California Emmisions ?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,602
Likes: 48
From: Napa California
California Emmisions ?
I took my '88 to a test only station the other day. It passed no problem. I asked the owner if he would be able to inspect the exhaust on my '91 ZR-1. I can't really see the stock manifolds myself. I asked if he would be able to tell if I had long tube headers on it. He said that long tube headers are allowed in CA as long as they accept the O2 sensor, and that he would have to inspect for the O2 sensor.
I had read before that no long tube headers could be legally used in CA.
FWIW this guy isn't just a young tech. He owns the test only station and was a mechanic for many years for a Ford dealership.
What's right? I would love to put long tubes on my LT5 and not worry about emmisions every two years.
I had read before that no long tube headers could be legally used in CA.
FWIW this guy isn't just a young tech. He owns the test only station and was a mechanic for many years for a Ford dealership.
What's right? I would love to put long tubes on my LT5 and not worry about emmisions every two years.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 3
From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
Originally Posted by bogus
65Z01 is correct. No LTs have made it past CARB. The main reason is that most LTs relocate the cat... that is bad.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,858
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Relocating the cats, means the exhaust gas is cooler by the time it reaches them, that's what messing things up.
I wonder if they could get LT to pass if they specified heat wrapping them.
I wonder if they could get LT to pass if they specified heat wrapping them.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 36,040
Likes: 4
From: All great change begins at the dinner table Ronald Reagan
Some smog stations won't approve if there's any mods at all, even if you have a missing heat shield. Headers of any kind are out. But, there are places where they don't want to look under the hood, they turn their heads when they clip onto #1 spark plug wire. They usually don't last long...
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by BrianCunningham
Relocating the cats, means the exhaust gas is cooler by the time it reaches them, that's what messing things up.
I wonder if they could get LT to pass if they specified heat wrapping them.
I wonder if they could get LT to pass if they specified heat wrapping them.
It's time to allow hotrodders to responsibly modify their cars. If we can prove a product works, then we can use it. If that requires annual smog checks, so be it. If it ever fails, the parts come off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
Originally Posted by 65Z01
If the header doesn't have an EO number it has not passed the CARB testing and is not legal in CA.
To my knowledge there still are no LT headers which have qualified.
To my knowledge there still are no LT headers which have qualified.
I think it is a simple matter of the maker not wanting to shell out the $50K or whatever it cost now for testing, and try to make money on the few in CA who want LT headers. I dont think they would come out even.
there was a guy on here a few years ago who had a 408 with a cam, and super ram, and trick flow heads if I remember correctly in CA. he passed emissions with LT and cats. He went back to smog again and they would not because of the LT's.
It will be a toss up. It sounds to me like he will pass your LT5 with headers this time around. I guess you need to ask yourself if he will always be around, because odds are, the next guy wont let it go.
I have a few goodies on my car, and I always take it to the same guy for smog. He looks around and asks me if this car has been here before, as he looks like he is trying to find the EGR under the super ram plenum. I think these guys are a bit nervous with the fines and stuff when it does not appear to be stock.
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Behind The Redwood Curtain, The State of Jefferson
seems to me smog testing is more of a county by county thing. As of now, I'll never have to smog ANY of my cars... but things change. So is it the governator or the county supervisors?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by PsychoNumber1
seems to me smog testing is more of a county by county thing. As of now, I'll never have to smog ANY of my cars... but things change. So is it the governator or the county supervisors?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Originally Posted by bogus
I am going to start a small campaign.... starting with a letter to the Govenrator.
It's time to allow hotrodders to responsibly modify their cars. If we can prove a product works, then we can use it. If that requires annual smog checks, so be it. If it ever fails, the parts come off.
It's time to allow hotrodders to responsibly modify their cars. If we can prove a product works, then we can use it. If that requires annual smog checks, so be it. If it ever fails, the parts come off.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: CA
It appears there are two issues: #1) Is it legal in CA? #2)Will he allow it to pass the visual inspection? #1, No it's not legal in CA. #2 He said he'll pass it visually as long as is has the O2 sensor. Now, the most import question is: Will he be there every two years for you to pass the smog check?? Good Luck on whatever you decide.
