Exhaust upgrades and passing the sniff test

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.

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.

I have the Bassani catted X and passed the visual and sniff tests both times I have had my car smogged in CA.

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.

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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).

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.