its only legal to do a motor swap from a newer car then the chassis ur putting it into if th emotor has passed all smog and retains all that etc etc… but its not illegal only in CA is it illegal with CARB, i think here you just cant register the car… ive neer heard of that
i have however seen how calisle treats people, the first year i went down there i got a ticket for leaving the show witout my lights on… it was 7 pm and it was dusk, and i had foglights and my parking lites on…