California legal headers???

**KITT#42** · 08-23-2009, 03:29 PM

I need some advice. I want to buy a set of headers for my 2002 Firehawk, but I want California legal headers. Can anyone give me a heads up on a good set that will be legal???

**KahanaReef** · 08-23-2009, 04:30 PM

I've heard you can get by with shorties, but, I've also heard that the gains are minimal.

I'm sure someone will have more info for you. I pretty much gave up on headers until I move out of CA...

**35th-ANV-SS** · 08-23-2009, 04:32 PM

I've read the same thing as KahanaReef states; shorty headers only.

**sutie** · 08-24-2009, 03:09 AM

screw it, run longtubes, just dont get cought.....

**davebowtie** · 08-28-2009, 04:49 PM

Yup, Smog Nazis say short tubes only! FOCK!

**INMY01TA** · 08-28-2009, 06:01 PM

California? Skip the headers.

**KITT#42** · 08-28-2009, 08:51 PM

Ok. Thanks everyone for the response. I guess I'll skip the headers. I wish I could get away with the long tubes.

**karpetcm** · 08-29-2009, 09:59 AM

With shorty headers you can probably get 7-10 rwhp tops but the amount that you have to pay for labor unless your doing it yourself is not worth it. The LT's is the way to go but if your in c.a, its not gonna happen unless you know someone that can pass it for you.

Ive never had any problems with the cops in the past with really loud exhuast, lol i guess in my area they would prefer it since its so easy for them to know if your WOT or not and can pretty much easily pin point were the sound is coming from. In the end it makes there job easier. Mostly people with 4 cylinder cars around my area get loud exhuast tickets, cops for some reason just love to pull those cars over. Either way if you havent done anything else to your car then do the rest of the mods and skip the headers for some its a huge headache

**astyles** · 08-30-2009, 08:23 AM

i dont think you can even do high flow cats in ca anymore

**KITT#42** · 08-30-2009, 11:09 AM

This state sucks & so does our Governor.

**ricefordiner** · 09-02-2009, 10:16 PM

what about mid tube headers those are legal in california?

**ricefordiner** · 09-02-2009, 10:17 PM

the pacesetter ones are like 290 on summit.com bro!

**!!!FAST!!!** · 09-03-2009, 04:36 AM

The only state that said the EPA's standards were too low. So they made C.A.R.B (California Air Resources Board). Shortie headers are the only type your allowed to get. I haven't checked in a while so it may have changed but I highly doubt it, unless it's become more stringent. But not all shorties are 50 state legal. They are required to have the A.I.R. fittings for smog purposes. The very meager HP gains vs. cost and headache probably isn't worth it too most. Then again there are those that will do just about anything for even a small bump in HP and there is nothing wrong with that. If you do go the long tube route just remember that Cali cops are among the most educated in spotting illegal mods and what not. Sometimes you'll get a fix it ticket. But usually you'll have to go to a smog ref picked by them and usually that isn't cheap. Just FYI when ever you buy anything for your intake, emissions, or exhaust make sure it is 50 state legal and make sure you keep the CARB E.O. (executive order) number for that part someplace close incase they give you a hard time about a part.

**KahanaReef** · 09-03-2009, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by !!!FAST!!!

The only state that said the EPA's standards were too low. So they made C.A.R.B (California Air Resources Board). Shortie headers are the only type your allowed to get. I haven't checked in a while so it may have changed but I highly doubt it, unless it's become more stringent. But not all shorties are 50 state legal. They are required to have the A.I.R. fittings for smog purposes. The very meager HP gains vs. cost and headache probably isn't worth it too most. Then again there are those that will do just about anything for even a small bump in HP and there is nothing wrong with that. If you do go the long tube route just remember that Cali cops are among the most educated in spotting illegal mods and what not. Sometimes you'll get a fix it ticket. But usually you'll have to go to a smog ref picked by them and usually that isn't cheap. Just FYI when ever you buy anything for your intake, emissions, or exhaust make sure it is 50 state legal and make sure you keep the CARB E.O. (executive order) number for that part someplace close incase they give you a hard time about a part.

That's good advice.

**!!!FAST!!!** · 09-03-2009, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by KahanaReef

That's good advice.

Yeah, unfortunatley I learned that the hard way. But fortunatley I'm used to learning stuff the hard way.

**INMY01TA** · 09-03-2009, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by ricefordiner

what about mid tube headers those are legal in california?

no.

**KITT#42** · 09-03-2009, 08:41 PM

Thanks for all the feedback you guys. I will explore my options.

**c5z28** · 09-06-2009, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by KITT#42

Thanks for all the feedback you guys. I will explore my options.

Forced induction or cheater cam with heads or nitrous.

**occamaroz** · 09-09-2009, 08:41 AM

I've heard it's illegal to sell or install long tubes in Ca. Shops that install them can be fined something like 10k.

**c5z28** · 09-09-2009, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by occamaroz

I've heard it's illegal to sell or install long tubes in Ca. Shops that install them can be fined something like 10k.

You can do it for off road purposes

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