in his hatch that passed-even with the high compression ratio.. So it is definitely possible.