Legal engine swaps in California
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Rep Power: 0 
Legal engine swaps in California For those who live in California and do not know the legalities of doing an engine swap, I thought I would pass on some information to you.
1. The engine you are swapping must be the same year or newer than the vehicle you are swapping it into.
2. You must have your car "BAR'd" by an official California Referee station. To schedule an appointment with them, call (800) 622-7733. The whole process takes about an hour and costs about $40. You will need to bring your vehicle registration and proof of sale for the engine you are swapping. Your car car will undergo a visual and smog inspection. If you pass both of these, they will attach a BAR code to your vehicle. If your tags have expired, you'll have to go to the DMV and request new ones. If your tags are good, your done!
1. The engine you are swapping must be the same year or newer than the vehicle you are swapping it into.
2. You must have your car "BAR'd" by an official California Referee station. To schedule an appointment with them, call (800) 622-7733. The whole process takes about an hour and costs about $40. You will need to bring your vehicle registration and proof of sale for the engine you are swapping. Your car car will undergo a visual and smog inspection. If you pass both of these, they will attach a BAR code to your vehicle. If your tags have expired, you'll have to go to the DMV and request new ones. If your tags are good, your done!
Its a celebration bitches!
iTrader: (17)
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 1
From: LA, CALi
Rep Power: 404 
uh huh
about what percent of people in california actually do this?
like 2 %
and most of the people that actually do this... what if the car does not pass smog?
is there going to be something in the computer that tells the dmv for the rest of the life of the car can not get the tags renued untill it has the same check over again?
about what percent of people in california actually do this?
like 2 %
and most of the people that actually do this... what if the car does not pass smog?
is there going to be something in the computer that tells the dmv for the rest of the life of the car can not get the tags renued untill it has the same check over again?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Rep Power: 0 My understanding is that a very small percentage of people (nationwide) actually do a legal swap. For those who don't do their swap legally, they will have to worry about being pulled over and a cop finding out they have an illegal engine. Then their car gets towed!
I'd rather do a legal swap. The chances of me not gettin BAR'd / passing smog are extremely small and well worth the risk.
I'd rather do a legal swap. The chances of me not gettin BAR'd / passing smog are extremely small and well worth the risk.
Originally Posted by HondaLuver
uh huh
about what percent of people in california actually do this?
like 2 %
and most of the people that actually do this... what if the car does not pass smog?
is there going to be something in the computer that tells the dmv for the rest of the life of the car can not get the tags renued untill it has the same check over again?
about what percent of people in california actually do this?
like 2 %
and most of the people that actually do this... what if the car does not pass smog?
is there going to be something in the computer that tells the dmv for the rest of the life of the car can not get the tags renued untill it has the same check over again?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Rep Power: 0 I don't know for sure. You might be able to get around having the car BAR'd doing it this way. But like I said in my last response, you'll have to worry about gettin pulled over and havin your car impounded.
Originally Posted by stonedonindica
Is the only reason to get the car bar'd so that you can pass smog? If you know someone that can pass it will that be sufficent? Not legal I understand but driveable with tags?
Registered!!
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,914
Likes: 0
From: California, US
Rep Power: 352 
cops dont know what motor goes in what. they dont know what a d17 is or what a k20 is. also i have never in my **** load of years seen a cop pop the hood and run the motor #, unless they had a report that it was stolen. ive had about 3 diffrent cars with swaps in them. cop pop my hood one time and wrote me a ticket for intake. this was back in 96. only other time they run your motor # is if your shipping your car out of the country. hey but good info incase anyone ever does. 
Registered!!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: LA, moved to WY
Rep Power: 0 I want to put a b20 and I don't want to go through all the hassle of finding one out of a 2001+ car. So to everyones understanding the main reason, besides legality, is to pass smog?
And about cops, they have no idea what is leagal or not, a cop tried to give me a ticket for not having the silencer on my car.
And about cops, they have no idea what is leagal or not, a cop tried to give me a ticket for not having the silencer on my car.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Rep Power: 0 Understand that the chances are pretty remote of someone gettin caught. Since I shouldn't have any problems getting BAR'd / passin smog, I am gonna do my swap totally legel so that I will at least sleep well at night. LOL!
Registered!!
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Rep Power: 0 Not to be a jerk or anything but most cops really don't give a shiet whats on your car. They pull our cars over for several reasons but the biggest reason is to check you out and see what your doing and if you're up to something. Of course you will run in to cops who are out to give you a ticket for your blue turn signals, intake, etc. Those guys are just being jerks. Cops are people too. Some are good. Some are not so good.
And there are PLENTY of cops that know what a d17, k20, b16 etc. are. Remember not all cops are old donut eating fat asses. There are plenty who are in their twenties who have modded cars of their own or at least know a bit about them.
I got pulled over last week for speeding. He asked me about my rear disc brakes and asked if I was swapped. I told him what all I had done to my car and he was telling me that he used to have a civic hatch with a b18 and now he drives a evo mr and is modding it. Anyways he let me go with a warning.
As far as the BAR goes. If you do get a ticket for your swap, Simply go to the referee with you paperwork and citation and the referee will slap a sticker on it assuming your engine is legit.
And there are PLENTY of cops that know what a d17, k20, b16 etc. are. Remember not all cops are old donut eating fat asses. There are plenty who are in their twenties who have modded cars of their own or at least know a bit about them.
I got pulled over last week for speeding. He asked me about my rear disc brakes and asked if I was swapped. I told him what all I had done to my car and he was telling me that he used to have a civic hatch with a b18 and now he drives a evo mr and is modding it. Anyways he let me go with a warning.
As far as the BAR goes. If you do get a ticket for your swap, Simply go to the referee with you paperwork and citation and the referee will slap a sticker on it assuming your engine is legit.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Rep Power: 0 Understand some of what you are saying. Remember that when the times comes and you have to smog ya car because ya tags have expired, smog stations are supposed to verify the VIN # on ya engine as compared to ya registration. So if ya do a swap and don't get it BAR'd you will get flagged right then and there.
Registered!!
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Rep Power: 0
Originally Posted by Quick Silver
Understand some of what you are saying. Remember that when the times comes and you have to smog ya car because ya tags have expired, smog stations are supposed to verify the VIN # on ya engine as compared to ya registration. So if ya do a swap and don't get it BAR'd you will get flagged right then and there.
Registered!!
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Rep Power: 0
Originally Posted by allmotor
true but alot of people in cali find ways through the system and even when it comes time to pass smog there are ways through that also
Currently boosted at 0 psi.
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 0
From: Southern OC, Ca
Rep Power: 0
Originally Posted by dj02
cops dont know what motor goes in what. they dont know what a d17 is or what a k20 is. also i have never in my **** load of years seen a cop pop the hood and run the motor #, unless they had a report that it was stolen. ive had about 3 diffrent cars with swaps in them. cop pop my hood one time and wrote me a ticket for intake. this was back in 96. only other time they run your motor # is if your shipping your car out of the country. hey but good info incase anyone ever does.
Why did you get a ticket for your intake? Not CARB legal?
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
cloudguy
7th Generation Civic 2001 - 2005
1
Apr 28, 2015 05:02 AM
