I have a 97 3.8 v6 convertible and i read the v6 exhaust choices and setups. I am thinking of going with the mac long tube headers, mac long tube catalytic h pipe, and the mac cat back sytem that works with the h pipe. Some questions i have are what is the difference between off road h pipe and catalytic h pipe? I heard that the long tube headers dont have much ground clearance so would it be better to go with short tube headers? What setup will pass oregon state emissions? would i be better off to just go with a cat back that works with a y pipe? I hope someone can help clear this up for me. Thanks.

Matt.

 

it depends on whre you live, some places just plug into your car check too see everything is working and you move along others will inspect the car. If your place inspects the car you wont pass with long tubes on it.

An off road h-pipe and an h-pipe with cat's is simple one has catalitic convertors for emissions and the other does not.

 

I want a nice throaty sound and power but in oregon they stick a tube down the exhaust and measure the emissions on a computer so i want to make sure i pass the emissions. So if you had a 97 3.8 v6 what setup would you go with?

Matt

 

oh man i dont know about that. You need someone who has run a v6 with aftermarket h-pipe or x-pipe to chim in if they passed or not. It should pass with a high perfromance catted h-pipe.

 

so if i got a catted h pipe would i get shorty headers to go with it? and then any cat back system made for a gt?




Matt

 

and of the aftermarket H-pipe setups let you ran any GT catback. If your place looks under the car they will fail it if they see long tubes, if they just stick a tube in there, then get the long tubes and catted shorty H-pipe to go with it.

But yes if you get a normal sized h-pipe then you can use the stock or shorty headers with it.

 

damn emissions must suck where you are at. Down south they dont give a #hit what you have on your car, they just flash the lights, honk the horn, check the wipers move and do a quick stop and thats that. so much hassle with emission friendly setups and stuff. Plus it is in the inspection stations best interest to pass them that way they make profit. if a cop wants to get down on all fours and check my headers then screw it.

 

My buddy has a similar setup to that and i think he passed. I'll call him and find out everything for you cause we live in Oregon too.

 

Thanks. that would help alot.