Headers Installed

[npritchard777]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

How does CA or other states account for the need to replace Cats? No replacements, so there has to be a rule or way to address this. Is there not an exemption..all else fails get a damn PO Box in IA, SD or some place.

I was looking through some old posts and saw TomC (tccrab) had done his homework. I sent him a private message and this is what he sent back. Sounds like I might as well give it a shot;

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Nate:

Howdy!
It's a legal loophole that allows us to have non-CARB approved aftermarket exhaust headers on '90-92 ZR1's only.
Here's how it goes:
First, take the car down to a SMOG shop and have them fail it for the bad Cat. Make sure they document that the Cat is bad and needs replaced.
Get the smog shop to set help you set an appointment for a referee inspection.
Then go down to your local Chevy shop and have them search for a replacement exhaust header/cat.
They will tell you that there are none, haven't been any for years.
Have the parts manager write you a note stating this.
Order up a set of headers, but be sure to have the air injection hoses and pipes installed on them. Buy a pair of Cats that are CARB approved (there are quite a selection)
Take the headers and the cats down to the referee, explain to them that the old cat has failed and there are NO OEM replacements available anywhere.
Remind the referee that you know that you can't legally buy a used cat here in CA so that means you have to go with aftermarket equipment.
No headers for a ZR1 were ever CARB approved, so they will have to accept whatever headers you show them as long as they have all the correct SMOG hoses.
The referee will write you an exemption.

You can of course buy a set of good used stock manifolds and cats from a fellow forum member and install them yourself. It's not exactly legal, but nobody but you would ever know that you illegally bought a used catalytic converter and installed it on your car.
This is actually the cheapest way to go, there's a lot of guys who have headers on their cars in places where the SMOG nazi's haven't taken over.
I've seen them sell for as little as a couple of hundred dollars for the pair.

Good luck!!

TomC
"Crabs" __________________
TomC
'90ZR1 #792
Honorary Pirate


I can break every speed law in the country going into 2nd gear.
There's 4 gears after that.

[ittlfly]

Originally Posted by npritchard777

I was looking through some old posts and saw TomC (tccrab) had done his homework. I sent him a private message and this is what he sent back. Sounds like I might as well give it a shot;

-------------------------------------------------

Nate:

Howdy!
It's a legal loophole that allows us to have non-CARB approved aftermarket exhaust headers on '90-92 ZR1's only.
Here's how it goes:
First, take the car down to a SMOG shop and have them fail it for the bad Cat. Make sure they document that the Cat is bad and needs replaced.
Get the smog shop to set help you set an appointment for a referee inspection.
Then go down to your local Chevy shop and have them search for a replacement exhaust header/cat.
They will tell you that there are none, haven't been any for years.
Have the parts manager write you a note stating this.
Order up a set of headers, but be sure to have the air injection hoses and pipes installed on them. Buy a pair of Cats that are CARB approved (there are quite a selection)
Take the headers and the cats down to the referee, explain to them that the old cat has failed and there are NO OEM replacements available anywhere.
Remind the referee that you know that you can't legally buy a used cat here in CA so that means you have to go with aftermarket equipment.
No headers for a ZR1 were ever CARB approved, so they will have to accept whatever headers you show them as long as they have all the correct SMOG hoses.
The referee will write you an exemption.

You can of course buy a set of good used stock manifolds and cats from a fellow forum member and install them yourself. It's not exactly legal, but nobody but you would ever know that you illegally bought a used catalytic converter and installed it on your car.
This is actually the cheapest way to go, there's a lot of guys who have headers on their cars in places where the SMOG nazi's haven't taken over.
I've seen them sell for as little as a couple of hundred dollars for the pair.

Good luck!!

TomC
"Crabs" __________________
TomC
'90ZR1 #792
Honorary Pirate


I can break every speed law in the country going into 2nd gear.
There's 4 gears after that.

What Tom says is the truth on 90-92's only due to the OEM configuration of the exhaust manifold and cat. If you try to sneak headers by the inspector you are taking your chances. Even if the car passes emissions, they will flunk it on the visual. Some guys have gotten by the visual because our cars do ''show off'' the headers and are some what hidden by inner fender well etc. You just have to lucky.

The only legal header is Cal is a ''shorty'' with a CARB # affixed. Gotta just love this GD state.