California Smog Question???Headers & Ghl Exhaust Pass California Smog????
 

Dear Sirs,

Does anyone know or have experience with smog regulations in California?

I have a 1998 Porsche Boxster 2.5L with Header and GHL exhaust systems installed. Will this pass Ca. Smog Regulations?

Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Junior

If you shop if by the book you won't pass.

I was warned when I took my car in not to mess with anything unless are the replaced parts are C.A.R.B. exempt. The technician also looked underneath my car w/ mirrors for aftermarket parts.

Since my 1997 is so old it has been smogged 5 times.

There is supposed to be a visual inspection to see if any of the emission equipment has been altered. Only once did I have to pull the engine lid and the guy looked under the car - but that is a long story as he thought we were trying to pull a fast one.

If you get called on altering the emission equipment then you fail the visual, even if you have 100% pure air out of the exhaust pipe.

I use to know the rules but I am rusty. Muffler should not matter since it is after the cat. I forget the rule on headers. I think aftermarket headers have to be CARB approved. A 2.5 does not have the cat in the header like a 2000-2004 does. Also does not have the oxygen sensors in the header.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/amquery.php

IT depends on the station. Most won,t look under the bonnet. Some will look under the back. Some will fail you if they don't like what they see.

Then there is the actual test itself, if you get that far.

Good luck.

"They say the smog is the reason you guys have such beautiful sunsets."

-V

Your sunsets must be looking pretty good by now too.

from seattle.gov

A US EPA study released in 2002 places Seattle and King County in the top five percentile in the nation for concentrations of some of the most hazardous air toxics

Now that must really piss off the Greenies in Seattle. Hey man, you are messing with my air, they

:D say while sipping their Starbucks latte!

I can recommend a place in Redondo Beach. I have taken my car there twice with aftermarket headers and exhaust. They have never looked at the engine nor looked under the car (even when it failed)....

Oh yeah...it failed because I made the mistake of just rocking up straight after starting the car...my recommendation would be to take the car for a good run before taking it for a smog check..get the cats / headers and exhaust nice and hot.

The only thing that may catch you out with the GHL is the noise. My exhaust is slightly louder than stock but not crazy loud...I believe the GHL is a fair bit louder than stock?