Converting OBD1 to OBD2... Anyone succeed?

Shift518 Automotive
1

Here’s the story… No, not of a lovely lady, but of a guy getting screwed by NYS and their new BS emissions laws.

Back in 2000/2001, it was an awesome idea to drop a '94 GSR engine into my '98 Civic… Awesome I say.

Building the GSR for an all-motor “monster” a few years later was an even better idea!

Then, after after only making 190something whp, I became sickened when I thought of where I could be if I had dumped all of the thousands of dollars into a turbo setup, I decided that all-motor was not the way to go.

And finally, after dumping more thousands of dollars into this turbo build, I have a pile of parts and a pissed off wife. Still, I proceed because this turbo thing is the best idea yet.

However, today when I got my reminder from the state that my registration was about to expire, I now want to set the car afire.

Due to the car being OBD2 and the engine being OBD1, I have obviously been unable to get the car inspected. I’ve gotten by for the past two years by swapping stickers from other vehicles. Very illegal, I know, but I didn’t think that it would ever be checked.

I went to www.nysdmv.com and started the process of renewing my registration tonight. I punched in all of the appropriate information, had my checkbook ready, and clicked the “submit” button. Much to my surprise, up popped an error message stating “No vehicle emissions inspection proof found. You must have your vehicle inspected before you can renew. Contact Emissions Help line (877) 486-6438 for information.”

Fuck.

Now what? I started thinking of putting the car back to stock, which would involve rewiring the components that were removed from the harness when the swap was done, buying a D16, and buying an entire complete stock exhaust. A viable option, but would probably cost upwards of a thousand bucks, which I do not have.

I also read some some instances of removing the OBD1-OBD2 conversion harness and plugging in an OBD2 ECU and seeing what codes it throws. A better option, maybe. But I still wouldn’t pass the bullshit visual inspection.

So, here I sit, enraged and at the same time bewildered.

I needed to rant, and at the same time, I’m wondering if anyone else has successfully converted an OBD1 engine to OBD2 to pass inspection.

I’ve come too far and invested far too much money to just cut & run or sell the car. The project needs to be finished, and a way to “circumvent” this system must be found.

2

Temporarily convert, of course… :nod

Inspect then revert back to OBD1 goodness. :lol

3

Get an OBD2 conversion harness and ecu. Read this (http://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1029958&page=1). Do it. Hook up a second o2 sensor. Scan to make sure you aren’t throwin any codes. Done

4

I’ve already got the conversion harness, so wouldn’t I take it out & plug in the ECU?

5

And I was thinking about the second O2 sensor thing, and I thought I remembered a thread on H-T about simulating an O2 sensor with some big ceramic resistors…

6

Yeah, sorry forgot you were obdII before. but you have to jump the CPS as shown in that thread or it will throw a code or something. And whatever works for the second o2, youre good just as long as you don’t throw any codes.

7

I’ve converted OBD2 to OBD1, never the other way around. Its just a matter of matching parts together, not impossible.

8

I’ve talked to 2 people on H-T that passed inspection with no codes using the method I posted.

9

Me likey this.

I’m assuming I should get the motor built, installed & broken in first, then convert.

10

convert back to obd1?

11

No, convert to OBD2 for inspection… Build & install first, then switch…

12

Pretty easy to do, a sohc obd2a ecu with all the sensors plugged in and working will pass with a b18 engine with stock injectors. If you don’t have a cat you can run an antifouler on the second o2 to pass that. Certain Obd2b can be a pain in the ass but your car is a 98 right?

13

Indeed, it is a '98.

14

good luck new laws that if your car isnt calibrated to the vin in example switched computers or aftermarket computers your fucked …or if your o2 sensors are tuned out screwed again ny is gettin savvy to our ways

15

Honda computers (of that generation, don’t know about the new ones) don’t store VIN’s, so I don’t see how that’s a problem…

16

so your gunna do it now, then do it again when the inspection runs up next year? :ponder

17

Whatever I’ve gotta do to be legal. I can’t just swap stickers this year with no registration… No plates = Garaged all summer.

18

Only the last couple model years have had vin info…so they are lying about their capabilities.

Certain other makes have had vin info available for a while but not honda/acura. They will have to investigate every car that may have a replacement or junkyard ecu? ::slight_smile:

19

dmv has your vin when ya register it they also have a list of calibrations to that vin dosent need vin storing on the comp to do it

20

My car has never been inspected since they started this crap. As long as I keep the same computer for each successive inspection, there should be no problems.