Flowmaster American Thunder Catback Smog Legal in California? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

TCAT · 05-20-2011, 12:00 AM

Please excuse my modification "newness"

. I have a question regarding catback legality in California. I asked this question on another thread, but I figured I post it here, because I'll learn even more from various responses.

I was thinking of getting the Flowmaster American Thunder Cat-back or the American Thunder Axle-back system. I live in California and from what I understand, it's not smog legal to install an aftermarket X-pipe or H-pipe. I was completely unaware that the Thunder Catback came with what the website says "Scavenger X-Pipe." So, basically that means it's not smog legal in Cali, correct? I thought Catbacks were okay in Cali because they DIDN'T change the X-pipe or H-pipe, but that doesn't seem to be the case. That shows you how new at this I still am, ha-ha. Am I correct in all my assumptions? I wanted the catback because of the 3" piping for future mods, but it looks like you can't keep the stock H-pipe when installing a catback, right?

Thanks

Firebreed · 05-20-2011, 12:31 AM

Last I heard as long as you do not move the cats which are before the factory h pipe your fine. Im in California my self and have the flowmaster cat back and love it. You should have no problems come smog time
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TCAT · 05-20-2011, 12:56 AM

Thanks fire. I was pretty dissapointed when I saw that the Flowmaster included some sort of X-pipe, because I thought that was an automatic disqualification when it comes to smog legality in Cali and aftermarket X-pipes. It seems like this catback maintains all 4 of the cats (not just a couple), right? If so, I'm assuming I should be okay. Thanks again.

Buffnshine · 05-20-2011, 01:22 AM

yes as long as you dont touch the cats they are legal. I run a modified system that is just a tad bit more aggressive

TCAT · 05-20-2011, 02:11 AM

Excellent, thanks Buff. That's good news. I think I'm going to order the American Thunder catback tonight. Autopartsdealer.com has the kit for $633 with free shipping. Not too bad! I was also thinking of getting the Bassani Dominator GT Pro axle-back (I ordered a Bassani a while ago but the vendor had it on backorder).

There's only a couple of Bassani axle-back videos on youtube unfortunately. It doesn't seem to be popular at all on the Camaro though.

Firebreed · 05-20-2011, 07:07 AM

You'll love the flowmasters they will drone abit around 75-80mph in sixth but its not bad at all

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TCAT · 05-20-2011, 09:30 AM

Thanks Fire. I am looking forward to getting it installed. Many of the other catbacks or axle-backs I've listened to are a bit too raspy for my liking, and that's what drew me to the Thunder catback. I just want a deep sound.

05-20-2011, 12:00 AM	#1
TCAT Drives: Has Wheels Join Date: May 2011 Location: On Earth Posts: 5,553	Flowmaster American Thunder Catback Smog Legal in California? Please excuse my modification "newness" . I have a question regarding catback legality in California. I asked this question on another thread, but I figured I post it here, because I'll learn even more from various responses. I was thinking of getting the Flowmaster American Thunder Cat-back or the American Thunder Axle-back system. I live in California and from what I understand, it's not smog legal to install an aftermarket X-pipe or H-pipe. I was completely unaware that the Thunder Catback came with what the website says "Scavenger X-Pipe." So, basically that means it's not smog legal in Cali, correct? I thought Catbacks were okay in Cali because they DIDN'T change the X-pipe or H-pipe, but that doesn't seem to be the case. That shows you how new at this I still am, ha-ha. Am I correct in all my assumptions? I wanted the catback because of the 3" piping for future mods, but it looks like you can't keep the stock H-pipe when installing a catback, right? Thanks

05-20-2011, 12:31 AM	#2
Firebreed Got Boost? Drives: 2011 1SS/RS M6 SLP TVS 2300 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 404	Last I heard as long as you do not move the cats which are before the factory h pipe your fine. Im in California my self and have the flowmaster cat back and love it. You should have no problems come smog time Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk __________________ 2011 1SS/RS M6 MOD List: SLP 2300 Supercharged, Flowmaster AT Cat back, aux 4 guage cluster, 12" kicker sub and Kicker Zx400.1 amp, PFADT Lowering springs CAI Inc. CAI, Hurst Short throw shifter, JBA 1 7/8 Long tube headers. Future Mods: 416ci stroker.

05-20-2011, 01:22 AM	#4
Buffnshine So Cal Camaro5 Race Team Drives: '10 SS/RS, '06 HHR, '70 El Camino Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 2,589 View My Garage	yes as long as you dont touch the cats they are legal. I run a modified system that is just a tad bit more aggressive __________________ TEAM L99 - So Cal Camaro5 Race Team #27 9/5/09 Purchased #36962 Black 1SS/RS L99 "E-TCKT" Base Dyno 328hp/341tq @BBK meet Mods to Date: Window Tint 5% & 15%, ACC P13W Lighting, Adaptive DRL Harness, Ghost Armor, Lloyds "SS" Mats, Dash Plaque, Flowmaster Outlaw Exhaust, Drake Front Bowtie Delete, Stealth 3457 Chrome/Mirror Signal Bulbs, Grant Revolutions Steering Wheel, PFADT Sport Springs, Sway Bars, End Links, Trailing Arms, 4 Wheel Alignment, Hurst Auto Shifter and Paddle Shifter, Satin Black Rear Tail Light Bezels

05-20-2011, 07:07 AM	#6
Firebreed Got Boost? Drives: 2011 1SS/RS M6 SLP TVS 2300 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 404	You'll love the flowmasters they will drone abit around 75-80mph in sixth but its not bad at all Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk __________________ 2011 1SS/RS M6 MOD List: SLP 2300 Supercharged, Flowmaster AT Cat back, aux 4 guage cluster, 12" kicker sub and Kicker Zx400.1 amp, PFADT Lowering springs CAI Inc. CAI, Hurst Short throw shifter, JBA 1 7/8 Long tube headers. Future Mods: 416ci stroker.

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05-20-2011, 12:56 AM	#3
TCAT Drives: Has Wheels Join Date: May 2011 Location: On Earth Posts: 5,553	Thanks fire. I was pretty dissapointed when I saw that the Flowmaster included some sort of X-pipe, because I thought that was an automatic disqualification when it comes to smog legality in Cali and aftermarket X-pipes. It seems like this catback maintains all 4 of the cats (not just a couple), right? If so, I'm assuming I should be okay. Thanks again.

05-20-2011, 02:11 AM	#5
TCAT Drives: Has Wheels Join Date: May 2011 Location: On Earth Posts: 5,553	Excellent, thanks Buff. That's good news. I think I'm going to order the American Thunder catback tonight. Autopartsdealer.com has the kit for $633 with free shipping. Not too bad! I was also thinking of getting the Bassani Dominator GT Pro axle-back (I ordered a Bassani a while ago but the vendor had it on backorder). There's only a couple of Bassani axle-back videos on youtube unfortunately. It doesn't seem to be popular at all on the Camaro though.

05-20-2011, 09:30 AM	#7
TCAT Drives: Has Wheels Join Date: May 2011 Location: On Earth Posts: 5,553	Thanks Fire. I am looking forward to getting it installed. Many of the other catbacks or axle-backs I've listened to are a bit too raspy for my liking, and that's what drew me to the Thunder catback. I just want a deep sound.