Header question for California Modders
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 182
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From: TARZANA CA
Header question for California Modders
I talked to Andy at A&A last weekend. My plan was for stage II heads; 224 .581 114 cam ; and LG long tubes with Random cats. Andy says he can tune this combo to pass the CA smog sniffer but it won't pass the OBDII test because it doesn't use all 4 O2 sensors. The car is a 99 FRC daily driver.
For those of you not living in the Peoples Republic of California, the smog ***** here aren't content with checking tailpipe emissions, they also plug into the OBD port and take readings, and do a visual inspection to check for mods that aren't CARB certified. Technically a Donaldson Blackwing isn't legal but I passed with no questions asked.
Here's the question for CA modders that ARE passing inspections - What headers are you using? Are they CARB certified?
Any info would be greatly appreciated. :D :D
For those of you not living in the Peoples Republic of California, the smog ***** here aren't content with checking tailpipe emissions, they also plug into the OBD port and take readings, and do a visual inspection to check for mods that aren't CARB certified. Technically a Donaldson Blackwing isn't legal but I passed with no questions asked.
Here's the question for CA modders that ARE passing inspections - What headers are you using? Are they CARB certified?
Any info would be greatly appreciated. :D :D
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco CA
Re: Header question for California Modders (JAY KOCH)
I am using B&B Shorties. Before my H/C, I had them installed along with a 3.42. Before dyno with stock exhaust manifolds and a 2.73 was 325rwhp and 320rwtq. After the 3.42 and the B&B the dyno was 322rwhp and 325rwtq. Considering that the 3.42 makes the car dyno lower, I did pick up a few horsepower and some torque.
It bugs me no end that you can get CARB longtubes for a Cadillac but not for a Corvette :rolleyes:
It bugs me no end that you can get CARB longtubes for a Cadillac but not for a Corvette :rolleyes:
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,748
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From: CA
Re: Header question for California Modders (SFVetteman)
Yeah Ca sucks. Another problem is that by law you cannot change the position of the stock cats, since longtubes obviously will have the cats mounted further towards the rear of the car, it is the main reason most don't carrry a CARB approval. To be honest, your only option is going to be finding a shop that is mod friendly and willing to overlook the visual and only do the sniffer. Best of luck with that though :banghead:
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 85
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From: Thousand Oaks Ca
Re: Header question for California Modders (JAY KOCH)
Jay, I'm in the same spot...I've been talking with Andy for the past 2 weeks. Looks like I will be going with a vortech or a neat nitrous setup. I've got the Borla's on, but wanted the LG long tubes as well...but it might be hard to pass here in Ca.
I had to sell my recently acquired Hummer H1 (from PA) as the Smog Referee :mad wanted me to spend $10,900!!! on a new exhaust system!
Let me know what your conclusion is. As far as my intentions, I want a 11 sec car again...so the $7-9K for a supercharger/vortech setup is well worth it as it will still pass CA smog. Best of luck to ya! :flag
I had to sell my recently acquired Hummer H1 (from PA) as the Smog Referee :mad wanted me to spend $10,900!!! on a new exhaust system!
Let me know what your conclusion is. As far as my intentions, I want a 11 sec car again...so the $7-9K for a supercharger/vortech setup is well worth it as it will still pass CA smog. Best of luck to ya! :flag
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,928
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Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Header question for California Modders (SFVetteman)
Are B&B Shorties CARB certified???
If they are Carb legal - I'd say go with those.
OR ......you could move back home and say "screw 'em". We could go to Mid- Ohio and chase each other. :D
Your Little Brother :thumbs:
If they are Carb legal - I'd say go with those.
OR ......you could move back home and say "screw 'em". We could go to Mid- Ohio and chase each other. :D
Your Little Brother :thumbs:
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 583
Likes: 40
From: Sacramento
Re: Header question for California Modders (Bink)
Is there a reason that someone couldn't put the LG Lt's on and keep all the stock parts and convert back to smog every 2 years? It was my understanding that the LGM's don't require any permanent modifications. Anybody have any thought on this and if so how many labor hours to take the Lt's off reinstall stock then reinstall the Lt's later? :confused:
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 3
From: Ventura, CA Fight On Forever
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05
Re: Header question for California Modders (JAY KOCH)
LGs here. No smog for another 4 years. But I understand the situation. Counting on finding a mod friendly smog shop in my neighborhood when the time comes. Best,
mtv :thumbs:
mtv :thumbs:
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 6
From: LOS ANGELES CA.
