People with JDM H22's: did you pass smog? - Honda Prelude Forum

red92s · 05-27-2002, 01:50 PM

I've heard its damn near impossible to get a car with a JDM H22a swaped into it to pass smog inspections. Is this true? anything that can be done to legalize a car with such a swap?

fourthgeneration · 05-27-2002, 03:21 PM

I once read about how you can get your car inspected by DOT and they can approve your engine swap as long as the engine is similar. If you swap a b18 into a civic than I doubt they would approve that. But the lude h22 swap, I don't see why not. I forgot what site I was reading but they got pretty damn in depth about it.

Also I was talking to Ryan about smog and he brought up the point that if you brought your h22 swap into the smog shop they probably wouldn't notice the difference between that and your old engine. And plus, I heard that japan has stricter smog rules and that the JDM h22s should pass with flying colors.

I'm doing the swap within the next month. And I live in So cal. If worse comes to worse than I'm just going to slip the smog guy some $$$$$$$.

cantdrive55 · 05-27-2002, 03:23 PM

When I took my car in last time to get it smogged, they sat there and asked "Is the the original engine?" If it was a JDM H22, I could've just said yes. They didn't question me when I said that my H23 was an original engine.

93si4ws · 05-27-2002, 03:34 PM

i failed horribly. all numbers were double or triple the limit. but then again, i have no catalyst. and a lot of hoses/passages are blocked off.

on the jdm motors the fast idle valve is blocked off. techinically this should fail the visual, but the plate is factory so who's to know, except a honda tech.

the other problem is that the motors are made for use in japan, which has a higher standard pump octance rating that what we have.

v

cantdrive55 · 05-27-2002, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 93si4ws

the other problem is that the motors are made for use in japan, which has a higher standard pump octance rating that what we have.

v

Especially in California. We can only get 91.

brendon2k · 05-27-2002, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 93si4ws
i failed horribly. all numbers were double or triple the limit. but then again, i have no catalyst. and a lot of hoses/passages are blocked off.

The cat is the main thing that cuts down the emmisions of a car a ton. I have a h23 and it got smogged about 6 months ago and had 10% or less of the amount you can have and still pass.

red92s · 05-27-2002, 04:31 PM

So the primary problem with getting a car with a JDM engine to pass inspection is the visual portion, and not the actual emissions output of the car? If thats true, I should have no problem. Down here in GA, there are so many po-dunk inspection places that wouldnt even take a second look at a Honda motor.