2006 IS250 LS1 Swap
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: toronto
wow this is amazing...i just bought my first lexus today a 2008 is250 an after checking everything on the forums i have really high hopes for this car ....an what your doin looks amazing gj keep it up
Hope you enjoy your new car. Welcome to Club Lexus 
Happy modding
I know you can get motor swaps bar'd in Hondas. Meaning you can put a dohc motor out of let's say a Acura integra gsr into an originally equipped sohc Honda civic. Am pretty sure it's just not a rule for Hondas and any make model can get bar certification. I don't know the exact steps you need to take but I know for sure that with whatever engine swap you perform you need to retain all emission equipment on the car so it can still pass smog. No modification to engine internals or external mods unless they are EPA Certified. Also if I remember correctly but don't quote me on this one the engine needs to be the same year or newer than the chassis it's going in. Am sure there is more but I never really looked into it. Most people do it so they don't get harassed by the police and to avoid referee tickets (state smog inspection). I wouldn't worry about getting my hood popped in a Lexus though, an ls swap is the last thing someone will expect to find. And there are ways around getting the regular required smogs in CA, just gotta find a "friendly" smog station.
California Air Resources Board (CARB) states:
Engine Changes
Engine changes are legal as long as the following requirements are met to ensure that the change does not increase pollution from the vehicle:
After an engine change, vehicles must first be inspected by a state referee station. The vehicle will be inspected to ensure that all the equipment required is in place, and vehicle will be emissions tested subject to the specifications of the installed engine.
Engine changes are legal as long as the following requirements are met to ensure that the change does not increase pollution from the vehicle:
- The engine must be the same year or newer than the vehicle.
- The engine must be from the same type of vehicle (passenger car, light-duty truck, heavy-duty truck, etc.) based on gross vehicle weight.
- If the vehicle is a California certified vehicle then the engine must also be a California certified engine.
- All emissions control equipment must remain on the installed engine.
After an engine change, vehicles must first be inspected by a state referee station. The vehicle will be inspected to ensure that all the equipment required is in place, and vehicle will be emissions tested subject to the specifications of the installed engine.
Last edited by jgbackes; Sep 3, 2013 at 09:57 PM.
I'm not in California but this is good information. I honestly have not looked much into how the state sees my swap. Florida no longer has emissions regulations so I know that wouldn't be a problem. I guess I can forget about ever reselling the car to someone in Cali.
Dont worry you can sell it to me in Arkansas! I need this setup, but I want an auto setup
Most likely won't go that direction. Maybe the next build.
Trust me, plenty of people in california would still buy this car. Me being one of them. Smog laws can't keep the ls1 swap is250 down lol