Talking to the service guy at the local garage about headers for my vette. He said if I'm going for headers get the ceramic shorties so you don't bottom out on the pipes and crack'em and then get rid of the cat and run duel pipes to the mufflers. I asked about the emissions concerns. He tells me that I will fail but they give you a form that you take to your local garage and if the repairs are over $400 you are given a waver and don't have to do emissions? I live in Connecticut.. Anyone ever hear of this before?

 

yes most states allow the waiver process.

However he failed to explain it to you properly.

If your car does not pass the visual inspection for items required = no waiver, auto must have all components and fail to be considered for a waiver.

If the part is unavailable:
Getting a waiver requires you stating that you have tried in good faith to replace a missing component or part on your vehicle. You must first obtain letters from a dealership, parts store and salvage yard stating the part is no longer manufactured or obtainable. If DMV Enforcement is also unable to locate the part, a waiver allowing your vehicle to pass the emissions test will be issued.

On the other hand, if DMV locates the part, the vehicle-owner must comply, and the parts waiver will be denied.

*converters are ez to find so no dice on that excuse*

You made all the required changes and still fail testing:
In this case, a waiver may also be issued. However, the owner/operator must spend the required waiver amount in parts and/or labor in order to bring the vehicle within compliance standards. If the owner/operator can provide appropriate documentation of expenditures, the vehicle may be issued a waiver. Waiver expenditure amounts will not apply to the reconnection of tampered or removed exhaust emission control devices.

I am not with the dmv but I guaranty your local laws read pretty much verbatim to these. This guy at the shop is not legally allowed to mak such modifications if your car has emissions equip. So just consider the fact that he will break the law to do this install, does that reaffirm your belief he is going to be honest with you? No, he just wants your $$$

 

:sad: very very true. you must stick with the factory exhaust and emmissions controls to be legal. If you want true dual exhaust, buy a pre-1975 corvette :yesnod:

 

However....

There is a way to work around it somewhat.

Have duals ran to the otherside of the trans crossmember then y pipe into a gutted out converter and then y pipe back out to mufflers dual exhaust.

This gutted out converter will hinder you some but is visual inspection legal, or just put a good hi flow converter in and be 100% legal. The headers are no problem, unless your exhaust manifolds have emissions plumbing into them. Then the headers will be a problem.


just a lil 2 cent worth

For the time being I am lucky, my county dos not go emissions testing till 2003. So my stragiht duals w/no cats are ok. However I am working with a fabricating guy at a local muff shop to figure out a way to hang headers, a cat system and split to dual for sidepipes, all before the crossmember. The problem is it takes some sharp turns and I do not want to do a u-turn in the exhaust then out the side.


[Modified by 1976C3, 11:59 AM 9/21/2001]


[Modified by 1976C3, 12:15 PM 9/21/2001]

 

Headers with A.I.R. fitting is not a problem.. Just expensive! Jeg's has a set of Hedman's for around $500. Actually in the morning they were $500. I tried to find them on their site and couldn't so I call again.. $283.99 was the afternoon price. :crazy: My guess is the afternoon guy didn't check for the A.I.R. fittings. Also didn't seem like he was interested in helping so I didn't push it. I'm guessing that even if I go with headers, keep the A.I.R. and hollow out the cat, if I fail emissions they will still make me replace the cat. Will just adding shortie type headers and plumbing back into the existing 2" exhaust give me $500+ worth of extra ponies!

 

Koz -- emissions laws and what you can and cannot do about them vary from state to state. You should check the laws in your state and comply with those.

 

Find out if your state requires exhaust to be similiar in design to original. ie can you run dual cat's 1 per pipe or do you have to y-pipe in and out of 1 cat. Some states do not care as long as a cat is there for any exhaust outlet.

The headers are costly over non a.i.r indeed, I read some place b4 that camel hump exhaust manifolds can be found with a.i.r plumbing and are as good as shorty headers if not better,and are short also. They are costly but I dont know how much.

Ok:
$500.00 for headers
$100ish for a good flowing cat converter
$300? dual exhaust plumbing from headers to back mufflers (varies depending on shop/area)

So you are looking at around $800-$900 for maybe 20-30hp?

If spending that much I would save a little more and get better heads and get around 50-60hp return.

