I am confused as to which exhaust upgrades I can do and still be able to pass the sniff test in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I hear L/T and mid pipes will fail you (and possibly the visual too). That leaves mufflers and/or a cat-back system. Then I read posts that say shorties aren't worth the money, so is there anything beyond the Flowmasters I already have? Please don't reply with "change out your mid pipe before you get tested". That won't happen. Thanks.
Exhaust upgrades and passing the sniff test
- Thread starter 03GTvert
- Start date
4.6_02_Black_GT
Founding Member
I live in NC, and we have 5 counties with emissions testing unfortunately I too live in one of those counties... anyway. The cats are the key to you passing the emissions test. You have to have suffecient catalytic capacity for the amount of exhuast you are putting out. Stock we have 4 cats(small cats). You could go with an X pipe with only two cats(if they were larger). You will NEVER pass emissions without some form of cats on the car. Magnaflow makes a nice X pipe with cats that is supposed to be emissions legal.
Headers...no problem..run anything you like, headers do nothing to effect your emission testing. Problem is will they bolt up to the X pipe you want to use.
Mufflers...no problem they too do nothing for your emissions.
Headers...no problem..run anything you like, headers do nothing to effect your emission testing. Problem is will they bolt up to the X pipe you want to use.
Mufflers...no problem they too do nothing for your emissions.
streetstang03
unModerator
I dont think Texas does the sniffer test, i've never had it happen to me (austin). If they do it there, just get headers and o/r pipe. Register at lonestarstangs.com if u dont post there already, and start a thread in the dallas/ft.worth section. Ask someone to PM you with a shop that is mustang friendly and will pass you. 
downsouthman1
Member
There are 4 counties in Texas that currently do the sniffer test. I used to live in Tarrant county so I know. Bexar (San Antonio), Harris (Houston), Tarrant (Fort Worth), & Dallas (self-explanatory).streetstang03 said:I dont think Texas does the sniffer test, i've never had it happen to me (austin). If they do it there, just get headers and o/r pipe. Register at lonestarstangs.com if u dont post there already, and start a thread in the dallas/ft.worth section. Ask someone to PM you with a shop that is mustang friendly and will pass you.
downsouthman1
Member
My advice is 1 of 2 things after doing the exhaust set-up of your choice. 1) Make friends or 2) Have a mechanic who also does Inspections @ his shop do your exhaust. I must mention that doing #1 & 2 @ the same time reveals best results.
