torchredmadness

If I install a 160 degree thermostat and an X pipe will I still be smog legal in California. How does the 160 degree thermostat change the performance?

Bakerking31

the thermostat your fine with, but the stock H pipe has cats and removing those will fail you.

tlove32

You'll be fine. The X-pipe only replaces the "H" portion of the h-pipe, and leaves the cats intact.

chaase

jcgunn

In California, everything which is not mandatory is prohibited.

baxsom

I thought that any changing of the factory exhaust system was considered illegal.

dougbfresh

Stat isn't going to help performance either.

phil hunter

No problem with the X pipe, since it does not remove or relocate the cats. Same with replacing the mufflers. Short tube headers are OK, but long tubes are not because they relocate/remove the cats. Been through smog several times with Corsa exhaust and X pipe.


Phil

Bounty Hunter 6

I'm getting ready to move out to Cali and the best advice I have gotten from my gearhead friends is to have any exhaust work done by a shop in California. Amazingly, you will remain in legal limits that way....

torchredmadness

What is the advantage of installing a 160 degree thermostat?

dougbfresh

In my opinion NONE, but do a search lots of "opinions" on the subject.

baxsom

all it does it get the water moving through the engine faster. once it opens up there it no difference between a 160 and a 180 opened up. in warmer climates a lot of people switch to them. unless you program the fans to turn on at a lower temp though your actual temp isnt going to change much.

DarkSpeed

Why is everyone so worried about the legality issues in California?

Well, I may be a rebel (I NEVER follow bureaucratic laws in our stupidly bureaucratic state) and I advocate going to car meets and talking to fellow Vette owners, at least one of them operates or knows someone who has a smog station (if you know what I mean)

I have full longtubes, HF cats (which don't do sh**) and B&B bullets....AIR tubes cut off and blocked...and always know ways around the feds

Your 160 degree thermostat would be the least of my worries

BitViper

Technically speaking you cannot change anything starting at the air filter out to the muffler that includes the H-Pipe.. any replacement part must either function EXACTLY as the OEM part.. all connections etc (and even then things like a Vararam and other CAI kits will fail you on the visual) any replacement part must be OEM or approved by the state ie have a CARB#

that being said... I've never known anyone who failed because of an X pipe or thermostat.. the tech's seldom if ever look under the car

DarkSpeed

Exactly...ANY kind of modification with the engine or its emmisions system is technically illeagal and can fail you at a smog station (if going EXACTLY by the book) but an X pipe technically makes no changes to emmisions functions

However, its like driving 46mph in a 45mph zone...you're still breaking the law by the book you know what I mean.

Either go all out and don't worry.... or don't modify

dougbfresh

If the mods have CARB #'s he should not have issues!

Michael A

Thermostat = not legal

X-pipe = legal as long as it does not modify anything forward of the cat outlet.

Michael