CA Smog, to add LT's or not. Seeking advice

[SJx408]

I'm well aware of the other threads out there about the dreaded CA smog regulations and the perils automotive enthusiasts face in this god forsaken state. Lol. But still I am caught, to add LT's or not. That is, my '96 Z has a smog test coming soon, not the smog check, but a STAR station Test Only. I'm sure that means that this class of vehicle labeled as a sports car has its own set of rules it has to abide by. Great, with a new set of plugs and wires all ignition issues are in check, new fuel filter etc etc. things look pretty good. 141k on the clock and stock manifolds with cats I should pass smog. That's the plan at least. Pass smog pay for tags and be on my way for 2 more years. Well that leaves a little more to be desired. I'm a college kid working two jobs 50+ hours and I just want to have a little more fun in my Camaro. It turns heads even with a near factory exterior appearance, cleaner than-it-should-be Arctic White paint, and factory chrome salad shooters. I have done a few mods over the 2 years that I have had it, suspension work mainly. So it has a nice ride height (idk why I hate the word STANCE) and clean paint, decent exhaust (LM1). I really would like to know how you other CALI guys do it, do you have smog connections that give you the go ahead for $300 or so? I have considered this option but to my knowledge this is no longer an option as CA smog regulations have tightened up and become more stringent. State officials have wised up to these loopholes and are now requiring special STAR SMOG station testing for certain vehicles. So that's out, what other options? Just take off LT's every 2 years when smog time comes round? Just keep em on and hope the Tech don't know the difference for visual inspection? I mean if you have a set of LT's keep all the smog fittings like EGR, AIR, and keep the Cats, can it pass if the tune is right? I mean passing the sniffer test should be the only thing that matters. I remember reading a thread about a Bolt on LT1 with a good tune passing smog, dunno where the location was though, my guess is that wasn't CALI. Anyways thanks in advance for the suggestions. On a side note I knida jumped the gun and bought a set of LT's and 2.5" X-Pipe a few months ago :laugh: but im considering my options before I begin the project.

[Catmaigne]

I never understood how a state with so much custom culture and life could have the most stringent laws when it comes to modifying cars. It doesn't make any sense.

Yanking long tubes out of the car every 2 years sounds like a pain in the ass. Just putting them in sucks. You could make your life easier with mids which I guess is better than nothing...

[Madman337]

The only way to get around the smog test thing is to take them on and off, Star testing will be the only option for us in a few more years because this rotton state figured out that they were losing money letting private shops do smog testing and so they are tightening up the requirements and adding required expensive equipment to the point the small shops wont be able to keep up.
I got lucky in that a very good friend lives up in lake county and there is no smog required every other year and thats where the Camaro and the Corvette are registered at now and after I smog my truck its getting changed to up there too.

[94Blackbird]

another hurdle you may run into, and madman can probably answer this one, but I was under the impression that the cats had to remain in the exact factory location in CA as well? I know a couple of guys who had their cars inspected on the side of the road by staties looking for emissions equipment violations in other parts of the country.

[popo8]

I never understood how a state with so much custom culture and life could have the most stringent laws when it comes to modifying cars. It doesn't make any sense.

Yanking long tubes out of the car every 2 years sounds like a pain in the ass. Just putting them in sucks. You could make your life easier with mids which I guess is better than nothing...

Its because some of the worlds worst quality air is found in Cali...

LTXtech.com is my drug.

[SJx408]

Dang, I think as madman stated taking em off and on every 2 years may be the only option. Cali smog laws are the worst. Makes me want to move just so I don't have to deal with this crap. But at the same time im thinking...how in the hell are these guys running fourth gens and other modern muscle cars in cali with big ass cams and LT's. Take a look at the BayAreaRacing channel on youtube or any of the various racing sites, all of em feature cars that belong on the strip that are being trailered to the streets to race. Obviously its illegal street racing that takes place, but don't they have to have the cars registered to even be on the streets period? I have seen a handful that are "daily drivers" or that see driving time in broad daylight where they would be subject to California Highway Patrol (CHP are a bunch of a**holes) and other city PD's for idk "excessive noise". I mean come on, if I get pulled for having an LM1 with a cutout on stock manifolds, shouldn't the guy with a 02 SS running a big solid roller, LT's 3 inch TD's dumped through an x pipe with bigs n littles get pulled over too. I mean idk how these guys do it. That's here in the Cities too(Urban areas), San Jose, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Oakland, Fremont, Hayward. I can understand that the guys in Soledad and Salinas (Rural areas) can get away with it. But im stumped on that note. I guess 6 hours and a couple 6 packs every two years will be alright when it comes to having a little more umph from this ol girl.

