California Exhaust Question

[cas951]

Originally Posted by Dlirium

Reviving this Thread rather than starting a new one - couple of things -

1) I'm in CA and have not even CONSIDERED changing the headers due to CA smog laws. I HAVE changed the exhaust and, in fact, since there isn't a O2 sensor on the secondary cats, I put a test pipe in and it runs great.

2) Since CA doesn't sniff anymore on certain model years (including my 2000 S), that 2nd cat's weren't an issue. And I have a guy that is WAY to lazy to get under my car to check, so I'm good with visual

3) This got me to thinking about headers. And since my boxster is mainly a track car, I'm thinking of putting them on (research tells me they DO make a difference on our cars).

Question is - for those that have headers, and especially those that have headers in CA -

1) What all is involved in KEEPING the primary cats and O2 sensors with headers? Is it a big project, or pretty much plug and play?

2) Do you feel the performance improvement and potential new life of crime is worth it?

Thanks for your input!!

I don't have an answer to your question but can you elaborate more on item 2?
My 02 is due for registration and it states it needs a smog certificate.

[EJ-Fresno]

Originally Posted by cas951

I don't have an answer to your question but can you elaborate more on item 2?
My 02 is due for registration and it states it needs a smog certificate.

They do not use the tail pipe sniffer anymore but plug their computer on the OBDII port and run the tests through a software.
They don't even kneel anymore at the back of the car so less and less chances that they find out if you installed cat pipes / headers.

[Dlirium]

Originally Posted by EJ-Fresno

They do not use the tail pipe sniffer anymore but plug their computer on the OBDII port and run the tests through a software.
They don't even kneel anymore at the back of the car so less and less chances that they find out if you installed cat pipes / headers.

Yeah, exactly what I was thinking!

[healthservices]

We do smogs and yes we open the engine cover as well as look under the car. Visual is legally still part of the inspection.

[thom4782]

Does Porsche sell a CARB legal header and a different header that is legal in the other states. From what I can see, they cite one part number 01S and I've been assuming its legal in all states.

[EJ-Fresno]

Originally Posted by healthservices

We do smogs and yes we open the engine cover as well as look under the car. Visual is legally still part of the inspection.

I do not doubt about your professionalism, don't misunderstand me.
The local places where I lately smogged my cars didn't visually check, they used the OBDII port. Some places refused to smog the 986 though because they couldn't "have a look at the engine"...

[healthservices]

Originally Posted by EJ-Fresno

I do not doubt about your professionalism, don't misunderstand me.
The local places where I lately smogged my cars didn't visually check, they used the OBDII port. Some places refused to smog the 986 though because they couldn't "have a look at the engine"...

I'm just saying legally they are supposed to look and do a visual inspection. We look, especially since they have been cracking down on our area here. We charge extra to remove the covers to inspect. We do other more exotic cars.


What's funny is some of these car sit so long or they actually remove the connection to the battery so that they can be stored long term with no ill effects ie. Battery drainage, but this removes all the readiness tests , this means they have to drive the car until the tests are complete. The smog inspection cannot be performed if the readiness tests are not complete. You should see the look on their face. They have to actually drive their low mileage Ferrari or Lamborghini! What a horrible thought! I keep offering my services to drive their car until the readiness test are complete, so far it my offer has not been taken. Although it has come close, a couple people have come back several times without the readiness test complete. It must really suck to be forced to drive your exotic car.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[cas951]

How long do you have to drive the car to complete the readiness test?

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by healthservices

Did this car pass? Curious since the headlights are cloudy.

[cas951]

Originally Posted by EJ-Fresno

They do not use the tail pipe sniffer anymore but plug their computer on the OBDII port and run the tests through a software.
They don't even kneel anymore at the back of the car so less and less chances that they find out if you installed cat pipes / headers.

Thanks. It's been two years since I last smogged any of my cars and I have 4. That cycle is this year and I already have two to smog. I'm not sure of this method is easier to pass or not.