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

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

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

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.