[Madman337]

My brother kept getting hasseled about his 69 Camaro with a 468 and 3" exhaust dumped befor the rear axle until he took it to be sound tested and found out it was slightly quieter than a stock Viper and that is how he beat several tickets and he actually started showing officers his certification and they would let him go. The sound thing is up to the individual officers observation and interpretation of the law and there is not equipment issued for individual tests and thats how he beat them.
The LTs are a result of not being able to "relocate" the cat or cats and even if you go from 1 cat to 2 cats then it is no longer legal because they have been "relocated' ect, dumb as shit for sure but then again that is the whole mindset for this state. Welcome to liberal government at its finest.
I would be the first guy to say "hey lets have clean air and water" but the way they go about it is ass backward. I would rather have not just 1 like came stock on my car but 2 highflow cats on my car because its better for the air and a whole lot less stinky but that thats not legit because of draconian laws on the books right now.

[Spartan7]

When I did it, I knew a guy. He didn't charge extra, he just didn't care if LT's were in there, provided all other smog gear was there. I had Kooks w/ all smog hookups and a catted y-pipe. It passed the sniffer, even with a cam. But that was a few years ago, I've since moved out of the state.

CA is the breeding ground for liberal laws because of money. That state is so broke that they need ways to leech money off the populace, and smog is a good way to build revenue. If you want some more power, I would throw a small cam in there and leave the stock manifolds on, just to avoid more headaches. You can pass the sniffer with something small no problem. I was able to pass with a 222/230 112 LSA cam on a crappy mail order tune.

[Madman337]

When I did it, I knew a guy. He didn't charge extra, he just didn't care if LT's were in there, provided all other smog gear was there. I had Kooks w/ all smog hookups and a catted y-pipe. It passed the sniffer, even with a cam. But that was a few years ago, I've since moved out of the state.

CA is the breeding ground for liberal laws because of money. That state is so broke that they need ways to leech money off the populace, and smog is a good way to build revenue. If you want some more power, I would throw a small cam in there and leave the stock manifolds on, just to avoid more headaches. You can pass the sniffer with something small no problem. I was able to pass with a 222/230 112 LSA cam on a crappy mail order tune.

This is the case for sure in this state because if you were to add 2 high flows cats where was once just one then I am sure they would work better but the reality is that they dont really care about clean air just clean money!

[McCauleyWB]

I've got smog legal headers and a 220/230 112 LSA cam. Technically, there shouldn't be an issue passing. Word of warning since you mentioned a cutout, I've had shops fail me on visual inspection alone. The cat was in the stock location, everything else was completely legal, I had removed the motor and capped the cutout...and they still failed me. Lame. I suppose it is all where you go though.

[SJx408]

Dang. Thanks for the advice fellas. So basically the best bet is to keep all smog equipment which I plan on doing. LT's would pass the sniffer maybe with a decent tune...but fail the visual depending on where I go. I will just assume 99.9% will fail me for the visual If I had LT's even if I retained cats + all other smog equipment. Another option is to possibly get a small cam. Doesn't LE do a custom grind to those specs. Basically a smog legal grind he does for Cali folk? I have to reconsider my options here. I do want to go with the x pipe set up still maybe just scratch the LT's. But that's another issue if I don't have the exhaust run all the way back. I'm sure a dumped exhaust would also warrant a failed visual. Damn you Cali...

Guess I need a new parts list. LT's every two years does sound like a pain in the ass. And no one makes mids anymore. I kept hearing that AS&M's mids were the best or closest to LT's in performance and design..MAC would be good too but who knows where to find these anymore. Just used ones I guess. Hmm plus I would need some smog legal cats with a CARB number im sure. I don't even think high flows will cut it. Decisions decisions. I appreciate all the help. Let me put this out there. All I really want is a fun street toy/weekend warrior say close to 330rwhp. I need some parts to get me there while remaining smog friendly. That's bolt ons a small cam and a tune. Bolt ons being my suspension which is almost done need lca's plus relos and a phb. That's to get it to hook. And the exhaust situation to figure out what headers brand cats brand etc. Ditch the 2.5" x pipe with powersticks (which I think would sound pretty damm good) for a catback or run the x anyways with proper clearance and to the back. Ls1 type lid...plus some other stuff. Idk sorry for the long post lol im about to head to work so i wanted to get everything out now so hopefully I get some responses to most of my questions by the end of the day. Can't be on my phone while trying to sell furniture lol thanks guys!


