CA & headers ??
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Irvine California
CA & headers ??
I have an 81 w/all the emissions for Cali. Does anyone know if it is possible to upgrade to the exhaust manifolds w/headers and still be able to be smog legal? If so who makes it?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,690
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
Hedman used to make a CA legal set of headers. They came with smog tubes and 50 state and CARB stickers. When I tried to get a set a few years back, they seem to have been discontinued.
I'd start with their web site and go from there.
Realize, however, that if you still have the stock catalytic converter, you'll never notice any difference with headers. the 2:1:2 design and pancake cat means that threre is a severe restriction point, especially when it's old and clogged.
I'd start with their web site and go from there.
Realize, however, that if you still have the stock catalytic converter, you'll never notice any difference with headers. the 2:1:2 design and pancake cat means that threre is a severe restriction point, especially when it's old and clogged.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: San diego ca
Hedman 68281:
Yes they technicly are not CA approved, however I've had a set for 10 years, tested at least 4 times at state run stations and never had a single comment. The truth is if the Emissions are all connected and working 99.99% of testers will pass you on visual.
The comment on pancake cats is right on, those are by far the worst thing you can put in your exhaust, however if you replace that pellet based convertor with a high flow unit then headers start to make some sense.
Yes they technicly are not CA approved, however I've had a set for 10 years, tested at least 4 times at state run stations and never had a single comment. The truth is if the Emissions are all connected and working 99.99% of testers will pass you on visual.
The comment on pancake cats is right on, those are by far the worst thing you can put in your exhaust, however if you replace that pellet based convertor with a high flow unit then headers start to make some sense.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Irvine California
Hedman 68281:
Yes they technically are not CA approved, however I've had a set for 10 years, tested at least 4 times at state run stations and never had a single comment. The truth is if the Emissions are all connected and working 99.99% of testers will pass you on visual.
The comment on pancake cats is right on, those are by far the worst thing you can put in your exhaust, however if you replace that pellet based convertor with a high flow unit then headers start to make some sense.
Yes they technically are not CA approved, however I've had a set for 10 years, tested at least 4 times at state run stations and never had a single comment. The truth is if the Emissions are all connected and working 99.99% of testers will pass you on visual.
The comment on pancake cats is right on, those are by far the worst thing you can put in your exhaust, however if you replace that pellet based convertor with a high flow unit then headers start to make some sense.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
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From: San diego ca
Thanks gentleman, it currently has a fairly new muffler system with magnaflow mufflers. I am not sure what kind of cat it has though. I am looking to get a high flow cat. would you recommend keeping the x style tubing system or use two straight seperate exhaust with 2 high flow cats? My biggest concern is finding headers that I can use in CA, and mantain the look of most of the emissions connect to the exhaust.
this is essentially the same cross-sectional area as 2" duals (though not as efficient most likely)..but it will make a noticable improvement over the restrictive factory system. most important is smooth transition in the 'y' pipe as opposed to the virtual 't' junction used in the front factory pipe.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Irvine California
Dual exhaust dual cats wont be legal and will likely get caught by the inspection station. You can have a custom exhaust setup where the head pipes from the headers Y into a 3" pipe and then go through a 3" hi-flow cat - out of the cat you Y back into the 2 1/2" pipes.
this is essentially the same cross-sectional area as 2" duals (though not as efficient most likely)..but it will make a noticable improvement over the restrictive factory system. most important is smooth transition in the 'y' pipe as opposed to the virtual 't' junction used in the front factory pipe.
this is essentially the same cross-sectional area as 2" duals (though not as efficient most likely)..but it will make a noticable improvement over the restrictive factory system. most important is smooth transition in the 'y' pipe as opposed to the virtual 't' junction used in the front factory pipe.
