Changing engine from 1985 to 1987 setup will require Referee. Set up needs to be completely 87. You cannot mix 85 and 87 configuration, must be one or the other. Yes, the Referee will scan the chip to insure the correct factory chip is installed or an approved CARB chip is installed. No open breathers, EVAP must be in compliance, if the cat was recently changed, must meet CARB regulations.
strange. i spoke to a referee in Visalia, ca. he says as long as the engine was an original optional engine, it's fine, as long as the smog equipment is correct for the vehicle year. a BAR sticker is only needed if the engine is from a different vehicle. here is my specific example:
i owned a 2000 acura integra. any LS, GSR, or Type-R engine was okay to swap, no BAR, because those engines are correct for that vehicle.
they could be any year, as long as the smog equipment was 2000 standards. as such, i had to install a USDM oil pump on my 1997 Type-R engine, as the Japanese versions had no bracket for the crank angle sensor. i had three different engines, no BAR needed.
now.. if i wanted to install a k-series engine, a B-16, or other engine that NEVER came in the car, i'd have to make sure smog specs were current to the year of the engine. a k-series engine into an older civic required replacement of the fuel tank, just to comply with the smog equipment. this was in addition to harnesses/evap/purge/cat. converter/etc. when it came to putting a non-option engine into the car, i THINK the engine has to be the same year as the car or newer.
according to this ref, i should be able to use all '87 stuff as long as i conform to '85 smog standards. it just so happens that with the '87 parts, i'd IMAGINE it may be more efficient than 85 standards. that would be kinda cool. i have no issues with burning clean!
in my 1994 integra, i had a 2000 engine, but retained all my '94 emissions equipment (OBD-I), etc. i was not required to update to 2000 specs. again, i would have if the engine was never an option in the car (k-series/b16etc).
maybe it just depends on which ref you deal with?
all my cars smogged perfectly.
if i have to REF, that's fine. all emissions/ecu/chip/etc will be OEM '87 parts. i have no problems with that. otherwise, i'll pass any smog shop in town. no worries there, either.