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[englundjd]

BBK headers are smog legal as I recall...

[McCauleyWB]

Pacesetter, Edelbrock and BBK also make CA legal headers that are considered mids. Two of those are still found readily. As for the cats, you don't have much choice there either. Magnaflow makes a universal 50 state cat as well as a more expensive option with the whole cat/y-pipe assembly. The cost in general is outrageous for a 50 state cat compared to every other option.

[SJx408]

I was under the assumption that those smog legal headers were "shorties" more so than "mids" but I could be wrong. The age old battle LT's vs Mids has been discussed time and time again. I have read up on plenty of threads and I will be okay goin with a mid. Cats like McCauley said are gonna be pretty limited. I have to read into the magnaflow cats to see what the 50 state legal headers are all about. Maybe you get a carb sticker like K&N and other various aftermarket part manufacturers give in order to run the part. I'm gonna read up on the smog regulations and really get polished up on the facts. Ultimately I want to have a setup that gives moderate power N/A no bottles or FI. College kid with 2 jobs and a budget here lol. Its gotta be pretty reliable I do enjoy cruising with the car club out to the valley or up north to the city SF etc. But this wont be a daily driver anymore. My 93 Toyota pickup is the new daily. I feel like the smog legal cam plus the bolt ons x pipe for exhaust should do the trick. And a decent tune. That's up for debate tho. Idk where to go in that area. I have a few things to look into

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[SJx408]

Thank you guys for the feedback thus far!

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[McCauleyWB]

I'm basically in the same boat. My Z is no longer a DD so I am pushing the limits of smog legality more. If you were looking at a mail order tune, these are the ones to consider:
sweet-94z28 (LTXtech), Solomon (lt1pcmtuning), Bryan Herter (pcmforless), Moe Bailey (MoeHorsepower), Ed Wright (Fastchip) and MadTuner.

[SJx408]

Alright. So I guess im gonna go with a new exhaust setup which was primarily what this thread was about. So i can retain smog legality and i dont have to worry about changing my exhaust every two years and also so i dont have to worry about getting harassed by da Popo. I will focus on a small build and refresh of my old LT1 with a new smog legal cam probably a custom grind from LE and stick to bolt ons. I dont think my budget will allow for head work. I will see. But a stout 330-350rwhp cam only LT1 car sounds pretty fun. Plus it will be smog legal. Most guys around here put LT's on use em for two years and instead of pullin em off just sell the whole car when it comes time to smog. Then someone else gets to deal with the headache.


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[SJx408]

Hope I can give my buddy a good run for his money. Ls1 M6 Formula with just a SLP Lid vs a soon to be full bolt on LT1. Either way LTx with an xpipe dumped should sound godly. Lol I just want to slap on my new exhaust.

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[Madman337]

Hope I can give my buddy a good run for his money. Ls1 M6 Formula with just a SLP Lid vs a soon to be full bolt on LT1. Either way LTx with an xpipe dumped should sound godly. Lol I just want to slap on my new exhaust.

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Your friend might be in for quite a surprise!
Post up what happens and I for one look forward to hearing all about it.

[SJx408]

Most definitely I will. It may not happen until mid summer. But it should be fun either way. The Z may see a trip to Sonoma raceway as well. I'll have to wait and see. LTx FTW

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[Madman337]

If you ever get over to Vallejo or Walnut creek (where I work) let me know cause I would love to see your car.

[SJx408]

Will do man! Id love to have a LTx West Coast meet or something! Maybe even just a norcal/bay area meet. But i will definitely let you know. I freequent the east bay as my brother and his LSx crew stays in tracy and stockton. Maybe one day we can make a trip up as a group. We will see.


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[Madman337]

Will do man! Id love to have a LTx West Coast meet or something! Maybe even just a norcal/bay area meet. But i will definitely let you know. I freequent the east bay as my brother and his LSx crew stays in tracy and stockton. Maybe one day we can make a trip up as a group. We will see.


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That would be great because we are slowly taking the LTX world over hehehe.