Wanted some advice from fellow CA Drivers
08-16-2011, 10:14 PM
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Wanted some advice from fellow CA Drivers So I'm at a point where I need to decide what headers to put on my car, so far I was thinking I'd either go with 95 Mac mid length Headers to stay somewhat in the safe zone emissions, I'd go with 1 cat and do a tune while still keeping my missions attachments. Then there's the other route, I go with LT's like it seems that most people on the forums seem to preach about, I was thinking the pacesetters price range, I've heard 50/50 sides to ebay LTS but I don't think Ill go with the Ebays just to not risk it. If I go Lt, ill be losing my cats and most likely my evaps, but will have to deal with the hassle with smog later.
I'm mostly concerned because its my DD, and I worry about clearance and attention from PD.
So far I'm at a stand still
What do you guys think would be a good route? everyone here mostly run LTS?
Thanks
I own a 1997 T/A
I'm mostly concerned because its my DD, and I worry about clearance and attention from PD.
So far I'm at a stand still
What do you guys think would be a good route? everyone here mostly run LTS?
Thanks
I own a 1997 T/A
08-16-2011, 11:02 PM
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if u relocate the cats or eliminate a cat u will instantly fail. Only Legal Headers are Shorties.
Mid length or LT's are illegal in California. Anything that Alters the position of the Original cats is illegal even if you keep all the emissions system.
So its either LT's or shorties. Dont waste your time with Mids.
Mid length or LT's are illegal in California. Anything that Alters the position of the Original cats is illegal even if you keep all the emissions system.
So its either LT's or shorties. Dont waste your time with Mids.
08-16-2011, 11:58 PM
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There are gains to be had with Shorties,this is an LT1 so those log manifolds suck donkey *****. The gains just aren't as good as LTs. SLP makes (or did)1-3/4" smog legal headers and high flow cats that will give you a boost but they are big $$$. If you know anyone at a smog shop that will over look LTs and just run the test you can still pass the sniffer as long as your cats are good and your tuned right. I would highly recommend getting
Jet-Hot or some kind of coating to keep the heat in the tubes for better Cat light off.
Jet-Hot or some kind of coating to keep the heat in the tubes for better Cat light off.
08-17-2011, 05:48 AM
#7
(1) long-tubes & mid-length tubes = instant fail at any legit shop in CA. Unless you know a buddy who will risk his business to pass cars with removed /relocated cats, you'll never pass the visual at smog. I know of 2 shops in my area (Blossom Hill area) that were closed down because of this.
(2) waste of money...bullshit! Are shorties as good as long-tubes? No. But they're definitely better than stock. And if you're gonna keep the car CA smog-friendly, the shorties are the way to go; every little bit counts
(3) I've got JBAs. Have always passed smog. The first thing the guys do is look at me headers, and then poke (squeeze) their heads underneath my rocker panels and look for my cats.
(2) waste of money...bullshit! Are shorties as good as long-tubes? No. But they're definitely better than stock. And if you're gonna keep the car CA smog-friendly, the shorties are the way to go; every little bit counts
(3) I've got JBAs. Have always passed smog. The first thing the guys do is look at me headers, and then poke (squeeze) their heads underneath my rocker panels and look for my cats.
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08-17-2011, 09:01 AM
#8
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Great Point. People are quick to jump on the LT band wagon. Sure, they flow better, but Shorties are better than stock and you never have to worry about Smog. You add some High-flow cats and you got yourself a great flowing exhaust. I noticed a decent difference when I added my Shorties.
I still run Shorties on my 383 Stroker build and it runs low 12's all day long with Stock heads and Mild cam. Still passes Visual and sniffer.
The bottom line is: If you dont care for about being legal and are going for Pure power, Then when you compare LT's vs Shorties, Yes Shorties are a waste of money.
If you DD your car and dont wanna hassle with PD's, SMOG, and everything that goes along with that, Shorties are a great legal alternative. And dont have to worry about clearance issues. : )
Last edited by ConElite; 08-17-2011 at 09:08 AM.
08-17-2011, 12:29 PM
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Last edited by ZexGX; 08-17-2011 at 12:46 PM.
08-17-2011, 04:52 PM
#13
I am using bbk shorties on my 1997 TA, they are really nice, but I did have them coated by these guys http://www.specializedcoating.com/hu...c-coatings.htm;the coating made a huge difference.
08-17-2011, 06:23 PM
#15
DO NOT USE EBAY HEADERS.....
Ok my input out the way, go LT's or stay stock, no use spending the time to do headers for shorties or mids in my opinion.
I had EBAY headers and they sucked, they caused an issue with causing a random misfore on Cyl 2 since the primary ran right over the spark plug and would melt spark plug wires like crazy. They fit like a crap and just not as good as pacesetters which are just about the same price.
Ok my input out the way, go LT's or stay stock, no use spending the time to do headers for shorties or mids in my opinion.
I had EBAY headers and they sucked, they caused an issue with causing a random misfore on Cyl 2 since the primary ran right over the spark plug and would melt spark plug wires like crazy. They fit like a crap and just not as good as pacesetters which are just about the same price.
08-17-2011, 06:28 PM
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I would say get LTs run high flow cats to reduce the noise.
And just go easy on the throttle on hot areas
I'm on the same situation as you. Shorties are not on my list
LTs are the only option for our cars.
And just go easy on the throttle on hot areas
I'm on the same situation as you. Shorties are not on my list
LTs are the only option for our cars.
08-17-2011, 08:36 PM
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Shorties + this and my guess is its not more than 10hp difference with LT's+Cats.
less than 10hp for never having to deal with smog. Good enough for me.
if course Im sure if you plan on doing HCI down the road LT's will help out much more.
Last edited by ConElite; 08-17-2011 at 08:43 PM.
08-17-2011, 09:59 PM
#19
Summit, think it was $420ish with shipping and got free express shipping.
Shorties + this and my guess is its not more than 10hp difference with LT's+Cats.
less than 10hp for never having to deal with smog. Good enough for me.
if course Im sure if you plan on doing HCI down the road LT's will help out much more.
Shorties + this and my guess is its not more than 10hp difference with LT's+Cats.
less than 10hp for never having to deal with smog. Good enough for me.
if course Im sure if you plan on doing HCI down the road LT's will help out much more.