Side Pipes and Emissions Testing
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 2
From: Plainfield IL
Side Pipes and Emissions Testing
I'd love to add side pipes to my '81, but without a catalytic converter, I'd fail the state of Illinois' annual emissions testing. Have any of you Illinois residents found a way to incorporate a catalytic with side pipes? Is there an aftermarket side pipe available with a built-in catalytic? What other options do I have?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 932
Likes: 0
From: Lyons IL
Re: Side Pipes and Emissions Testing (Biker)
Try getting it past as is and then change to side pipes. You will have to years to enjoy them.
At that time you could apply for antique plates and then no need for emmision testing. :seeya :chevy :flag
At that time you could apply for antique plates and then no need for emmision testing. :seeya :chevy :flag
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 62,198
Likes: 1
From: All humans are vermin in the eyes of Guru VA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Side Pipes and Emissions Testing (63Banshee)
Maybe you could put on the old style covers and run the exhaust out closer to the rear.....
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 24,906
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From: Swords Check/Saws Check/Clubs Check/Claws Check/Hatred Check/Anger Check/Murmaid Check/Murder Check
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: Side Pipes and Emissions Testing (Guru_4_hire)
Maybe you could put on the old style covers and run the exhaust out closer to the rear.....
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 733
Likes: 15
From: Clarksburg NJ
Re: Side Pipes and Emissions Testing (Biker)
My 2cents- Being as I have another year left on my inspection, I'm going to try the following over the winter:(I'm currently running dual 2.5's with two Random Cats, which is legal in NJ)
- Swap in a BowTie Overdrives x-member so current exhaust passes under rather than through it.
- This makes dropping the exhaust a simple matter. So, I can switch to sidepipes fairly easily. I'm running the late 'Vette tubular manifolds, so I'll make a new turn down to weld up to the S-pipe kit from Dynomax (See current Summit catalog) and run those to the sides with heat shields. I have have these on the '75 I show and really like the sound.
- If it looks like I can fit the Random cats back on (after more insulating at the firewall) I may try to install then with the sides before 10/04. I think I'll have enough room. Because they'll be so close to the engine, they'll "light-off" faster as well, for greater efficiency.
That's the plan, anyway. :smash: :smash:
- Swap in a BowTie Overdrives x-member so current exhaust passes under rather than through it.
- This makes dropping the exhaust a simple matter. So, I can switch to sidepipes fairly easily. I'm running the late 'Vette tubular manifolds, so I'll make a new turn down to weld up to the S-pipe kit from Dynomax (See current Summit catalog) and run those to the sides with heat shields. I have have these on the '75 I show and really like the sound.
- If it looks like I can fit the Random cats back on (after more insulating at the firewall) I may try to install then with the sides before 10/04. I think I'll have enough room. Because they'll be so close to the engine, they'll "light-off" faster as well, for greater efficiency.
That's the plan, anyway. :smash: :smash:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Re: Side Pipes and Emissions Testing (Biker)
It would be very hard to do it. You could just have two exhaust systems. Have one you put on for testing and when that is done run the rest of the days with side pipes.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 2
From: Plainfield IL
Re: Side Pipes and Emissions Testing (Sigforty)
The replies have confirmed what I suspected; it cannot be done. Illinois emissions testing is required annually. I really don't want to change exhaust setups every 12 months, and I have no option to register the car outside of the emissions testing areas. Thanks to all for the replies.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 2
Re: Side Pipes and Emissions Testing (Biker)
I'm certain that it could be done, but there are tradeoffs.
If you want a working sidepipe exhaust system with cats you would have to sacrifice exhaust diameter and ground clearance to route the exhaust back to the cats and then back up front for the pipes. This is going to be inefficient and result in quite a bit of backpressure and power loss.
On the other hand I'm sure you could get the look of sidepipes and have a working undercar exhaust system.
Ryan
If you want a working sidepipe exhaust system with cats you would have to sacrifice exhaust diameter and ground clearance to route the exhaust back to the cats and then back up front for the pipes. This is going to be inefficient and result in quite a bit of backpressure and power loss.
On the other hand I'm sure you could get the look of sidepipes and have a working undercar exhaust system.
Ryan
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
Re: Side Pipes and Emissions Testing (Biker)
The way I look at it is this:
I will drive the car the way I want to, so If I had to switch out the exhaust and even the motor every year for an emissions test, that is fine by me.
Bob
I will drive the car the way I want to, so If I had to switch out the exhaust and even the motor every year for an emissions test, that is fine by me.
Bob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Side Pipes and Emissions Testing (Guru_4_hire)
Maybe you could put on the old style covers and run the exhaust out closer to the rear.....
but he could. He runs a dual exhaust to turbo mufflers under the seat area.
Then, two tail pipes are run angled out to the sides, and exit at the opening
of the fiberglass reproduction covers.
The tricky thing is how intense the inspection could be. If the station does not
check that the car is totally OEM (2-1-2 setup), then this could be done with
a couple aftermarket performance cats between the manifolds and
the crossmember. A couple turbo mufflers after the crossmember and route 'em out
to the end of the sidepipe covers.
When I first met him, I asked "How do you pass inspection with the sidepipes
on a '76 ?" I couldn't tell that they weren't real sidepipes at first glance.
You really have to take a closer look to see what's really going on.
ps - They don't do emissions testing here, but some shops enforce the OEM rule.
:seeya
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 2
From: Plainfield IL
Re: Side Pipes and Emissions Testing (NHvette)
NHVette, this is an interesting option, but I'd like to use chrome plated Hooker side pipes, not the type with fiberglass covers. Any ideas how I might integrate these with catalytics? The state of IL doesn't check for exhaust pipe configurations. When emissions testing was first started, they used to check to ensure a catalytic converter is installed. Today, however, they're only interested in emissions levels.
[Modified by Biker, 9:48 AM 10/31/2003]
[Modified by Biker, 9:48 AM 10/31/2003]
