Adding Headers - Legal???? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

tjgalati · 07-21-2008, 04:57 PM

Im new to modding the engine/exhaust/intake. I live in CA and use my box as a weekend ride and autoX beast.

Im thinking of adding some headers/deleting some cats etc.... However, what will this do to my street legal status? Will i still be able to pass a smog check?

Thoughts on best bang (HP) for buck regarding brands and applications would be nice as well.

Thx

TJ Galati

fragdude · 07-21-2008, 05:54 PM

I think in CA they do both a "sniffer" test and visual inspection, depending on where you get your inspection done. Most companies will tell you if their product will pass the sniffer test, however if you go to an inspection station that is strict about the visual inspection part (even though its a bit harder sometimes on a boxster), you wont pass with anything but the muffler modified. It all depends on the station you go to. Some don't care, some will pass you if you pay them a bit extra.

Hope this helps

Kirk · 07-21-2008, 08:10 PM

Is it legal? No, it's not legal to delete cats in any state. I think the question that you're really looking to answer is whether or not you'll get caught! As fragdude explained that depends on where you take your car and whether or not they do a visual check along with the tail pipe check. I've had three smog inspections since I moved to Cali and not once did they do a visual on my Boxster or SUV.

Tool Pants · 07-22-2008, 07:31 AM

I have a 1997 that has had 5 inspections. First when it was sold in 1999 when I bought it, and 4 inspections after that.

As others have said, the issue could be with a visual inspection. A smog guy told me that soon there will be a video camera so the state can watch what he does.

2 inspections ago I had to pull the engine lid and you can see Felix the smog guy with a flashlight. He also got on the ground and looked under the car. He was not looking for drugs....

I have know Felix for years and he had smogged my car several times before without looking. But that one time several mechanics, myself, and the service manager was watching. Felix thought I had altered the car and tried to set him up, to see if he could find a modification, and that is why all the people were watching him. So he went by the book and did the visual inspection.

So for California people - let's see how lax the visual inspection will be once the camera goes in.

fragdude · 07-22-2008, 02:08 PM

big brother is watching....

fu03steve · 07-22-2008, 02:26 PM

my boxster have no cats nor any resonator...
it smells and but sounds good...but never had problem with the law....
I say F*** them... and do what you like on your car... it's yours not there's

silver arrow · 07-22-2008, 03:49 PM

Not legal in any state. Any change in the emissions system (which by federal law is from intake to tale pipe) is a violation on the clean air act. CA has their CARB cert program which is NOT approved or covered by the federal law, but the federal government has been slow to offer there own similar program so they just leave CA alone. Most other states just don't have any enforcement and the federal government doesn't have any enforcement leaving you to do whatever you want in most states. However, the feds have been threatening some vendors and manufactures that clearly market to street cars, but give the obligatory "for off road use only".