Will car pass smog in CA with ported heads?

Jesus · Sep 19, 2004

I have recently moved back to CA from NY and have to replace my Pro Chamber with the stock H-Pipe. I want to replace the lost power with something that is "legal" so I was thinking of putting on some stage 2 ported heads (with a tune). I know I wont pass if I use aftermarket cams with the heads, but will the car pass with just the stage 2 heads? Seems to me a set of ported heads will more than make up for the loss of the Pro Chamber. I expect something around a 30-35 HP increase from the heads, to counter-act something like a 10-15 HP decrease from removing the Chamber.

Any help, thanks

bdcardinal · Sep 19, 2004

well it will pass visual. as long as you get a tune that passes the sniffer you are good to go. you can even use cams as long as your sniffer test is below the limit. something to consider is getting multiple tunes, like streer, race and smog, and have the smog one really conservative so that it will pass the sniffer, jsut be sure to not have the tuner in the car when it goes in. also make sure you turn the rear 02's back on because the car will fail the systems readieness test.

Jesus · Sep 19, 2004

Cool! So, as long as I get a clean tune for the smog test, and I disconnect my MIL eliminators (shouldnt matter any way with the stock H Pipe back on) I should be ok. If I remember correctly bdcardinal you work at a referee station or something like that? what is the verdict on engine swaps in CA. Can I legaly install a 4v engine in my GT? Is it legal for me to run a bullit intake on my 03? If you have the answers to these questions I would be very greatfull.

Thanks.

bdcardinal · Sep 19, 2004

you can legally install a 4v motor in your stang, however it must be 03 or newer, that pretty much limits you to a Mach1/Marauder/Aviator motor or a 03/04 cobra motor. you juse have to have emissions off of those cars, but i think they gt, mach1, and cobra have similar emissions systems. the bullitt intake is fuzzy, technically no because its an older engine part, however if you bitched and moaned enough you might be able to get it by. what part of CA are you moving to? if SB isnt too far out of the way, you could theoretically go to my shop for an inspection. the referee i work for is a totally cool guy, he wont let you slide, but he used to own a 96 mystic and is a real mustang lover. ya just hook up the rear O2's and you should be good.

GinoGT · Sep 19, 2004

Porting the heads shouldn't affect the emissions as far as I know, the cams are what will.

Jesus · Sep 19, 2004

Well, Im not too close to where you are, but Im not all that far either, maybe an hour and a half. I am currently living in Woodland Hills(Los Angeles area), which is about 100 miles south of Santa Barbara. I guess when the time comes I might just take you up on your offer.

Thanks

bdcardinal · Sep 19, 2004

ya when do you have to get it smogged by? the smog test at our station is $30 for the inspection, then $8.25 for the certificate when you pass. if you fail you get one free retest.

Jesus · Sep 19, 2004

I have 60 days to get it smogged. I have to go to Tucson and pick up my stock H Pipe, get it installed, and then drive around with it for a while so the computer can get used to it. I will probably be getting it smogged in about 6 weeks.

Jesus · Sep 19, 2004

I have 60 days to get it smogged. I have to go to Tucson and pick up my stock H Pipe, get it installed, and then drive around with it for a while so the computer can get used to it. I will probably be getting it smogged in about 6 weeks. I guess I should ask this while were on the subject: Am I allowed to have underdrive pulleys and my timing adjuster when I get the car smogged?

Jesus · Sep 19, 2004

sorry about he double post

bdcardinal · Sep 19, 2004

they should be fine, but i will get the final word tomorrow when i go to work.

bdcardinal · Sep 20, 2004

ok, talked with my boss today. the pulleys are fine. but take the timing adjuster off, its not legal in CA.

CaliLifeStyle · Sep 20, 2004

The Bullit intake is street legal. As for the stock H-pipe, just sell your Pro Chamber and stock H-pipe and get a Catted X-pipe. You'll still be street legal. Just say your stock cats were busted.

Jesus · Sep 20, 2004

Well, I have cats on my Pro Chamber, but was under the impression that in CA you wouldnt pass with anything but the stock mid pipe.

Jesus · Sep 20, 2004

Also, what is involved in removing the timing adjuster? Do I need a different crank bolt? What about the ignition triger? I didnt install the TA so I dont really know what will be involved in removing it/setting it back to stock.

Thanks

bdcardinal · Sep 21, 2004

i dont know the procedure, but you have to take it back to stock. the only legal midpipe in CA is the stock one. you cant get away with saying that they were busted. you have to provide proof that there was damage to them that prevented them to be reinstalled. you also have to be out of the federally required 8 year 80,000 miles emissions warrenty. if you bring you car into a ford dealer they are reuired to put the stock cats back on at no charge to you. the only company that makes CARB legal OBD2 cats is magnaflow, and they have the same explination that i just gave on their webpage for the use of their cats.

Jesus · Sep 21, 2004

How do I get Ford to put the stock mid pipe back on? What exactly do I tell them? I would love to avoid paying for any of this if possible. If I could do the work myself I would, but I just dont have the equiptment.

Again, thanks for all your help

bdcardinal · Sep 21, 2004

i dont know how to go about doing it. however if you have a nonstock midpipe on, they probably arent required to give you a free stocker. if you can get a cheap stock one, installing it yourself is incredibly easy.

Jesus · Sep 21, 2004

Well, luckily I still have the stock pipe. Unluckily it is in Tucson AZ right now so it looks like I will be making a little trip ;(

saleen137 · Sep 21, 2004

Seriously i'm not going to bother taking all my stuff off and put it back on when it's time to smog. On the supra it wont pass because of the exhaust. We removed all cats and just have a straight pipe. The saleen is going to get some major work done in a couple of months and i'm going to replace the whole exhaust along with new headers, cams, and new heads. I just went around places and i found a place that will pass me it's going to cost but it'll save me the trouble.

Will car pass smog in CA with ported heads?

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