Will a car with a swapped engine pass smog in CA?

e.g. a Civic with a USDM GSR engine with all the emission equipment still intact, etc.

thanks.

 

over here, if the donor engine is out of a newer car than it's a go. ie 94 gsr motor -> 92 EG is ok, but 94GSR motor -> EK civic is a no go

 

yup. as long as its a newer motor....(well, the motor itself has to be able to pass smog too, though.)

 

Here is a high level summary of the rules in CA concerning engine swaps:

1. Engine must be at least as new as the car it is being swapped into. Prime example: I have an '04 Civic and I swapped in an '04 K20A2. I could not have legally swapped in an '03 K20A2, but could have swapped in an '05.

2. Once the swap is complete you need to take it to a California Referree Station to get it "bar'd". Basically you will show them the bill of sale, they will do a visual inspection and than a smog check.

More details can be found on the DMV's website.