[CA Smog] Why are longtube headers not CARB legal on a vette without precats?
03-07-2003, 10:30 PM
#1
Team Owner
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Member Since: May 2002
Location: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
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[CA Smog] Why are longtube headers not CARB legal on a vette without precats?
I realize that most of you have pre-cats, and are restricted to using shorty headers if you're in CA and want to stay legal. But I don't have any pre-Cats on my '85, I guess Chevy added them in mid 86 or so.
The 'manifolds' on the vette are shorty headers anyways. Why can't some nice equal length long tubes be used instead as long as they have the same smog attachments? It wouldn't interfere with the catalytic conv's performance in anyway. I get the feeling that there are no smog legal long tube headers because nobody ever got around to getting them CARB approved.
Is there something special about long tubes versus shorties that makes them polluting? It all sounds like a scam to me.
The 'manifolds' on the vette are shorty headers anyways. Why can't some nice equal length long tubes be used instead as long as they have the same smog attachments? It wouldn't interfere with the catalytic conv's performance in anyway. I get the feeling that there are no smog legal long tube headers because nobody ever got around to getting them CARB approved.
Is there something special about long tubes versus shorties that makes them polluting? It all sounds like a scam to me.
03-07-2003, 10:58 PM
#2
Safety Car
Re: [CA Smog] Why are longtube headers not CARB legal on a vette without precats? (CentralCoaster)
The reason why some parts don't have a carb number is because it costs Hooker (for an example) a lot of money to get their product approved. They must feel there is no real profit for them.
[Modified by Raysur, 8:02 PM 3/7/2003]
[Modified by Raysur, 8:02 PM 3/7/2003]
03-08-2003, 04:01 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
Re: [CA Smog] Why are longtube headers not CARB legal on a vette without precats? (Raysur)
The reason why some parts don't have a carb number is because it costs Hooker (for an example) a lot of money to get their product approved. They must feel there is no real profit for them.
03-08-2003, 04:10 AM
#4
Drifting
Re: [CA Smog] Why are longtube headers not CARB legal on a vette without precats? (TIMSPEED)
The odd thing, however, is that I have seen replacement front Y-pipes for L98s without precats with CARB numbers on them. I believe the removal of the precats is legal in most states with certified documentation that the stock ones are no longer functional.
03-08-2003, 08:46 AM
#5
Re: [CA Smog] Why are longtube headers not CARB legal on a vette without precats? (CentralCoaster)
It's because california is under the extremely false impression that everything has to be stock to pass emissions. It's easier really for them to say that than it is to make countless special exceptions.
IMHO I think if you pass a tailpipe test that should be all that matters, visual be damned. If it doesn't pollute, it doesn't pollute, who cares how you achieve it? But then again that's the voice of reason, something rarely found in california.
IMHO I think if you pass a tailpipe test that should be all that matters, visual be damned. If it doesn't pollute, it doesn't pollute, who cares how you achieve it? But then again that's the voice of reason, something rarely found in california.
03-09-2003, 12:02 AM
#6
Safety Car
Re: [CA Smog] Why are longtube headers not CARB legal on a vette without precats? (Nathan Plemons)
It's because california is under the extremely false impression that everything has to be stock to pass emissions. It's easier really for them to say that than it is to make countless special exceptions.
IMHO I think if you pass a tailpipe test that should be all that matters, visual be damned. If it doesn't pollute, it doesn't pollute, who cares how you achieve it? But then again that's the voice of reason, something rarely found in california.
IMHO I think if you pass a tailpipe test that should be all that matters, visual be damned. If it doesn't pollute, it doesn't pollute, who cares how you achieve it? But then again that's the voice of reason, something rarely found in california.
Many of these parts don't effect emissions. I think it's crazy how strict they are. If you have aftermarket wheels you need proof that the speedo has been recalibrated. If you lower the car you need to meet certain height requirements. If you have aftermarket parts you need proof that it's legal in California.
Great weather, great terrain, but a dumba** runs the state. 2 out of 3 ain't bad. :lol:
Just port your stock headers. Grind the egr tubes down (where they go inside the header) and see if you can open things up.
[Modified by Raysur, 9:03 PM 3/8/2003]
