Emission legal headers?

dubbsix · May 17, 2007

Are there emission legal headers for a 89LX Fox?

Im not quite sure how the smog pump stuff is plumbed.

Daggar · May 17, 2007

Pretty much any of the shorty headers are emissions legal. You'll need to retain your stock H-pipe (and 4 catalytic converters) to be that way though. The smog pump is plumbed into the H-pipe, not the headers.

dubbsix · May 17, 2007

Does anyone have a schematic on how all this connects together? I am clueless. So if i replace the H pipe with a cat'd unit with 2 cats and a short header..

Will everything connect together fine? I am not worried about the visual inspection.

Paul Perreca · May 17, 2007

just lay under the car, right passed where the headers meet the H-pipe, there are two plugs, like electrical plugs, thats where your emission readings come from, you really don't need to know how it's plumbed to replace the headers - you do need small ass hands tho - and some carefully bent wrenches lol

Paul Perreca · May 17, 2007

and yes, everything will fit fine, i think i had trouble getting my plugs undone, but that was a really old H pipe - the 2 cat's are high performance cats, but they make them so people can make their cars sound better and perform better, while still performing well on the emissions tests

Daggar · May 17, 2007

If you live in a state where they do a visual inspection, don't even bother with high performance cats. They'll be looking for 4 cats on your Fox.

If you live in a state that only cares about the sniffer check, then you'll likely be better off since the newer free flowing cats usually do a better job than the OEM pieces anyway.

dubbsix · May 17, 2007

Good point. I live in CA and we all know how CA is about smog. I guess i could smog it, then swap H pipes.. just make sure i keep the old one

Daggar · May 17, 2007

dubbsix said:
Good point. I live in CA and we all know how CA is about smog. I guess i could smog it, then swap H pipes.. just make sure i keep the old one

That's what most folks do. Find yourself a good offroad H-Pipe then go to the junkyard and swipe the H off of another car. Have the converter heat shields welded on to your off-road pipe (just incase deputy dawg pulls you over and decides to look). Swap em out for emissions day (30 minute job at most).

Maryland Stang · May 18, 2007

Daggar said:
If you live in a state where they do a visual inspection, don't even bother with high performance cats. They'll be looking for 4 cats on your Fox.

That is something that a person would really need to ask the local inspector about. Mine did pass visual with a 2 cat BBK H-pipe.

Daggar · May 18, 2007

Try getting emissions in CA

The saving grace is that you're supposed to be able to run an aftermarket cat when OEM replacements are not available. Now I konw that there's an aftermarket company that sells OEM Mustang H-pipes but it's still considered aftermarket. That might be your "out" for running a two cat setup but you'll def have to check before you plop down any money. I left CA before the rule went into effect and haven't heard from anyone else about this.

dubbsix · May 18, 2007

Yea i will definitely keep my stock 4 cat h pipe. I've had friends that have passed smog with 2 cat aftermarket h pipes.

So to be clear.. there isnt any smog piping that connects to the header correct?

Daggar · May 18, 2007

dubbsix said:
Yea i will definitely keep my stock 4 cat h pipe. I've had friends that have passed smog with 2 cat aftermarket h pipes.

So to be clear.. there isnt any smog piping that connects to the header correct?

Correct

dubbsix · May 18, 2007

oh?! Okay. I think im good now. Thanks all.

stang&2Birds · May 18, 2007

Note: You REALLY REALLY **MUST** state that you need CARB legal stuff when talking about ANY mod.

So, disregard all of the above advice if you MUST have CARB legal mods.
BTW: Here is a big DUH - go to the CARB web site and SEARCH! If it's not listed, then guess what, it's NOT smog legal for your car - it's that simple!

I could go on and on why you may not find an aftermarket CARB legal header. But guess what, it does not matter! Unless you get some stupid emissions tester (yes, many exist), then your huge taking a chance with ANY non CARB legal mod.

Your choice.
And, put CA in for your location!!!!!!!!

BTW: If you bitch about my post, guess what that says about you getting real, correct, and helpful advice. And, consider in the future if you want real advice or incorrect advice. Keep CA out from your location, ask about mods, and you'll get a ton of incorrect advice for *your* needs.

dubbsix · May 18, 2007

Dude, i dont care about your rant.

Summit sells CARB compliant headers from hedman for 165 bucks. The question was asked to figure out how the smog crap is run on the mustang.

stang&2Birds · May 18, 2007

Sorry, that is not what you asked:

dubbsix said:
Are there emission legal headers for a 89LX Fox?

Why ask if you already know the answer?

dubbsix said:
Im not quite sure how the smog pump stuff is plumbed.

Get a Ford service manual and a chiltons. You BIG question is "what's involved in swapping headers on a Fox!!"

For a Stang, there are a number of things of things consider. For one, get GOOD gaskets! Also, Stage 8 locking header bolts are a strong suggestion. Also, remove the AIR bypass junk when you do the R&R.

And, make SURE you have the CARB number! Many people have gotten screwed with header swaps in CA! Also, double check the CARB site!!

red95gtconvert · May 18, 2007

stang&2birds, you seem a little high strung in your posts, take it easy don't give yourself a stroke or a heart attack

strtrcr50 · May 18, 2007

probally because he hasn't checked/set his TPS voltage recently. j/k

red95gtconvert · May 18, 2007

^werd

v8only · May 18, 2007

you're not going to get hassled without going for a non carb exempt header in cali. though it's NICE to have the carb exemption, I've never had an issue, nor my bro, nor my friends. Cali gets a horrible rep, and is not nearly as strict as anyone makes it to be. "most" techs here don't give a damn about the visual. my buddy rolled right in with an 85gt and a 86+ dual exhaust conversion, which is "technically" not legal. not a single problem, they passed him right on through.

as for the H pipe, magnaflow makes the ONLY carb exempt and legal mid pipe, it's their 2 catted x pipe, and comes with a carb exemption #, so you're completely fine to swap out to that. I'm currently saving my money for that, and my bro already has one on his car, sounds quite wicked too!

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