s14SR20BlackTop

I got my 1996 240sx 2 months ago and i'm looking into an s14 black top swap. I was just wondering, since i'm in the US, if i got caught racing and they found my illegal sr20 under the hood, would i lose it before i got my car back from the impound???

thx

lil prison woman

sr's arent illegal in the united states unless ur in states where its not smog legal like california otherwise ur all good.

spdracerUT

don't street race and you won't have to worry. otherwise, whether the engine is legal or not depends on the particular regulations of your state. like in michigan, you could probably put a jet engine in the car and they wouldn't care. in cali, it'd be illegal if you changed a hose clamp or something (both exaggerated but you get the idea)

HybridAndy

California law has strict rules and hoops you have to jump through to change and engine (has to be same year and newer, has to have all the proper emissions equipment ...) you can get a Japanese engine to pass, at least in a Honda but it's a lot of paperwork and hoop jumping. I'm not sure about an SR swap since that engine was never available in our cars in this country.

Personally, I would just avoid the racing and stick to a legal venue and it won't be an issue but to each his own. Just don't be stupid, the rest of us drive on these roads too.

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HybridAndy - 240sx/SR20 owner

'90 240SX hatchback - 180sx front clip on it's way, project car
'98 Civic EX - CTR headlight and grill, Kosei K1's, daily driver

s14srpilot

The SR20DET was never certified by the federal government for operation in the states so no they are not legal regardless of where you are. Some states are more lenient than others so it's easier to get away with having an illegal engine in your car. Getting an sr powered car to pass smog in California however, involves having cash, having good connections, having good people skills and good negotiation skills if you know what I mean.

180SX-X

if they found the sr in your car, your car would come back with a honda engine ziptied in it...

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A wise man once told me, 'If you drive to win, you're digging a new hole, but if you drive for passion, its already been dug up.'
If you're a driving person, this saying has meaning..