I've searched and found conflicting info. Will I be able to pass a smog test or get the car certified if I swap a JDM GSR motor into a 96-00 civic EX in CA? What do I need to worry about?

 

Just make sure you have all the paper work saying that you bought your engine legit. Also you'll all the emission stuff & follow the Helms book on where they are located. You should be fine afterwards.....

 

Nobody on the internet can really answer that question and the internet version of getting your car smog/carb legal changes with every telling. I would recommend you call the place your going to take your car to get inspected and tell them what you want to do and what they need to see to be satisifed and pass the car. Assuming all your emissions equipment is hooked up (IE, the cat) it should pass a sniffer test just fine. You need to make sure you can pass the visual test without issue first though so give them a call. That's the only way you'll know for sure.