Not So Fast

I had an inquiry about how cars with headers and Cats pass Cally emissions tests so I thought what better place to ask. We don't have the tests here in rural Az so I couldn't answer his question
NSF

wayback

Short answer, they don't. Can use shorty headers or Z06 manifolds.

Mike's LS3

Headers in CA will fail, unless the smog tech is really clueless. I just passed CA emissions with CARB certified A&A S/C and full Z06 exhaust with no issues.

Also, any emissions recall must be completed, i.e. 2008 and 2009 had a mandatory emissions recall in CA that replaced the original catalytic converters, along with the addition of two small cats at the mid pipe. This must show complete to register the car and pass bi-annual inspections. Once the recall is completed, DMV receives notice and the car can be registered.

In addition, all readiness codes must be complete, EXCEPT the Evap code is the only code that can show incomplete. No catch cans either, I pulled mine off for the inspection.

Hope that helps!

Shaolin Crane

There's a lot of techs that don't notice the long tubes when the coil covers are still installed. The other option to removing them is registering the car in a County where the total population is less than 10,000. Don't quote me on the exact number but rural areas of CA fall into the same category.

I went with the Z06 manifolds and still made 410/400

Dano523

As stated, anything not OEM on the car, has to have a California Air resources board approval number (carb #).

Since no after market headers have a Carb# for CA use, you can grey area the car by installing the Z06 exhaust system on the car, since they are a OEM part.

The Z06 OEM exhaust manifolds are shorty header design with collector, and since they look OEM, most techs will not pick up that a None z06 car did not come with the z06 system stock to begin with.



The down side, you can pick up about 25hp with long tube headers, while you only pick up about 14hp with the Z06 exhaust system isntead.

Also, before you install the Z06 exhaust system, have the recall done on the stock system to add the cats to get the needed letter to get you through smog, then you swap to the Z06 system after that and should be good for the next smog test with the correct tune.

Shaolin Crane

Technically the law is anything that is considered an OEM replacement doesn't need an EO number, so even if a smog tech noticed the Z06 manifolds they fall within the description of the law as an OEM replacement. It's how Edelbrock gets by on some of their parts as CA approved.

Not So Fast

I'm SO GLAD I DONT LIVE THERE ANYMORE !!!!!!!!!!!!! It used to be so great, I was born there but slowly it has become unrecognizable, at least to me. Nuff said
NSF

Boomer111

Also here in California I have had my 08 smogged checks twice now after the additional cats were added. Each time the tech looked under the car to see if it had the extra cats.

I had long tubes then the Z06 system and had to go all oem specific after the recall, so to speak.

The Z06 system will give decent HP gains but shy in the torque improvement.

For me not worth the hassle, and yes I do miss the long tubes. The Z06 stuff not so much.

FAUEE

I wouldnt live in a place like that. My car is stock and I find that to be intrusive, over the top, and a total waste of time and moey.