Header Selection L98
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: Forney Texas
Header Selection L98
I am looking to purchase a set of long tube headers for my 90 L98 Vert. I have only considered two products, one from Hooker and the other from TPIS. I must keep the car emissions legal so I am limited on choices. My problem is that I can not get TPIS to answer my questions by email and Hooker told me that they do not make a long tube header that would be emissions legal for my car.
I am looking for some guidance on this subject. Any suggestions on other products or ideas on the products I have mentioned would be appreciated. Take care.
90Indy
I am looking for some guidance on this subject. Any suggestions on other products or ideas on the products I have mentioned would be appreciated. Take care.
90Indy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 15
From: Brick- Next to the land of Mojo NJ
i would like to know too
want my mine to be 100% legal
and i also want to know if ground clearanace will be adequate with LT's and stock ride hight
i know my camaro bottomed out all over the place and was quite embarrassing
want my mine to be 100% legal
and i also want to know if ground clearanace will be adequate with LT's and stock ride hight
i know my camaro bottomed out all over the place and was quite embarrassing
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,145
Likes: 1,730
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Longtube headers arent guaranteed to pass emissions from any manufacturer. In states where a visual check is done, I doubt theyll pass that part of the test.
They can pass a sniffer alone, in 'most' states, provided you have a good main cat and the car is in good condition.
They can pass a sniffer alone, in 'most' states, provided you have a good main cat and the car is in good condition.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 15
From: Brick- Next to the land of Mojo NJ
hmmmm they didnt open my hood, but i saw them check with a mirror under the car
i'm new to the inpsection thing, cuz i never took my camaro, just relied on luck, so i am a bonehead when it comes to this stuff
in NJ, can i delete my precats and rely on just the main cat? (for visual)
what about a high flow main cat?
no engine work is done, but i might like to put a free flowing exhaust on it
would like to know what my options are as far as whats legal in the realm of headers and the pre cat pipe
what combos will work and what wont
thanx
i'm new to the inpsection thing, cuz i never took my camaro, just relied on luck, so i am a bonehead when it comes to this stuff
in NJ, can i delete my precats and rely on just the main cat? (for visual)
what about a high flow main cat?
no engine work is done, but i might like to put a free flowing exhaust on it
would like to know what my options are as far as whats legal in the realm of headers and the pre cat pipe
what combos will work and what wont
thanx
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Your car should pass the sniffer test with LTs and a main cat just fine.
It'll never pass a visual unless the smog tech is real nice, or has a long line of cars waiting on him and happens to be having a good day at the same time (rare
).
It'll never pass a visual unless the smog tech is real nice, or has a long line of cars waiting on him and happens to be having a good day at the same time (rare
).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
I bought a replacement front Y-Pipe and main cat from Eckler that elliminated the pre-cats and said it was 49 state legal (CA=not legal). I live in CA but brought the car from out of state when I moved here, and I've passed smog here twice with it. My car only has to pass to Federal emissions not CA, because it was not originally a CA car equiped with CA-emissions. 
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by Rick86
My car only has to pass to Federal emissions not CA, because it was not originally a CA car equiped with CA-emissions.
Are you sure? That's news to me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
LTs = failing visual as far as I know
Thats why Hooker said that.
They both do however make them with emission connections so you can still run an EGR and such.
Just depends on your area and the testing required, do some research.
Thats why Hooker said that.
They both do however make them with emission connections so you can still run an EGR and such.
Just depends on your area and the testing required, do some research.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Yes it is true that there are no LT headers with an EO number so none are emissions legal.
However, a 3-stage main cat (like those from Random Tech) is a 49-state legal replacement for the stock L98 main cat and pre-cats. My '88 Vette easily passes the sniffer with only the RT main cat and the guys in OH do a visual under the car with a mirror.
However, a 3-stage main cat (like those from Random Tech) is a 49-state legal replacement for the stock L98 main cat and pre-cats. My '88 Vette easily passes the sniffer with only the RT main cat and the guys in OH do a visual under the car with a mirror.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
It's also important to know that the '85 L98 came with only one cat from the factory. I replaced mine with a high-flow carsound and it passed EASILY.
That's why I think I should be able to put LTs on my car... because it doesn't involve relocating/removing any factory converters.
That's why I think I should be able to put LTs on my car... because it doesn't involve relocating/removing any factory converters.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 4,623
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Originally Posted by 90Indy
I am looking to purchase a set of long tube headers for my 90 L98 Vert. I have only considered two products, one from Hooker and the other from TPIS. I must keep the car emissions legal so I am limited on choices. My problem is that I can not get TPIS to answer my questions by email and Hooker told me that they do not make a long tube header that would be emissions legal for my car.
I am looking for some guidance on this subject. Any suggestions on other products or ideas on the products I have mentioned would be appreciated. Take care.
90Indy
I am looking for some guidance on this subject. Any suggestions on other products or ideas on the products I have mentioned would be appreciated. Take care.
90Indy
