Originally Posted by DiAbLo3785
I have this book called Honda Engine Swaps by Aaron Bonk and it states that any H series engine swap for any car that did not originally have an H series is not street legal, hence will not pass emissions, hence find yourself a smog check hookup
I don't know what Bonk is smoking... because the California laws
do not discriminate on the basis of engine model. They determine legality based on model year.
From
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/replace.htm
Engine Changes
Engine changes are legal as long as the following requirements are met to ensure that the change does not increase pollution from the vehicle:
• The engine must be the same year or newer than the vehicle.
• The engine must be from the same type of vehicle (passenger car, light-duty truck, heavy-duty truck, etc.) based on gross vehicle weight.
• If the vehicle is a California certified vehicle then the engine must also be a California certified engine.
• All emissions control equipment must remain on the installed engine.
After an engine change, vehicles must first be inspected by a state referee station. The vehicle will be inspected to ensure that all the equipment required is in place, and vehicle will be emissions tested subject to the specifications of the installed engine.