This is topic California Smog legal X or H pipe in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by shawv (Member # 1250) on :
 
I have a 2002 4.6L Mustang GT. I live in Northern California, (Bay Area).

I already have the MagnaPack Catback system, and I want to get an X or H pipe with cats. (if it will pass smog)

If it won't pass sniffer or visual, and I have to drop the X pipe with cats out and replace it with the stock H pipe to get it to pass. I will get an off road Bassani, MagnaFlow, or BBK X or H pipe.

Can I get a legal H or X pipe in CA? If so what brand(s)?

If I can't, what is the best brand for performance and value in an X or H pipe?

Or, would it be better to keep the stock H pipe in and do some other mod? ie: gears etc.
 

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Posted by HungryHippo (Member # 537) on :
 
you'll pass no problem with an aftermarket crossover pipe with cats... if you're somewhat stock at least
 

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Posted by sic91sleeper (Member # 779) on :
 
Bassani and BBK are always good reliable pipes. I would go with a high flow X pipe. They will pass smog.
 

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Posted by phildog (Member # 1214) on :
 
I used a Bassani X-pipe with cats and passed smog fine. Because I put a 5.0 in a car which was originally a 2.3 turbo, the smog referee went over the thing with a fine toothed comb, and the Bassani passed both the visual and tail pipe. The Bassani stuff fits very well too.
 

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Posted by TORQUEPIMP (Member # 386) on :
 
you look at it like this. there are two types of inspections. visual and the meter shit. it may very well pass the meter but on visual with cats you will pass an off road you will not. UNLESS you got the hook up.
 

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Posted by O.G. Cobra (Member # 747) on :
 
i think it also depends on the inspector. technically, you are not supposed to replace a functioning smog device. i called bassani one time to get the carb number for the x-pipe with cats and they said there is none and told me the above. i have been nervous about the smog test ever since (thus my registration has been expired since 7-01). one of these days i'll take it to a smog station. last time one inspector tripped off of my moroso cold air and wouldn't pass it. next one did.
 

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Posted by WingnuT (Member # 430) on :
 
There are no smog legal X or H pipes w/cats in CA. The sniff test may pass, but unless you replace the pipe with one that has the same # of cats as the original, it will not pass the visual test. You may get lucky with an ignorant inspector, but that is up to you.

IE: 96-98 stangs have 6 CATS!!!
99-up I believe only have 4 cats.

Either way, the aftermarket pipes only have 2 cats. No pass.

I just said screw it and put an O/R X on mine. Since it wouldn't be legal anyway. Hope that this helps.
 

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Posted by saleen00925 (Member # 1302) on :
 
HERE IS THE DEAL, high flow cats will not pass smog if the attendant counts the # of cats, mustangs come with 4 and bassani and every high flow system I know of comes with 2. They will past the emissions test but not the visual test if it is done well. My advice.....if they start looking funny under the car take it somewhere else..only a few places actually check and then check the factory #. Also my advice.....keep your old pipes....they really aren't that hard to swap out to gurantee to pass smog..that way you can even get an off-road pipe and just switch them for smog. That is unless you get pulled over by a asshole cop and he looks under your car and doesn't see any cats..but that's unlikely and another story......late
 

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Posted by y2kgt01 (Member # 1257) on :
 
heres the real way to go........ get a bassani high flow x pipe, and have 2 additional dummy cats, like old gutted ones welded to the outside, that way it wont interfear with exhaust flow an dit will still pass the visual test
 

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Posted by sic91sleeper (Member # 779) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by saleen00925:
HERE IS THE DEAL, high flow cats will not pass smog if the attendant counts the # of cats, mustangs come with 4 and bassani and every high flow system I know of comes with 2. They will past the emissions test but not the visual test if it is done well. My advice.....if they start looking funny under the car take it somewhere else..only a few places actually check and then check the factory #. Also my advice.....keep your old pipes....they really aren't that hard to swap out to gurantee to pass smog..that way you can even get an off-road pipe and just switch them for smog. That is unless you get pulled over by a asshole cop and he looks under your car and doesn't see any cats..but that's unlikely and another story......late

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quote:

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Originally posted by saleen00925:
HERE IS THE DEAL, high flow cats will not pass smog if the attendant counts the # of cats, mustangs come with 4 and bassani and every high flow system I know of comes with 2. They will past the emissions test but not the visual test if it is done well. My advice.....if they start looking funny under the car take it somewhere else..only a few places actually check and then check the factory #. Also my advice.....keep your old pipes....they really aren't that hard to swap out to gurantee to pass smog..that way you can even get an off-road pipe and just switch them for smog. That is unless you get pulled over by a asshole cop and he looks under your car and doesn't see any cats..but that's unlikely and another story......late

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All mustangs do not come with 4. 87-93's come with four and 94-w/e come with six but the cobras and saleens come with 4 as well. Just a lil bit of info.
 

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Posted by saleen00925 (Member # 1302) on :
 
sorry I didn't clarify I meant all new stock mustangs, like there was no difference depending on state or whatever.....I realize that some 98's and lower had 6 ect. sorry for the misunderstanding
 

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Posted by sic91sleeper (Member # 779) on :
 
Its cool just clearfying so there is no confusion.
 

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