Experience w/ Catless Headers?

[PMok]

Originally Posted by B2FiNiTY

that will be amazingly car modifying friendly

yes, although there is still a visual inspection so if you have headers and it's easy to see/tell that you have no cats, that may still constitute a FAIL... I guess if you are friendly with the smog tech he can "look the other way" or overlook that fact. Or you can get some kind of OEM-looking manifold heat shields to cover them LOL.

Went to smog the tC today and they are still doing the rolling 15 and 25mph tests (it passed of course). I asked when they would adopt the OIS process and he said he wasn't sure, the state was being vague maybe sometime this year. Can't wait since personally the new OIS will help me out on more than one car.

[akahenry]

Originally Posted by Jolaessss

What exhaust are you going to run with the headers?

I felt the same way. My main concern was getting pulled over for having a loud car. I'm currently running the RevWorks UEL header with the Invidia N1 catback and I don't regret it one bit. My girlfriend and I love the sound but a couple of my buddies say it's too loud.

Living in the east side of san jose I come across cops alot and havent been pulled over yet (knock on wood.) I've had them driving behind me and beside me. They dont seem to mind. As long as you're not being a douche and driving responsibility, I think you should be fine. Good luck!

Dude one of these days I have to listen to your Exhaust setup at one of the meets! I'm also on the fence of whether to get a catted UEL or a catless UEL. With this said, I'm probably not going to do headers until I finish suspension and wheels (haven't done that yet lol). It doesn't hurt to start researching early though!

[leicaboss]

Ugh. I am still torn. I have a Nameless Axleback right now, and any louder would be too loud for me personally. I suppose I can go cat less only if I swap to a more quiet system overall? Or I'd have to go with a carted header. Definitely want to add the Nameless catted and resonated FP/OP combo regardless though.


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[chiefshayan]

Got pulled over yesterday in the Berkeley area. Cop was super cool, said he had a '11 STI and understands how loud these cars can get once you open up the exhaust. Didn't even give me a warning, just let me go with a fist bump.

[mkivsoopra]

Originally Posted by leicaboss

Ugh. I am still torn. I have a Nameless Axleback right now, and any louder would be too loud for me personally. I suppose I can go cat less only if I swap to a more quiet system overall? Or I'd have to go with a carted header. Definitely want to add the Nameless catted and resonated FP/OP combo regardless though.


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I have the Nameless catted+resonated FP/OP combo and it seems to really help with the drone. The rest of the system consists of a JDL UEL and Milltek non-resonated catback. Overall, the volume is there, but I don't think it's annoyingly loud. The regulars at the usual South Bay meets can probably give better feedback, since I don't usually get to hear my car from the outside. hahah

[leicaboss]

Originally Posted by mkivsoopra

I have the Nameless catted+resonated FP/OP combo and it seems to really help with the drone. The rest of the system consists of a JDL UEL and Milltek non-resonated catback. Overall, the volume is there, but I don't think it's annoyingly loud. The regulars at the usual South Bay meets can probably give better feedback, since I don't usually get to hear my car from the outside. hahah

Sweet, thanks. I do remember hearing your car in person - though I'm more of a pansy when it comes to sound haha! I actually ended up with catted headers, though I think catless will be a consideration in the future

[mitosis]

Originally Posted by chiefshayan

Got pulled over yesterday in the Berkeley area. Cop was super cool, said he had a '11 STI and understands how loud these cars can get once you open up the exhaust. Didn't even give me a warning, just let me go with a fist bump.

If you don't mind me asking, what did he pull you over for in the first place?


Was it exhaust-related or was is coincidental that you guys started talking about exhaust volume?


...just curious.

[CamryDS]

Just to chime in, I've been looking for a catted option just because of the issues above. Don't want to deal with swapping out headers just because - clearly it's a pain. I rather have a good working header than I can have catted and throw a super charger on it that's carb legal down the line.

Other than that, not much I would want to actually do. If OFT made a catted header, I would jump on that without even thinking, but everyone is making headers without a cat so in california, and without a garage, i'm not going to deal with swaping it in and out when it comes time to smog.

Weight reduction is a big thing, since it's, what 25lbs down to 12/13? That would be an increase on it's own.

[tonystewart]

I'm running OFT 1.55b Stage 2 EL header with catted header from FA20club.com. P&L, JDL, make catted and uncatted EL headers only requiring one pipe/ piece to be removed /replaced that will work as well. I've gone that route with mine, one vband clamp and two bolts to swap out cat.

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[PMok]

the problem is, in CA any header that doesn't look OEM (and isn't separately CARB certified) will not pass the visual inspection part of the smog check. Even when they get rid of the rolling/emissions part of the test (supposedly later this year) there will still be a visual inspection as part of the check.

one solution to this would be to have some kind of OEM-looking heat shield over the headers so the smog tech wouldn't notice it's aftermarket. I believe the Crawford Performance BRZ has something like this over its header (though judging by the rest of the engine compartment you're not fooling anyone there haha). Another solution would be if you knew a guy, who uhhh, doesn't look that carefully for the visual part...

[tonystewart]

I learned something new, Thanks. Florida doesn't inspect cars anymore. Tough Laws in your state but California sure has great wine

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[chiefshayan]

Originally Posted by mitosis

If you don't mind me asking, what did he pull you over for in the first place?


Was it exhaust-related or was is coincidental that you guys started talking about exhaust volume?


...just curious.

It was exhaust related. I have a catless front pipe and a non-resonated cat back. Pretty loud above 3500rpm. It was at night and he heard my car from a few blocks away.

[BRZY]

Federal government's view on emissions:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/about/faq.htm#question13

I doubt anyone here will come across a federal agent that is going to inspect their vehicle for emissions. But, the sound of breaking federal law sounds bad.

IIRC, there have been a few stints in the Bay Area with mobile smog stations in the past few years.

In regards to aftermarket catted headers and catted front pipes if it is not listed below, I believe it is deemed non-compliant in the views of CARB.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermk...ktcatdbase.htm

For aftermarket exhausts, law enforcement officers can say that he/she thinks it exceeds a certain decibel level under CVC (forgot what number code) and issue you a fix-it ticket to the state referee. It costs ~$100 for state referees to run the test and issue a certification that states the exhaust complies to the legal noise level limit. BTW, that certification has an expiration date of a year or so.

If whoever pulling you over believes that your car has altered emissions equipment, he/she can issue you a fix-it ticket to see a state referee to have them run a smog check on your car. It is no fun dealing with state referees. They will do everything by the book; cross every t, and dot every i.

[leicaboss]

Originally Posted by chiefshayan

It was exhaust related. I have a catless front pipe and a non-resonated cat back. Pretty loud above 3500rpm. It was at night and he heard my car from a few blocks away.

I'm going to run catted UEL, FP, and resonated 2.5" Perrin Catback - the FT86SF headers should allow for the stock splash guard to go back on... hopefully that helps?