i have a 97 DX auto. hate it. i really want to get more power and a manual trans. but i live in SoCal, so i'd like to know what are my options for swapping but staying legal, or as close to? or is it a lost hope?

 

any motor can be legal in california if you get it BAR'ed. you can swap any 96-and up b-series in your car.

 

97 and up. it can't be older than the car.

best = type R (b18c5)

 

that's what i want to get...but are you sure it's legal? is it USDM? <--totally elementary when it comes to motors sorry

 

it doesn't matter if it's jdm or usdm. you still have to take it to the state ref if you wanna make it legal

 

b18c = jdm
b18c5 = usdm

 

A B18C Spec R (JDM Type R) would be better, no?

 

yes sir.

200Hp 134Trq 11.1 Compression(JDM b18c-r)
195Hp 130Trq 10.6 Compression (USDM b18c5)

 

but i read that JDM motors have a poor passing rate compared to USDM motors. I just want to get a bigger motor, and not worry about having it impounded or anything like that.

 

no matter what motor you get,you still have to get it legalized because you are changing out the motor. jdm or usdm will pass if you hook up the right emmsion equipment and run a usdm ecu for the motor that you are getting.
so if you are gonna get a jdm itr motor, you will need to convert it to usdm spec. you need to change your intake manifold to usdm spec so you can hook up the evap purge, make sure all the vaccuum lines are hooked up, run a usdm ecu.
cops won't impound you if you are "legal"