just wondering if any of the b16ers on the boards pass smog or do they pay for a fake smog,cause i know the engines are not smog legal.also i’ve read that when you swap motors you have to tell dmv within ten day’s of the motor swap.
first, i’d suggest doing a search for “smog ref” a good deal of info should come up.
first off, a normal smog station cannot smog your motor. They might, if they are nice or ignorant. But if they are a reputable and legal shop they’ll turn you away and make you go to a smog ref (in order to smog an engine swap at a normal smog station you must first have the BAR sticker given by a smog referee).
The main problems with the smog ref’s are that each one is different, and we’re still unclear about some of the exact rules for swapping. some refs are going to be nicer than others, some more anal and to the “T” than others.
Ok, its been recently found out the jdm motors are actually legal. Just make sure that there is a usdm counterpart --luckily there is. The b16a was produced here in the US in the del sol and civic Si. So, as long as you transfer over enough of the smog equiptment you should be fine.
One more dilemma. Obd. This one i’m still not so sure about. 8 months ago when i talked with a ref he told me that if the motor i was swapping in was obd1 then i had to convert my car to obd1 (89-91 cars are non obd aka obd0). and by the way, that is what i’m doing. Now, recently i’ve found some people who have smogged 89-91 crx’s with jdm b16a’s at the smog ref!! and they didn’t convert to obd1. So, i’m not sure if the refs just didn’t check, or if they don’t care, or if you actually don’t need to swap and the smog ref i talked to was lying.
I suggest you call your local smog ref and try to feel him out. Just don’t give your name or exact setup, make some stuff up.
let me know if you have any more questions.