Well, the law regarding swaps dictates same model or newer, but functionally, nobody would ever know that the ECU(or the engine for that matter) was any particular year. As long as its an OBDII ecu, it will pass.

 

Yeah, the law does specifically say that but you can't expect someone less fortunate to go fork out dealer cost for a new ECU when theirs gives out. There is a federal law now that requires dealers to service and replace ECU's as necessary, but i think it only applies to 2005+ cars and I think it changes each year now too.

an inspector isn't going to go out of his or her way to verify the year of an ECU and no state, even as retarded as California is, is going to send out a decoy car to catch inspectors to see if they do

 

LOL yeah, I don't think it would ever be an issue. The only problem you may run into is if you were to buy a 99 or 2000 model sc and swap an OBDII Supra engine into it. While the ecu would plug in and pass an obdii test, the DMV could bust you for having an older engine in you car. Its not like you can claim the engine and ecu came out of a 99 or 2000 model Supra since they don't exist in the US. Any SC older than a 99 should not be a problem though.

 

Alright. Thank you all. I guess buying an obd1 then putting an obd2 ecu is possible and emission would only know that its a obd1. Even if they see the obd2 port they wouldn't be allowed to plug in the scanner. Which means easier smog passes with all the benefits of still being able to monitor everything. thanks everybody.