Long Tube Headers & Emissions

96TangerineBossGT · 10-18-2005, 09:55 AM

Why do I hear so much that long tube headers are not emissions legal? Am I missing something or what? So long as you get the short catted X/H pipe you would still be legal right? The cats would still be on there. I mean, when you take a car in for inspection, they just hook it up to the computer. If you are not throwing a code, they aren't going to catch anything anyway unless they look underneath and see no cats/mufflers/etc, so with a short catted x/h, it seems to me that you would be ok. Just looking for a little backup on this. We do have emissions laws here in NC, so I am just looking for confirmation about legality of long tubes before the purchase.

Scott

Blue02GT · 10-18-2005, 06:05 PM

I would think you are correct, as long as you are catted you are legal.

96TangerineBossGT · 10-18-2005, 06:27 PM

see that's what I think too, but just wanted to check around. I have read a lot of posts and stuff where people say that longtubes are not emissions legal, but that just doesn't make sense to me. I plan on some engine work anyway, so not big deal right away, but when the engine work is done, I would like to switch from FRPP shorties to some longtubes if possible. Anyone else have any thoughts?

Scott

csledd · 10-19-2005, 07:50 AM

Emission tests are different everywhere. We don't have them here in Kentucky so I can't tell you first hand if you'd pass or not (then again i'm running LT's with a o/r x-pipe). From what I have heard though you may or may not fail the test with LT's. You will fail for sure if they require a visual inspection. If you live in Cali or NY you'd most likely fail also. I've also heard that you may fail because with LTs it releases more of the exhaust from the engine at a time.. which means there would be more for the cats to burn, which might make you fail if it is unable to burn it all.

10-18-2005, 09:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
96TangerineBossGT Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 457	Long Tube Headers & Emissions Why do I hear so much that long tube headers are not emissions legal? Am I missing something or what? So long as you get the short catted X/H pipe you would still be legal right? The cats would still be on there. I mean, when you take a car in for inspection, they just hook it up to the computer. If you are not throwing a code, they aren't going to catch anything anyway unless they look underneath and see no cats/mufflers/etc, so with a short catted x/h, it seems to me that you would be ok. Just looking for a little backup on this. We do have emissions laws here in NC, so I am just looking for confirmation about legality of long tubes before the purchase. Scott __________________ 96 GT Mods: VT Stage IIs, Stage 2.5 Ported PI heads from New Kid Cylinder Head in Kansas City, PI Intake, BBK Plenum, BBK 75mm Throttlebody, 3.55s, SCT PRP Tune, FRPP Shorties, BBK Off-Road H, Flowmaster Catback, Fidanza Aluminum Flywheel

10-18-2005, 06:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Blue02GT Ex Mini Smack King Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: St. Louis Posts: 868	I would think you are correct, as long as you are catted you are legal. __________________ True Blue 2002 GT Premium 4r70W 1/8 8.205@ 84.780 1/4 12.874@ 107.20 Bolt on's n/a NMRA #7703 Dyno'd at Modular Depot 251 hp. 291 Tq. 4.30's, 3500 Stall converter, Steeda upper & Lowers, Tokico drag struts, M & M frame connectors, P & A valve body, C&L plenum, Accufab 75mm TB, Jet Hot Long tubes, Hooker O/R X, Steeda catback,SCT tune,Steeda pullies.

10-18-2005, 06:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
96TangerineBossGT Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 457	see that's what I think too, but just wanted to check around. I have read a lot of posts and stuff where people say that longtubes are not emissions legal, but that just doesn't make sense to me. I plan on some engine work anyway, so not big deal right away, but when the engine work is done, I would like to switch from FRPP shorties to some longtubes if possible. Anyone else have any thoughts? Scott __________________ 96 GT Mods: VT Stage IIs, Stage 2.5 Ported PI heads from New Kid Cylinder Head in Kansas City, PI Intake, BBK Plenum, BBK 75mm Throttlebody, 3.55s, SCT PRP Tune, FRPP Shorties, BBK Off-Road H, Flowmaster Catback, Fidanza Aluminum Flywheel

10-19-2005, 07:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
csledd DSG!!! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Paducah, KY Posts: 3,074	Emission tests are different everywhere. We don't have them here in Kentucky so I can't tell you first hand if you'd pass or not (then again i'm running LT's with a o/r x-pipe). From what I have heard though you may or may not fail the test with LT's. You will fail for sure if they require a visual inspection. If you live in Cali or NY you'd most likely fail also. I've also heard that you may fail because with LTs it releases more of the exhaust from the engine at a time.. which means there would be more for the cats to burn, which might make you fail if it is unable to burn it all. __________________ CAP DSG Registry 2003 Mustang GT - daily driven check out my cardomain for more info 296 rwhp / 310 rwtq Money spent @ AM: $4623.20 1984 Mustang Hatch - low budget project

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