Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA????
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 767
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From: Fullerton CA
Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA????
Is this true? I was looking to get these put on but I was informed that these will not pass visual inspection at time of smog. Is this right? if so does anyone know how often you need to get a smog check out here. I know on 2k's and up it's every four years I think. I have a '99 and just purchased it last November. I know I run the risk of this f'n smog thing but I also don't want to dump a couple grand into it and then not be able to drive it. Any help???? :confused: :confused:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 767
Likes: 0
From: Fullerton CA
Re: Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA???? (blackjack)
Yeha but the Bellangers give more HP right? Where do you see this gain, low end? high end? accelleration? all around?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 885
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From: Bay Area, CA
Re: Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA???? (Rhynos99)
The Bellangers will give you more torque. The B&Bs kick in around 3000 RPM. I sacrificed the extra power just to pass smog. They sure sound mean with the Corsa Indys though :D
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 64
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From: San Ramon CA
Re: Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA???? (blackjack)
Blackjack, how loud are the B&Bs and Indys at cruising? Can you hold a conversation w/ a passenger without yelling? I have the Indys and was thinking of getting those headers or the JBA shorties. Thanks... :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 7,393
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles CA
Re: Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA???? (Rhynos99)
I know on 2k's and up it's every four years I think. I have a '99 and just purchased it last November. I know I run the risk of this f'n smog thing but I also don't want to dump a couple grand into it and then not be able to drive it. Any help???? :confused: :confused:
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 320
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From: Harrisburg PA
Re: Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA???? (Rhynos99)
While I have no idea what things are like on the left coast, in Virginia there are plenty of "incompetent" mechanics that will pass just about anything. :-)
Perhaps you just need to find the right shop.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,179
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From: Honolulu Hawaii
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA???? (LTD)
I had the same questions and Craig @ West Coast Corvetttes was the Answer Man for me. There are a lot of folks selling mod's that just won't pass our tough smog standards here on the Left Coast.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 588
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From: San Francisco Ca
Re: Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA???? (Rhynos99)
I smogged my 99 coupe before I sold it. It had TPIS headers. Pass the sniffer with flying colors. The tech who passed it didn't even question the headers. :D
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 14,537
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From: I don't have to show you any stinkin' badges
Re: Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA???? (Speeder)
The tech who passed it didn't even question the headers. :D
Herb
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: GARDENA Ca, State Of Konfusion
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA???? (Rhynos99)
No Long Tube Headers will pass visual in Cali! Andy Green has TTS Long Tube Headers in his 97 and he passed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Sandy Eggo Calif.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12, '16
Re: Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA???? (Rhynos99)
The only thing that did not pass inspection on my old LT1 Camaro was the LG crank case breather. I had very visible headers and he did not even mention it. Arco smog station.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 767
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From: Fullerton CA
Re: Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA???? (OCMike)
I had the same questions and Craig @ West Coast Corvetttes was the Answer Man for me. There are a lot of folks selling mod's that just won't pass our tough smog standards here on the Left Coast.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,179
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From: Honolulu Hawaii
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA???? (Rhynos99)
Good point Herb...I bought my '02 Roadster out of state last January so I had to have it smogged before I could register here in California. I took it to a local Arco Smog Pro's and I could tell they do not see many Corvette's. They had to make a phone call to find out where the inside computer plug is located. They asked if my car was "stock" and I said, "Yes, for the most part." (I had the Corsa's, X-Pipe, Ram AIr Induction on it).
I guess the dice roll is if it passes the sniff test and the tech isn't a "by the book" dude, you may be OK.
QUESTION: If you fail due to the visual, can you simply try another shop or is there some sort of state-wide computer record generated?
I guess the dice roll is if it passes the sniff test and the tech isn't a "by the book" dude, you may be OK.
QUESTION: If you fail due to the visual, can you simply try another shop or is there some sort of state-wide computer record generated?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
Re: Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA???? (yllwfvr)
Yllwfvr,
It's still quiet inside until I open the throttle.
Then it really screams. :eek:
No added resonance while cruising.
-BlackJack :flag
It's still quiet inside until I open the throttle.
Then it really screams. :eek:
No added resonance while cruising.
-BlackJack :flag
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,739
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Re: Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA???? (OCMike)
OCMike,
You can just go to another shop. The state record only shows FAILED unless you were a gross polluter.
Its a gamble that I have taken many times before. It got old worrying about passing and dealing with different shops.
You still pay each time you take the test.
I bought a Saleen S351R out of state and it wouldn't pass at all. The Mustang Performance shop knew people who could get it passed but it would cost several hundred $$$ every other year.
Get the headers with the CARB number and don't worry about it.
You can just go to another shop. The state record only shows FAILED unless you were a gross polluter.
Its a gamble that I have taken many times before. It got old worrying about passing and dealing with different shops.
You still pay each time you take the test.
I bought a Saleen S351R out of state and it wouldn't pass at all. The Mustang Performance shop knew people who could get it passed but it would cost several hundred $$$ every other year.
Get the headers with the CARB number and don't worry about it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Ca
Re: Bellanger headers won't pass smog in CA???? (Rhynos99)
The California visual inspection is just a way of collecting a huge tax from parts manufacturers. It's only to check for the CARB number. It costs big bucks to go through the Beauracrazy and obtain a certification. The significant (to the smog issue) part of the cert process is to test the part on a car to see if it pollutes. A pollution test takes less than an hour and costs about $50, way less than the thousands they charge manufacturers for a cert number. This is why many manufactuers don't bother to get certified.
The real issue is pollution and just adding headers has no affect on a car's polluting. If it did it would get caught in the smog test and dealt with at that level, as it should be.
And that's my $.04!
The real issue is pollution and just adding headers has no affect on a car's polluting. If it did it would get caught in the smog test and dealt with at that level, as it should be.
And that's my $.04!