Change in state ref regulations regarding swaps?

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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 08:20 PM
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Change in state ref regulations regarding swaps?

Hello BAIC, as I'm nearing completion on my swap (99 2.5RS -->2.0 WRX motor) I get a text message from my friend today that says: "Apparently you can only have direct replacement engines..." and "some people got rejected with their swaps this week. You might wanna look into it."

So I went on www.bar.ca.gov but didn't find any updates to their engine change policy/rules. Does anyone have any info on this? I'm really starting to worry since I already merged the harnesses together.
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 09:00 PM
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i think you will be ok, just make double double sure that you have all the (whatever year your engine is) emmissions equipment in place.
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 09:11 PM
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That makes no sense... Why would they not allow you to put a newer, more efficient engine into an older car?

Not only that, but think of the economic impact of not allowing engine swaps, lots jobs and such... It just doesn't make sense. What would the benefit of enforcing a law like that?

There's no logic there.
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by brucelee
That makes no sense... Why would they not allow you to put a newer, more efficient engine into an older car?

Not only that, but think of the economic impact of not allowing engine swaps, lots jobs and such... It just doesn't make sense. What would the benefit of enforcing a law like that?

There's no logic there.
but aren't you assuming that the legislation in CA is logical?
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 09:25 PM
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Originally Posted by international B
i think you will be ok, just make double double sure that you have all the (whatever year your engine is) emmissions equipment in place.
Yup, I have everything that came out of the donor car.

Originally Posted by brucelee
That makes no sense... Why would they not allow you to put a newer, more efficient engine into an older car?

Not only that, but think of the economic impact of not allowing engine swaps, lots jobs and such... It just doesn't make sense. What would the benefit of enforcing a law like that?

There's no logic there.
Agreed, that's what I was thinking. With the: "Apparently you can only have direct replacement engines..." Perhaps they might have changed it so that people can't put LS1s into RX7s or something like that. I'm meeting him up soon so hopefully he'll show me what he means.
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by dorifto88
but aren't you assuming that the legislation in CA is logical?
You make a VERY valid point.
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 09:29 PM
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 09:44 PM
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Here's what my friend was talking about. Apparently state refs can't bar JDM motors anymore. The following quote was from the Nor Cal section on Honda-Tech (my friend is a honda guy)

Originally Posted by hondarazor23 from Honda-Tech
BAD NEWS:
I work at the referee call center downtown and just got clarification on the engine change regulations. Apparently the only engine change allowed right now is a "replacement engine" swap. I wasn't aware of that, I knew before you could change it to whatever as long as the engine that is being installed is the same year or newer, same size or bigger and all smog equipment has to be carried over along with that new engine. Now i dont know if this is permanently or not, i doubt its permanent but i would encourage someone to start a petition and maybe get the process to speed up. BAR is the place to contact if anyone is interested in starting a petition of some sort. (and Bob of Alameda is a good friendly guy, havent met him in person but he calls all the time to schedule appointments for consumers, in which other referee's wouldnt take the time to do, so he is definitely best referee imo)
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 10:01 PM
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damn that sucks. i doubt its going to stop swaps from happening all the honda kids are still going to put b18c's and k20s into their cars. just gonna have to ride dirty.

let's say you get pulled over in your rs running a wrx motor which is smog legal in every aspect how would the cop know that it is not the proper and stock motor in there. so there would be no reason to send you to the ref..

cause i know if you throw in a big ole k20 with itb's into an eg hatch its going to look pretty apparent that it never came with the car from the factory. but a wrx motor isn't very flashy at all..
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 10:27 PM
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oh HELL no...
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 10:37 PM
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it better not be to the point that i cant put an sti motor in my car!!
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 10:40 PM
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Originally Posted by MrMakesItRain

let's say you get pulled over in your rs running a wrx motor which is smog legal in every aspect how would the cop know that it is not the proper and stock motor in there. so there would be no reason to send you to the ref...
If it were to pass, you wouldn't wanna be pulled over by the officer that knows his stuff. Then again the motors would look similar to the untrained eye; hell, the only way I know they're swapped is seeing an intercooler
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 11:36 PM
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they are closed again
Old Apr 18, 2009 | 12:36 AM
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^when did they close again?
Old Apr 18, 2009 | 01:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Pactin
If it were to pass, you wouldn't wanna be pulled over by the officer that knows his stuff. Then again the motors would look similar to the untrained eye; hell, the only way I know they're swapped is seeing an intercooler
When a car passes, the state ref issues your car a "new" VIN sticker that goes on the door jam with the information of what year the motor is and what not.

Something like this:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...xu/mail-12.jpg


Also, I'm pretty sure the ref stations aren't closed. Didn't someone here go to the livermore ref station recently to get his RS with an 07 STi swap BAR'd?



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