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Headers on Cailfornia car

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Old Feb 8, 2013 | 03:31 PM
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Default Headers on Cailfornia car

One of the most popular topics on this forum is header installation and tuning for them.
Don't any of you live in CA? We are stuck with C.A.R.B. regulations and have to do smog checks every other year. Who makes a CA legal header? Its way too much work to install them and then just prior to smog check to put the stock stuff back on.
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Old Feb 8, 2013 | 04:01 PM
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CA legal header? No such thing. Well, at least no such thing when it comes to long tube headers.

I had long tubes on my 2005 without any issues with smog. In fact, I had intake, headers, high flow cats, x-pipe and a mild cam. Passed smog (sniff test) no problem. Visual is where it gets tricky. The first time I needed to smog (2011) the smog tech never bothered looking. Last month for my 2nd smog, he actually spent time looking but still passed it. It is pretty hard to tell on the C6 if you are running stock exhaust manifolds or headers.

I live in California too BTW.
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Old Feb 8, 2013 | 04:15 PM
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I think it's the exact stock location of the front O2 sensors. They have to be in the exact stock location on the exhaust header, which on some long tube headers it's not possible. It can pass the sniffer test easily, but the visual is where you will have the problem.
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Old Feb 8, 2013 | 05:42 PM
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Twin turbos, non oem/non CARB certified exaust manifolds, intake, exaust, high flow cats, heads, cam etc etc...I passed the sniffer with flying colors..
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Old Feb 8, 2013 | 06:09 PM
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What's your point?
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Old Feb 8, 2013 | 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Racer86
I think it's the exact stock location of the front O2 sensors. They have to be in the exact stock location on the exhaust header, which on some long tube headers it's not possible. It can pass the sniffer test easily, but the visual is where you will have the problem.
The CATS have to remian in the stock location, which again, won't happen with long tubes.

Any shorties availible?
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Old Feb 8, 2013 | 06:20 PM
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Thanks Guys, and if you don't know somebody that will pass the car on the visual inspection you are SOL. I'm to conservative to take the chance.
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Old Feb 8, 2013 | 06:25 PM
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you have to find a good shop who will do it. Usually cost about $200.
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Old Feb 8, 2013 | 07:12 PM
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You could always just go supercharger. Will get you way more power than any header will and most are 50 state legal.
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Old Feb 8, 2013 | 07:40 PM
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no header for the c6 is ummmmm technically EPA legal
meaning it moves the cats from the factory location
then add the fact that when you tune, the ecm is also an emissions device too, so that may be in issue in certain areas???? (none to my knowledge yet)

if you want to stay 100% legal
the Eforce kit i believe is CARB certified
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Old Feb 9, 2013 | 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Dado5
you have to find a good shop who will do it. Usually cost about $200.
This
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Old Feb 9, 2013 | 04:58 PM
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You can always go LS7 full 3", of course its technically legal either though you would likely pass the visual every time. People claim up to 20hp gains, maybe more.
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Old Feb 9, 2013 | 05:32 PM
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I believe JBA has some smog legal shorties...
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