ssscottg

OK, I know this is a hard question... But I know that this forum up to the task.

What head and cam combination should I use to retain smog testing certification for a CA car? For the most part ported heads and cam will pass visual. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> In my county they test idle and 2500 rpm on the dyno tailpipe emissions.
I was thinking of a stage 2 heads with cam smaller than 222 duration and .550 lift with a 114 lsa. am I in the right ballpark? Will heads make a difference in emissions?

I know that someone posted that the hot cam + stock heads passed emissions in TX.

SSBoy

Thats about in the right ballpark.

Note: heads dont really affect Emissions

Cam: its hard to say, i think anything from 224 duration with a 114 and under should pass. Stick with the 114 lsa. Tuning is the key to passing. (i.e. making the sure the car is running good , maybe a lil lean at smog time, and not rich)

GOOD cats are also very important, you will definitely need those to pass.

ssscottg

So good cats are Random or carsound? What about stock manifolds and stock cats? Do the stock "pup" cats make the emissions cleaner?

Thanks
<img border="0" alt="[barf]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" /> emissions

FormulaWS6

IMHO, if you are going to do H/C, might as well and at least put some MAC headers on there to benefit completely from the H/C.

Jantzer98SS

iTrader: (54)

You can make good power through the stock exaust manifolds. My car put down 384RWHP with my stage I heads, the MMS224 .535 lift cam, LS1 intake, without tuning and I ran 119MPH traps. JBA headers were worth nothing on my car, so forget about shorty headers.

Go with the MMS218 cam so you'll be sure and pass emissions. It will make good power still.

SSBoy

Formula hit it in the money. If your gonna do h/c route, you gotta get headers. Its not really worth doing h/c without headers. (yes i know headers are not carb legal in Ca) The SLP's come with the good random cats, and the ones that i have (FLP) i believe have Metco cats. I passed here in cali with my FLP's and my old comp 212 218 cam.

when it comes time to smog, find someone that will pass you with the headers or just take them off at smog time.

LS1derfull

Jantzer thanks for shorty header info, you are helpful with every post. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

SidewayZ-28

You'll want to get headers to really complement the setup. ALL headers except shorties are a no go out here in Cali. Live by these two words and you'll be alright

"Money Talks" <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

YOU <img border="0" alt="[devil]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[angel]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_angel.gif" /> DMV

<small>[ March 25, 2002, 08:55 PM: Message edited by: SidewayZ-28 ]</small>

ssscottg

Thanks much for the information on cams and headers too. Looks like I will settle on a somthing in the range of 218/218 to 222/222 with a .550 to .56x lift. I plan on consulting with the local hot rod shop for tuning information.

This forum is really helpful.

Scott

FormulaWS6

Scott, if you have a MN-6, you can get by for sure without tuning with a cam in the 218 to 222 range. THere are a few of us locally with cams in that range wiht no tuning and are A4s.

The worst that will happen is that you would have to drill the TB a little.

I am planning on getting a 218, 220, or 216/220 cam and will not be getting any tuning for now.

WhiteDiamond

Scott,

I know the MTI B1 cam and the TR 224 cam(on 114LSA) will pass the IM240 roller emissions testing at the tailpipe. Your concerns about California visual checks are good, but you have a few choices. I personally would choose the TR224 cam and stage II heads or the MTI B1 cam and stage II heads and install them. If your car is a 98-00 model, I would get an LS6 intake and have it mod'd for the EGR hole. You can also work the throttle body and MAF, but be careful when playing with the MAF. Get the car tuned through the use of LS1edit and a wideband O2 sensor(I would do this before playing with the MAF, maybe just pull the screen) and get it running right. Get the idle bumped a little and work the timing/fuel table to make the idle as smooth as you can around 900rpm.

You should easily pass CA emissions this way, both tailpipe and visually. Once you have the little paper saying "pass", dump the factory exhaust manifolds and Y-pipe and put on something nice until the next round of emissions. If you run Random Tech cats, you would pass with them, but I think the visual will nail you(they don't look like factory cats at all).

Todd

F8L Z71

Yeah or you can do like me and install a huge cam, then cross your fingers and if it wont pass then install a new cam for smog then go back to the old one for a few more years. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

My new one is 226/234 .554/.575 112. LOL

But I also live in Placer County and our smog is easier to pass.