Smog or No Smog

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Don Bangphraxay

New Member
Hi i'm new to the whole engine swap stuff but i have a mentor with 10+ years of experience helping me. Anyway i have an 88 Civic DX Sedan and 90 hp (probably less) isnt cutting it especially when going up hill or trying to keep up with traffic. Anyways i decided to go with with the ls swap. Im planning on rebuilding with new forged internals and my question is should i make it vtec or turbo and have it be non-smogable or go with another engine. I do have the option to "pass" smog, but i rather be legit if possible. Will a gsr swap work?
Theres a fully built one i can get for 1500$(good friend)
If im wrong or sound dumb in anyway, sorry, really new to this stuff.
 
First car, little upgrades here and there,
But first suspension(shocks-nonexistent) planning to get KYB Excel-G with ground control sleeves.
Planning to get rid of those heavyweight rims and getting Enkei Apache II
 

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Take her one step at a time here bud... a mpfi conversion and some suspension is where I would start, tons of swaps can be done for less than $1500 , and any swap to pass "smog" or emissions can be difficult if needed
 
If your buddy has personally swapped a B18 in an OBD0 Civic (EF)....I would do that. It will be way more fun to drive and will pass smog (except CA...mostly) with the correct B18 O2 and the cat for your EF. No need to build the bottom end. Get one with life left on it and enjoy. Then you can create a plan for the next modifications....VTEC, Bottom End, Top End, Forced Induction, etc.
 
Why wouldnt the b18 pass emissions in CA? I'm about to see the ref on Tuesday for my B20B and everything sounded honkey dorey when I spoke on the phone with the ref center.
 
Why wouldnt the b18 pass emissions in CA? I'm about to see the ref on Tuesday for my B20B and everything sounded honkey dorey when I spoke on the phone with the ref center.
B20 is a utility/truck motor and is not smog legal swap in a Civic in CA. If the ref is cool with it....good for you.

Other Bswap set ups in CA need it to be ref'd to be totally legit. I smoged my Bswap set ups for over 12 years by just getting the smog done....no bar. But I live up north where smog shop motor knowledge is limited in many cases.
 
You NEED to get your facts straight. The JDM B20B is the DIRECT replacement engine for the B18A1/B1. The JDM engine is NOT considered a utility truck engine, it IS considered a direct replacement motor for acura integras. MANY people out here in Cali with LS and B20B civics that are BARD and LEGAL. Any LS swap with the smog equipment will EASILY pass state ref and smog. Show me proof that an LS/B20B swap is illegal.
 
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