Re: Header question for California Modders (Bigben)
Some vette owners are doing just that,but its a pain in the ----.I am in the same situation as I spoke to the fellow at the smog sta. to sound him out and he says there is NO way he would pass my car with the Blackwing and the headers.Its going to be costly as i didn't save the parts when I had my car modded.From what I heard,many dealers won't take a modded car in as a trade in as it won't pass the Calif. smog laws.I guess they have us over the barrel with a jar of vaseline. :chevy :chevy :flag :chevy :chevy
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: GARDENA Ca, State Of Konfusion
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Header question for California Modders (ROD BROWN)
Believe me, there are ways! Cali Luv, but I won't tell. I have L/T and thinking about going with a larger cam. Look at the number of people going with the Super Chargers, how do they pass. :yesnod: :yesnod: :crazy:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,466
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From: GARDENA Ca, State Of Konfusion
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Header question for California Modders (JAY KOCH)
I am using all four sensors with L/T Headers and stocks cats with a Vortex, should not be a problem.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco CA
Re: Header question for California Modders (wallstAL)
I got sick and tired playing all the games to get my 79 smogged and swore I would keep my 99 so that I can easily get it smogged. The B&B have CARB# D-506. I kept my stock airbox and even the air duct which I put back on when I had it smogged.
Changing out LT headers and then puting them back on is more hassle than I want to deal with. Since there are longtubes that would pass if only they had a CARB#, I would think that at least one of the manufacturers would make an effort to get them certified. I would think they would sell more than enough in this state to pay for the cost even if they were not the best header around :banghead:
[Modified by SFVetteman, 1:26 AM 4/4/2004]
Changing out LT headers and then puting them back on is more hassle than I want to deal with. Since there are longtubes that would pass if only they had a CARB#, I would think that at least one of the manufacturers would make an effort to get them certified. I would think they would sell more than enough in this state to pay for the cost even if they were not the best header around :banghead:
[Modified by SFVetteman, 1:26 AM 4/4/2004]
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 583
Likes: 40
From: Sacramento
Re: Header question for California Modders (SFVetteman)
I would think that at least one of the manufacturers would make an effort to get them certified. I would think they would sell more than enough in this state to pay for the cost even if they were not the best header around :banghead:
[Modified by SFVetteman, 1:26 AM 4/4/2004]
[Modified by SFVetteman, 1:26 AM 4/4/2004]
Apparently, bassani is taking a run at getting a carb right now, but they will not give any kind of time frame. The problem is that their Lt's require some modifications so if the carb doesn't come through it is harder to reverse.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
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From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Re: Header question for California Modders (JAY KOCH)
The B&B's are smog legal but you can get just about as much HP from a set of Z06 exhaust manifolds. Ask Andy if he has a spare set laying around that he can slap on for you. :smash:
VR :cheers:
[Modified by vetterdstr, 8:56 AM 4/4/2004]
VR :cheers:
[Modified by vetterdstr, 8:56 AM 4/4/2004]
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
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Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Header question for California Modders (vetterdstr)
The B&B's are smog legal but you can get just about as much HP from a set of Z06 exhaust manifolds. Ask Andy if he has a spare set laying around that he can slap on for you. :smash:
VR :cheers:
VR :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Ca
Re: Header question for California Modders (wallstAL)
Look at the number of people going with the Super Chargers, how do they pass. :yesnod: :yesnod: :crazy:
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Ca
Re: Header question for California Modders (JAY KOCH)
I am in the same position, LGM LTs, Corsa Indy Pro and Vortex shouldn't pass a visual. If you want to smog your car, pick a hot day, a real hot, a run down smog shop with no lift and a big dude that won't want to get under your car. Make sure you will pass the sniffer and hope for the best. The problem I am worried about is the car sounds very loud. I might have to install stock Z06 TI mufflers to get past the noise.
