That engine was setup to comply with OBD2 regulations. I know Japan did not switch over to OBD2 in that year and I still don’t know if they have or ever will there laws are different. The difference in the engine is the VTC on the cam gears along with the actuators where removed and different camshafts added. There was a lot of CRAP added to 96 so in order to run a different engine he would have to swap out his engine wiring harnesses and ECU. This will lead to even more problems if his state requires an OBD2 inspection. Seeing how that car was intended to comply with the standards set by OBD2 it will atomically fail inspection.