OBD1 or OBD2?

[TegEnthused]

Well, sorry if this is a stupid question but I'll see anyways. Alright, well I have been doing some research and I still haven't found the answer I'm looking for. All I wanna know is if I am able to swap my LS motor with the GSR OBD1 instead of the GSR OBD2. I thought the only difference was the ECU. I have a 1996 and I know the engine for it is the OBD2 but jss wanted to know if I could or what problems if any would I run into if I put the OBD1 in?......as I've found em' cheaper. Thanks.

[TegEnthused]

Anybody??

[92integ]

well i dont really understand what u mean im kinda dumb..(jkin..kinda) but u kinda confused me a lil but im pretty sure if ur taking an OBD2 out and putting an OBD1 in then u most likely will need the OBD1 wiring harness to cuz OBD2 and OBD1 are different wiring harnesses

[rewsintegra]

you are gonna need a harness conversion, injectors, distributor. but the injectors and dizzy should come with the motor.

[UCONNTL]

Originally Posted by rewsintegra

you are gonna need a harness conversion, injectors, distributor. but the injectors and dizzy should come with the motor.

Ditto. If I am reading this correclty, you have an OBD2 chasis, and want to drop and OBD1 motor.

If thats the case, The easiest way is a conversion harness and everything else should be coming with the motor as stated before. Also though since you are going to VTEC, I think you are also going to need to run the line from the VTEC selenoid directly to the ECU. I don't remember if the LS chasis harness has this provision. I think I had to do this on my 94 LS chasis. Can remember

[TegEnthused]

so I did some research and the engine would come with complete swap ..........mounts,ECU,head,block,intake manifold,exhaust etc.....except for axles.

So if the swap comes with the wiring harness which it does I still need to get a wiring harness conversion?

I know its jss easier to get the OBD2 engine but I think the OBD1 is better as its less restrictive... and that's why I really want it.

[UCONNTL]

Originally Posted by TegEnthused

so I did some research and the engine would come with complete swap ..........mounts,ECU,head,block,intake manifold,exhaust etc.....except for axles.

So if the swap comes with the wiring harness which it does I still need to get a wiring harness conversion?

I know its jss easier to get the OBD2 engine but I think the OBD1 is better as its less restrictive... and that's why I really want it.

Yes you will need the harness conversion since your chasis harness is OBD2.

Also, there is no difference in the engine really. The benefits of OBD1 is in the ECU. You could get an OBD2 engine and swap everything to amke it run an OBD1 ECU.

[TegEnthused]

alright thanks man. I really appreciate the help.

[coldfire]

I'm just going to throw this out there as a consideration. As a federal regulation, putting an older engine into a newer chassis is illegal. Doesn't matter if its the same engine really or not. Its an EPA thing. So just be warned, if you get pulled over for something and the police decide to do a good look over of your car they are going to notice that the engine is swapped and possibly look into it. Just something to consider....

[TegEnthused]

Originally Posted by coldfire

I'm just going to throw this out there as a consideration. As a federal regulation, putting an older engine into a newer chassis is illegal. Doesn't matter if its the same engine really or not. Its an EPA thing. So just be warned, if you get pulled over for something and the police decide to do a good look over of your car they are going to notice that the engine is swapped and possibly look into it. Just something to consider....

Can you show me where that is b/c I've read that switching engines has to be for that twin vehichle or make or model.... I didn't read anything about anything being said about exact years. So could you show me please?

[quic vic]

I take it LA is the city and not short for Louisiana? In Ca, it is illegal to put in an older engine, especially going from OBD2 to OBD1, if the person who does your smog takes a close look they may also report your car. if you are putting in a B18C5 as did, I you can get it legalized, I'm going through that process now, this forum posting goes over what's needed to make it cali legal.

[TegEnthused]

Na..... I'm actually in Louisiana. But I know like the EPA has standards for emissions also but I'm not sure abut how it is here as I haven't seen anything yet about how its illegal. And my car is registered in Texas.

[coldfire]

I don't have a book of EPA guidelines or anything. But I was looking at doing something similar a year or so ago. 94 engine into a 95 chassis and we went to the DMV to ask about it and they told us in no uncertain terms that it was illegal by federal regulations.

[UCONNTL]

Originally Posted by coldfire

I don't have a book of EPA guidelines or anything. But I was looking at doing something similar a year or so ago. 94 engine into a 95 chassis and we went to the DMV to ask about it and they told us in no uncertain terms that it was illegal by federal regulations.

I'm not sure this makes sense. Not to say its not true, but in MANY cases hardware is exact. I can see it needing to be disclosed for selling purposes, but what if you were putting in a year older but lower mileage motor???? Just doesnt seem right.

I'm thinking back to a kid I know that bought a theft recovery 2001 Type-R that had the motor and interior taken out. He bought a brand new motor/tranny from Honda, but technically that motor could have have been built in 2000 and this stamped with a 99 on the head right? I don't recall him having to specify the motor being from a specific year. I know this is a far out example, but this happens and can't see it being against federal regs.

Switching a car from OBD2 to OBD1 I can understand due to emissions restrictions, but just a motor swap seems illogical.

[quic vic]

as illogical as it sounds to us honda people, that is indeed the case, ofcourse if they can't tell what year the motor comes from that is a different story, my motor is from the 96-97 ITR, but when it gets legalized it will be as a 01 ITR, if the referee knows that the engine is older than the chassis they will not legalize it no matter what's been done to it, it's illegal, even though it is the exact same engine in most honda cases, with only some sensors different. but yeah it males no sense.