*shrug* just me, but if spending per hp gains determine what to buy,.. I would go with the bigger gain.

 

Connecticut's emission laws for you to peruse:

Vehicles Exempt from Emissions

1. Vehicle's gross weight rating (as determined by the manufacturer's weight rating label inside the door jam) of 10,001 pounds or more.
2. Electric powered vehicles.
3. Motorcycles.
4. Vehicles 25 years-old or older.
5. New Vehicles (certificate of origin) at the time of initial registration.
6. Vehicles registered but not designed primarily for highway use.
7. Farm Vehicles (vehicles designed and adapted exclusively for agricultural, horticultural or live stock-raising operation and which is not operated on a highway for transporting a payload or for any other commercial purpose).
8. Bicycles with motors attached.
9. Vehicles operating with a temporary registration.
NOTE: Diesel vehicles are no longer exempt.

What to Do If Your Vehicle Fails the Emissions Test

You have thirty days to have the vehicle repaired and be eligible for a free retest.

You may utilize any Connecticut licensed repairer, or you can repair the vehicle yourself to qualify for the free retest.

However, to be eligible for a waiver, repairs must be done by a Registered Repairer employing a Certified Technician. A list of these repairers will be provided to you at the Emissions Station when you go through the emissions test process, or on request.

The vehicle must be re-tested before the 31st day, and you are also required to bring the original test document (Vehicle Emissions Report) with you, to be eligible for the free retest.

If you exceed the thirty day period, you will be required to pay an additional $10 test fee (cash only) for a 1980 and older vehicle, or $20 test fee (cash only) for a 1981 and newer vehicle.

Vehicles Failing the Emissions Test a Second Time

Waiver Requirements for Gasoline-Powered Vehicles

Two Failed Inspections
Your vehicle must have failed both the initial inspection and re-inspection test cycle (both Vehicle Inspection Reports are needed).

Expenditure on Repairs
Beginning January 2, 2000, a minimum of $125 must be spent on emissions-related repairs for vehicles receiving an annual inspection (1980 and older) and a minimum of $450 must be spent on emissions-related repairs for vehicles receiving a biennial inspection (1981 and newer). You need to document that you have spent the minimum required amount on emissions-related repairs since your initial inspection in this test cycle. Itemized original receipts are required. Expenditures for replacement of, and repairs to, pollution control devices that have been tampered with can not be counted toward the repair limit. Also, repairs must be directed toward your vehicle’s emissions problem.

Registered Repair Facilities
If you are applying for a waiver, vehicles 1981 and newer must be repaired at a registered repair facility employing a certified technician who has successfully completed a Department of Motor Vehicles’ emissions repair course. The list of registered repair facilities is available at all emissions stations or by calling 1-800-842-2000. For vehicles 1980 and older, it is not required that the vehicle be repaired by a certified technician. However, regardless of vehicle model year, the minimum expenditure must be applied toward appropriate emissions repairs. The certified technician must complete the repairer section on the reverse of the Vehicle Inspection Report, including license number, facility name and signature. You must provide original receipts for all work done.

Pollution Devices and Inspection
*NOTE Your vehicle must have all of its factory-equipped emissions control components. The Waiver Agent at the emissions station will inspect your vehicle to verify that repairs were made and that require pollution control devices are present, properly connected and intact.

Warranty Information
Every vehicle is protected by a federally-required manufacturer’s warranty dealing with emissions equipment. For details, see you dealer or owner’s manual. Vehicles that qualify for the Federal two year/24,000 mile Emissions Control Performance Warranty are not eligible for a waiver unless the warranty claim is denied in writing by the dealer. For more information on warranties or home repairs, engine swaps, pollution control devices, imported cars, and dealer/repairer complaints, call the Department of Motor Vehicles at 1-800-842-8222 or (203) 805-6244 or write to the Emissions Division, Rowland State Government Center, 55 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702-2004.

Note the laws do not say 1 converter per pipe or must be similar to production style (2 into 1 cat then out.) etc... this is why its best to contact them b4 undergoing exhaust mod's.

 

My Hedman (#68301 I believe) smog headers were about $250 thru carparts.com (with coupon). I think someone else mentioned they were like the same price at Summit. I am going duals with dual cats.
-terry