b20 swaps in CA. How pass smog?

So I’m thinking about putting in a b20 into my teg. I know the block (b18 and b20) look the same, but:

How do the CA members with b20 swaps manage to pass the visual part of the smog legally? Do the smog guys know it’s a b20, not the b18, by sight or is it pretty difficult to tell?

How about passing smog in general?

I want to be able to pass smog legally by going to any smog and not worry about having to get “hooked up” at certain shops. Any info is appreciated.

technically its illegal unless you, among other things, convert to obd2 and run the hydro crv tranny.

just don’t even mention its a different motor, they won’t be able to tell. Just make sure the intake manifold is a teg one and that all your vacuum hoses, smog equipment…is all hooked up exactly like it would be on your stock motor. the only way they are gonna be able to tell that its a b20 is if they look at the block code, and there is no reason for them to even look at that if everything else checks out.

Say I take it to a old run down town where no one really knows anything about honda engines…could i pass then if they just run tests and pass me with the visual because they dont know what kind of engine it is and it looks stock?

Originally posted by surge2k
Say I take it to a old run down town where no one really knows anything about honda engines…could i pass then if they just run tests and pass me with the visual because they dont know what kind of engine it is and it looks stock?

thats basically what i just said. the b20 and b18a look exactly the same except for the valve cover, intake manifold and the block stamp. You’ll be reusing your stock intake manifold anyway, so that you’ve got covered. Chances are they don’t know one valve cover from another, so that shouldn’t tip them off. and they have no reason to look at the block code and consult their database unless something looks fishy.