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im sure in some obscure thread this has been covered but here it is...

we all know what engines will fit, but im still not clear as to what engines are legal, esp in cali. i have read that it has to be same yr or newer and has to come from the same company. so, a k20a3 would be legal? but the k20a,a2 are not...

i will post this in the legal forum as well so please dont flame for misplacment, just thought it was also fitting here.

thanks!

 
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yeah, it is illegal to swap in an engine that is older then the car.
k20a3 are in base rsx and civic si hatchback. those 2 cars were sold in 2002 years i believe, so if your civic is 2003, then it'd be illegal. if your civic is 02, then im not sure, just hope it was made at end of 2002? lol.

cali has many restrictions related to automotive. smog, emissions, modding, etc etc. booo. any jdm swap is illegal in california i THINK. not sure.

 
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yeah, it is an 02 but it was made in march. I think that im goin move to Hawaii. no smogging!!!

 
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cool to move to Hawaii, but I never seen a road faster than 40mph there!

 
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so basically those of us with the 03 civic are screwed right now for swaps?

 
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No, you can swap an 03+ Civic SI motor no problem.

 
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Yeah the k20 out of the civic si is legal.

 
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what about a k20 out of an acura? is that legal?

 
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Technically ... no.
But you'd be hard pressed to get pulled over and have the officer say "that's an engine out of a RSX". It could happen but I doubt it. They have almost the same engine code so you could probably get away with it.

Its just the difference from the SI to the RSX. I think its just different heads im not sure. Thats technacally the part that would make it illegal. It has to be OEM from the same make and model.

 
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so basically though all i have to worry about is if it's an 03 or newer engine.

 
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i heard it would be illegal for anyone wit let say, 02-04 civic swapping anything earlier than 2000 engine. For example, I think its illegal to swap in a 98 b18 engine off a gsr. But it would be ok to swap in a k20a2 off an RSX or something tho.

 
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An 03 out of an Si will be just fine.

 
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im still looking 4ward for that joint that hasport and hondata made...i hope they are gona make that gsr motor mounts and ecu for our cars...

 
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that is what i am thinking if i swap, go k20 then get hondata for it. then boost!!!

 
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im hoping to win the lottery so that i have enough money to build the k20 then run like 20+ psi of good ol boost and destroy a vette. i hate those things, they think that they are all that! at least around here. all of the wealthy, 45 yr old, midlife crisis guys have them and pic on all of the imports, same with ss camaros...after k20 boost, they will fall. (insert evil laugh) hahaha

 
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i don't know, a vette is a pretty good value for their performance. you'll probably end up spending more money than buying a vette in the first place.
but yeah, k20 with boost is nice

 
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vette is like 30000+

civic = 12000
k20 boosted = 10000
misc = 5000

27000 for a economy car that beats legendary american muscle car...worth every penny...

 
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HAHAHA!!!!!

 
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their is a dude that owned a z06 on a track..the dude with boosted k20 run 13.3 and the vet run 13.6....thats legit coz i saw his timeslip...so its more fun making your car fast than buying it fast...ryt..

 
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no smogging but u gotta pass recon... basically u have cant have ur car lower than a specified height.. ur intake has to be smog legal.. ur exhaust cant be louder than so much decibals... take it from a guy who was born and raised in hawaii...... just moved to vegas last year