Whats emissions legal and whats not

As you probably already know all catbacks are legal. Also all shortie headers are legal too. It's the mid-pipe that everyone has a lot of questions about. You can get a x-pipe if you want, all the law requires is that you have at least 2 CATS. You don't have much to worry about you live in Texas , try living in California its a emissions nightmare here. Get long tube or midlength headers. As I said before Texas is really Laxed when it comes to emissions just have 2 cats and you will always pass emissons. Beware every state has different emission standards so if you decide to move, do some research on the state you move to. P.S. don't ever move to California, NY, and NJ if you are worried about emissions laws.

Texas is pretty good right now, I heard something a couple months back where they were trying to get the sniffer test implemented in some of the more populated areas but no updates yet. I'm also interested in this since I live in Texas, I'll probably just go with the SLP X-pipe with race pipes and removable cats to swap in when it's time for inspection. Those in Cali are best sticking with parts with CARB numbers to stay legal

slangstang said:

What exhaust is legal and what is not OK... newb here.. I know that anything labled "off road" is not legal.

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Right on

slangstang said:

What I'm confused about is headers and to some extent, midpipes ( seems like some x's aren't legal even with cats.

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california is the only place where (theoretically, though some state inspection shops dont care and will pass you for a fee anyway) you cannot have LT headers because they require removing the stock H pipe, and putting up an aftermarket X or H pipe, with or without cats.

X's are legal everywhere (except cali, again) so long as they have cat converters on them.

As far as being STREET LEGAL, if you have gutted cats (emptied out cats) it'll save your ass better than straight pipes if a cop decides to look under your car because you're making too much "noise". (and yes, cops do this on occasion)

slangstang said:

From doing lots of searching it looks like LT headers are not emmisions legal anywhere? though not I'm sure. Mid and shorties, well, I don't know.

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Not so. If you have a shorty mid pipe assembly with catylitic converters, it is legal everywhere except Cali. Anywhere else, you've just got to have those cats on to pass emissions/visual inspection.

slangstang said:

I live in tha Dallas TX area. I think here all they do is the on board diagnostis check so as long as I pass that I'm good, right??

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I encourage you to go to your state's website (google it) and read your corresponding county's "driving laws". The book you can pick up at your local DMV. Amazingly, that book has a TON of useful facts in it (I didnt know tipping your cigarette ashes out the window of your car is a 200 dollar fine here in PA, or that it is legal to drive around with people in the back of your pick up truck, so long as you're going under 35 MPH) and it will detail for you exactly what will be done to pass inspection. If for some really bizzarre reason it does not cover that, ask your local shop that does state emissions, just tell em you want to modify your car for performance and you want to keep it legal, i'm sure they'll be more than happy to explain what can and cant be done.

slangstang said:

BTW recently installed the Accufab 75mm TB and plenum on my 03 GT. Very pleased. Car much better above 3k rpm.

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Cool!