Question for CA guys - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Jeanius · 10-06-2009, 11:44 PM

I am going to be buying some headers, and I was going to go with high flow cats.

But ive been thinking, Long tubes, which is what I will get, are not legal here in CA, so what is the point to get high flow cats?

I am already breaking the law, is there any difference if I get cats or not? Im not worried about smog, I know people who can take care of me

What do you guys think?

linkwpc · 10-07-2009, 12:05 AM

If you get long tubes and cops decide to check, they can tell you got cats or not. It would be safer with some cats at least. Plus it would be better for the air just to get some high flows as well. Also with cats you will get a deeper sound then without...

ffrcobra_65 · 10-07-2009, 12:45 AM

Anything you do with anything relating to emissions can be reason for a failed smog test. Sniff test may pass but visual is another story. Say you put headers and you can't prove it is CARB approved, the tester may choose to fail the car on the visual inspection and require you to make correction but either re-installing the stock part or obtain proof the replacement part if CARB approved, or get a CARB approved replacement part.
The intake portion falls under this same scrutiny if the smog tester decides he/she wants to be a prick. I saved my stock piece when I replaced it with a R-F CAI. Catback exhaust are fine because it is after the cats hence, no emissions stuff is altered, just noise.
Having said that, I have yet to meet a smog tester who cares enough to make people jump through hoops to pass a visual. Most of the time, they are too busy admiring the mods and only care the car passes the sniffer test.
But play it safe and at least get a CARB approved cats.

Cops can stop you IF you are spewing excess amount of smog AND/OR your exhaust is too loud. They'll write you a ticket and the only way to remedy it is to see a BAR ref to certify you meet smog and noise requirements. You don't want to go down that road, trust me.
Good luck and have fun!

10-06-2009, 11:44 PM	#1
Jeanius Drives: Blk/Blk 2018 Sierra SLT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Golden State Posts: 2,925	Question for CA guys I am going to be buying some headers, and I was going to go with high flow cats. But ive been thinking, Long tubes, which is what I will get, are not legal here in CA, so what is the point to get high flow cats? I am already breaking the law, is there any difference if I get cats or not? Im not worried about smog, I know people who can take care of me What do you guys think?

10-07-2009, 12:05 AM	#2
linkwpc The punching cat Drives: '10 Camaro SS Black W/Hugger&W/IOI Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 4,048 View My Garage	If you get long tubes and cops decide to check, they can tell you got cats or not. It would be safer with some cats at least. Plus it would be better for the air just to get some high flows as well. Also with cats you will get a deeper sound then without... __________________ My car build (COTW 7/23/12) - - - - - - > CLICK HERE! : http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80725

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10-07-2009, 12:45 AM	#3
ffrcobra_65 Account Suspended Drives: SuperCharged 2SS/RS IOM MN6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: CA Posts: 5,094	Anything you do with anything relating to emissions can be reason for a failed smog test. Sniff test may pass but visual is another story. Say you put headers and you can't prove it is CARB approved, the tester may choose to fail the car on the visual inspection and require you to make correction but either re-installing the stock part or obtain proof the replacement part if CARB approved, or get a CARB approved replacement part. The intake portion falls under this same scrutiny if the smog tester decides he/she wants to be a prick. I saved my stock piece when I replaced it with a R-F CAI. Catback exhaust are fine because it is after the cats hence, no emissions stuff is altered, just noise. Having said that, I have yet to meet a smog tester who cares enough to make people jump through hoops to pass a visual. Most of the time, they are too busy admiring the mods and only care the car passes the sniffer test. But play it safe and at least get a CARB approved cats. Cops can stop you IF you are spewing excess amount of smog AND/OR your exhaust is too loud. They'll write you a ticket and the only way to remedy it is to see a BAR ref to certify you meet smog and noise requirements. You don't want to go down that road, trust me. Good luck and have fun!