Navy1992

Hello all, been lurking for a while and finally ought to register.

Quick question, with Cali well the **** world for Engine mods with SMOG, Emissions etc. Should I just wait a while till I get back from deployment to get mods done, or register the car back home (Pennsylvania) So I can get LongTube headers, LT4 hot cam etc?

Tbh, I'm not sure why people say avoid Shorty headers, care to explain anyone? Thanks

97 Trans Am WS6

05HD

Register in PA if you have the choice. Shorty headers are the same price as long tubes and generally give you 1/2 the power gain.

Navy1992

Ah alright. This is my first vehicle and if I do register it back home, what do I gotta do about getting stickers, since back home we put Inspection Stickers in our Windshield, and how I go about everything without getting fined etc?

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

The gain differences between shorties and LT's has been a highly debated topic for years. There have been plenty of LT1's using either SLP or Mac shorties way back in the late 90's turning high 12's @ 107 with a bolt-on car and rear seats removed, stock gears on BFG Drag radials. The overwhelming consensus is exhaust restriction for normal bolt-on or cam only car is more prevalent with y-pipe and if catalytic converter(s) is/are in place.

I had 1 5/8" Edelbrock shorties on a heads/cam combo a long time ago. It also was using the stock y-pipe and catalytic converters. It ran consistent 12.5's @ 110mph. I then put LT's and off road y-pipe and ran consistent 12.2's @ 114mph. No way I can credit that to just going with LT's.

Navy1992

Ah alright Thanks 05HD and SS RRR. So how I'm looking at it, its personal preference and playing horse weather to get shorty vs LT. Now I don't wanna start anything but seems like I got my answer.

Still trying to decide the best price/performance ratio of parts to do to my car. Seems like the general rule of thumb to start with is new headers/cam/heads/pcm re-program if so desired

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

I'd say if your car is registered in a county where e-checks are not performed then by all means register there.

nomoneyz

iTrader: (15)

If you are concerned about smog in ca, just do a bolt on and cam car. You can do cai, mid headers, catback, gears, stall if auto and the hotcam kit will pass smog with a tune. You can even go larger than the hotcam and get it to pass smog with a great tune. Have a mid to high twelve sec car if you set it up right. Also there is always nitrous, but start with the basics.

BALLSS

my car is a b-body LT1 383 H/C w/Edelbrock shorty (smog legal) and passes smog. The tune needs to be right.

The Hot cam has been tuned to pass smog. It's the headers that can be a problem (visual inspection) if not CARB and long tubes are not.

There is the $300 option....

If you can register the car and get tags elsewhere you are open to any mods.

klawittera

Be careful, I had a car registered back in WI where no smog is required but to get DoD decals for base (Pendleton) I still had to get it smog tested in cali.