Well, I'm looking into redoing my exhaust, and would like to get a set of pacesetter long tubes with that "off road y pipe" but I have the lovely California smog to deal with.

So, would I be able to install the pacesetter longs tubes, the off road y pipe, and a universal 1-in 1-out cat and still be able to pass the emission tests? I'd even consider just u-bolting the cat in and only installing it to do the emission testing if the performance loss from doing this would be major.

Last time I took the test I was actually one point off the max in one of the categories, however, I think that after doing the plenum and replacing the CAT I will be able to pass easily.

The truck is a 96 1500 5.2L 4wd

Thanks!

 

Depends on where you are. Some places want everything stock. Sure, it may pass the sniffer test, but, it would fail the visual in a heartbeat. Need to talk to your local emissions testing station. They will know what you can/can not get away with.

 

Interesting. I don't think I have ever seen them do a visual test on my truck, so I may be good on that. I'd rather not have to have it come down to this, but I may just keep my stock parts and if I can't locate somebody who doesn't do a visual test just reinstall them. It will be a huge PITA, but I'd only have to do it every other year, so it would be doable.

 

google search provides this info:

Will aftermarket headers cause my car to fail the smog test?

Unless the aftermarket headers you purchase and install have an EO stamp, meaning they have been tested by the California Air Resource Board and been issued an Executive Order number, yes they will fail the smog inspection; as a tampered emission component. Exhaust headers, not to mention the entire AIR Air injection system is an "emissions component". Any modification to the headers, intake manifold, or exhaust manifold, including removal of a "Y" tube from the exhaust pipes (if equipped) is considered an emissions tamper. Your vehicle will fail the smog inspection even before the tailpipe exhaust is checked.

 

If that's the case, I'd just have to remove/reinstall every other year... I've never seen the smog dude check under the vehicle, so I'm not sure what the deal is. I guess if I do decide to go this route I'll figure out next time I go and get smogged.

 

autopartswarehouse site has them, at the bottom of the ad it says:
Emissions: 49-State Legal - no CA shipments

 

Yea, I have noticed that too. There are a few eBay sellers you can find that seem like they will gladly ship to CA. Probably not the most honorable thing to do, but I don't want to invest $400+ just to get that magnaflow direct fit cat that is CA legal.

 

You can find them cheaper.... around 250 or so... Just gotta dig. (amazon?)

 

I have heard of others that go to inspection in Ca only to find they don't have the plate on the headers and fail. Is your truck originally from Ca? Does it have four 02 sensors? You need to look into this before you change anything and save yourself from a big headache.

 

I'm sure there has got to be some "shady" inspectors out there. We have them all over where I'm at. The guy I use, pulls the vehicle into the bay, leaves it running, goes outside, smokes a cigarette, probably drinks a beer, comes back in, pulls the car out and says, "it passed". Gives me the inspection report and I'm on my way.