Can JDM's smog in Calif???
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From: Carlsbad,CA/Athens,GR
Car Info: 2001RSTI
I heard somewhere in here that people can smog the EJ207's. If so what is needed to get them to pass. I plan on getting a conversion done and the pricing is much better on JDM motors (5k for a USDM aint bad either). I'll settle for a regular US EJ20 if things are too complicated. My car's an 01 GC8 MT by the way.
Thanks
Thanks
From what I have heard go to a state ref or even the DMV and they will send you in the right direction for setups for passing emissions ect. It is a long and drawn out process but it is still a JDM that is registered which is cool. Good Luck
Austin
Austin
Originally Posted by JamesGRrallye
I heard somewhere in here that people can smog the EJ207's. If so what is needed to get them to pass. I plan on getting a conversion done and the pricing is much better on JDM motors (5k for a USDM aint bad either). I'll settle for a regular US EJ20 if things are too complicated. My car's an 01 GC8 MT by the way.
Thanks
Thanks
Not if you tell them it's JDM. I just finished an engine swap on an Rx-7. I still have to see the referee, but everything is done and should pass. For info on legal swaps in California see: Engine Replacement and Rebuilding Guidelines
Don't overlook the fine print: "A federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified (federal or 49-state) engine cannot be used in a vehicle that was originally certified for California."
Good Luck...
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From: Carlsbad,CA/Athens,GR
Car Info: 2001RSTI
5k is also better than the $8500 that others offer for just the motor transplant. Also being 100% smog legal is worth every penny when considering the amount I've spent on my daily driver. I am just tempted by the extra power and cheaper price.
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Making a JDM motor smog legal is possible, we've completed a few of them. Back in September we did a conversion in a MY00 OBS with a JDM STi V7 Spec C. The customer supplied all the parts, so all that was involved on our part was labor. Once completed it went straight to the smog referee and passed with flying colors, then after that went on to get the usual bolt on mods. 
Now a days, prices have come way down on USDM motors, expect around $3,000. We use to tell people to expect around $8,500 for a conversion, but this is when parts were around $5,000.
When using a JDM motor, there is some extra expenses involved to make it smog legal. Unless the purchase price for the JDM motor is really cheap, it will utimately cost more than just a USDM conversion.
Hope this helps,
-Adam

Now a days, prices have come way down on USDM motors, expect around $3,000. We use to tell people to expect around $8,500 for a conversion, but this is when parts were around $5,000.
When using a JDM motor, there is some extra expenses involved to make it smog legal. Unless the purchase price for the JDM motor is really cheap, it will utimately cost more than just a USDM conversion.
Hope this helps,
-Adam
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gbmotorsports
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