Emissions with aftermarket headers in DMV area
 

Just want to check in with those who have aftermarket headers installed on their cars. I wanted to know if you guys just put the stock header back on when going in for an emissions test or is there another route to pass the test? I'm in the market for a header but my emissions is coming up in 2015 so want to make sure before I go in and fail.

geez emissions testing for you already? colorado i think is 5 years til the cars first one (so mine should be 2017)

I would just put the stock one on a month before the emission test.

@mrlewistan Yeah, we have two options we can pay for one year or two years in between emissions test when we renew our registration. sucks :(

^^ What's the reasoning behind putting it on a month before the actual inspection?

by DMV do you mean md/dc/va? If you're talking maryland as long as you don't have a CEL an CATS are intact you're fine (thanks to @ptuning for this on my last visit). Just passed emissions and I have Stage 2 innovate... no problem. DC and VA,I hear you can... ummm pay a 'fee' for passing any emissions test... wink wink nod nod.

Matt

yeah - I should of been more specific...Virginia. I'm thinking OFH + OFT so that will get rid of the cat. I'm sure there are plenty of people running catless headers so was wondering what they are doing to pass inspections..

So emission readiness checks are completed, if not when they scan the OBD2 for compliance you will fail.

It really depends on the place you go to. In California, most places don't even look for a cat, they throw it on the machine and do their thing. But *star* certified(higher ranking) smog places are really picky on the cars they pass, as they do not want to lose their certifications.

Do you have any cats? Do you have an intake?

I have passed before in a civic with a japanese motor with intake/exhaust and no cat.

I say you just go and test your luck, you do get free re-tests right? In California we get 3 tests for one payment. So if you fail on the first test, go home swap headers and re-test(or give the guy a 20-40dollar sammich).

Readiness should only take 1-2 days of driving, approximately 89-120 miles. A month in advance is just outrageous.

Full 3" Exhaust with aftermarket Open Header and a race cat. I can confirm as long as you do not have a CEL and have a proper tune you will not have any issues.

Your right a month is probably a little high, but you have to meet certain criteria for the checks to be completed and I don't know his driving habits, so figured a month would take care of that. if he works a mile down the road from his house and thats the only driving he does in two days, well the readiness checks wouldn't be complete, I can almost guarantee that. :)

Here is an example of the STI drive cycle to complete readiness checks.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=955920