California emissions questions

[Ohbean]

Originally Posted by bdanisi

2500 bucks. Lol. I'll wait for some catted headers. How about a high flow catted front pipe? Would I be ok if I bought catted headers and a high flow catted front pipe, would that set up get me into trouble?

I believe under California vehicle code 'V C Section 27156 Gross Polluter Air Pollution Control Device', you are not allowed to disconect, modify or alter ny emission control device (cat). From what I understand, you may replace a broken cat, but only with a factory part or part approved by the California Air Resources Board.

So technically, even installing a catted header would violate the CA vehicle code.
If you get caught..

[bdanisi]

It's so ridiculous I can't swap out my headers legally but this guy in the giant diesel pick up next to me at the light is just pouring out plumes of black smoke...

[sw20kosh]

Originally Posted by bdanisi

2500 bucks. Lol. I'll wait for some catted headers. How about a high flow catted front pipe? Would I be ok if I bought catted headers and a high flow catted front pipe, would that set up get me into trouble?

This wont work. You cannot change the cats period. The only time it is permissible is when it is old and/or failing. Then you can have a stock cat put in (or an OBDII carb certified cat which costs thousands of $$$).

That being said... there are ways of disguising the header catted or not. A simple shroud or heat shield from another vehicle even can be adapted to "cover up" said area. You will have to get creative.

Even after having said that, most cops will not really be able to tell 100% since the headers are underneath the motor. So 9 times out of 10 I would think the cops wouldn't hassle you unless your car had a big fat shiny turbo sitting in front of the motor and bling bling intercooler pipes everywhere and blow off valves galor...etc. Then they will definitely call someone in to inspect you.

[Squishy86]

Originally Posted by Ohbean

I believe under California vehicle code 'V C Section 27156 Gross Polluter Air Pollution Control Device', you are not allowed to disconect, modify or alter ny emission control device (cat). From what I understand, you may replace a broken cat, but only with a factory part or part approved by the California Air Resources Board.

So technically, even installing a catted header would violate the CA vehicle code.
If you get caught..

Fucking California...

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[jeebus]

Originally Posted by bdanisi

It's so ridiculous I can't swap out my headers legally but this guy in the giant diesel pick up next to me at the light is just pouring out plumes of black smoke...

They can't do that anymore either. As of a few years ago, all diesels 1998 and later have to have a smog check. They do the visual inspection, OBD2, and a visual smoke test. I just sold my 335d so I know all about it.

Originally Posted by sw20kosh

Then you can have a stock cat put in (or an OBDII carb certified cat which costs thousands of $$$).

CARB cats are not thousands of dollars. My 1988 535is failed smog and I had to replace the cat. I purchased a 50 state, CARB approved, magnaflow for less than $200. However the car does have to be 8 years or older before you can use anything other than an OE cat.

[bdanisi]

So what I've learned is that swapping the headers and the midpipe is technically illegal. What about the overpipe?

[Tim_Asphalt_FRS]

Originally Posted by bdanisi

So what I've learned is that swapping the headers and the midpipe is technically illegal. What about the overpipe?

Overpipe should technically have a CARB EO #, but I doubt a smog tech would notice it down there, it's pretty well hidden. When I get mine, I'm coating it black.


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