Smog legal Edelbrock Headers

[Victor96]

I'm here in California and looking for smog legal headers. I was told that in the early 2000's Edelbrock made the only smog legal headers available for Vipers and later discontinued them. They weren't very good from what I was also told, but my only option if I want headers. So does anyone an old set you would be willing to sell?

[Camfab]

Not your only option, Borla also made a smog legal header as well.

[Victor96]

Thanks for info. I did some searching after you mentioned Borla and it turns out Hooker also made some.

[Camfab]

Yup, for a while Viper headers were a big thing. I spoke with Edelbrock about their header a few years ago, and they mentioned the lack of sales being an issue. I never liked how they pinched all the tubes together to form the collector, really a piss poor design in my opinion. About five or six years ago they had a fire sale on the Edelbrock headers. With that said, their are more than a few cars that have made good power with them.

[Vprbite]

What would make their headers legal over say, Belanger?

Also, in AZ, if your car is insured as a collector car, you are emissions exempt. All Vipers qualify as far as the state is concerned. It's worth a check to see if there is something like that in California. For instance, no mileage restrictions apply or anything like that, unless it is a condition of your policy. But the state doesn't care. It's right on our ADEQ website. If your car is insured as a collector car, they tell the MVD and that's it. All Vipers qualify because of their low numbers and a few other qualifications. I know CA is stricter, but it's worth a look.

I am wondering what makes one type of header emissions legal over another though. Makes no sense to me.

Perhaps I should charge 100 bucks a year to register California cars at my house in Arizona? Haha.

[venum4u]

I have M&M headers on my 02 GTS, no problem with smog and i am in Southern, CA. However I kept the manifold covers intact

[smhog]

Is there such a thing as smog legal aftermarket exhaust in California? I thought any change to the OEM exhaust system was an automatic failure in that state.

[RedTanRT/10]

[QUOTE=Vprbite;201234]What would make their headers legal over say, Belanger?

Those old Edlebrock have a CARB stamp on them (They took the time and $'s to get them certified)

Is there such a thing as smog legal aftermarket exhaust in California? I thought any change to the OEM exhaust system was an automatic failure in that state.

Only if there's a CARB stamp. Those Edlebrock headers are the only ones I'm aware of. Belangers and a number of other headers as well as hi-pro cats and mufflers will pass the "sniff" test but can be failed on a visual inspection (no CARB stamp).

[smhog]

Thanks for the info, acrvprc.

[Bugman Jeff]

What would make their headers legal over say, Belanger?

Those old Edlebrock have a CARB stamp on them (They took the time and $'s to get them certified)

Yup, that's really the only difference between smog legal and non-legal headers. Smog legals have been tested and certified as still meeting emissions requirements. Most headers don't get certified because of the cost involved in getting the stamp.

[Camfab]

It's funny, everyone bags on CA for being such a pain in the butt state. After all, the only reason any car in the world came with emissions is because of CA. You can also thank CA for the fact that you have 707 hp factory cars on the road. All those emissions requirements are what forced the hand in developing the power plants we now enjoy. The fact that a part has a CARB exemption on it, means it's been tested just like a factory part and will actually hold up like an OEM part. Yes the process is very expensive and on a low production part makes it a no go as a business opportunity. With all that said, if you've been around the automotive block for any length of time, you've likely spent thousands of dollars on parts that were sold by thieving bastards who lied up and down and sold you a bag of shit. CARB exemption effectively eliminated the majority of that.

In the header example it likely means that materials used to construct the headers are of at least OEM quality, and will not fail in 30k miles like some of the inferior products sold here. Your also not going to get a check engine light that you have to defeat. Just say'n......

[trappster]

It's funny, everyone bags on CA for being such a pain in the butt state. After all, the only reason any car in the world came with emissions is because of CA. You can also thank CA for the fact that you have 707 hp factory cars on the road. All those emissions requirements are what forced the hand in developing the power plants we now enjoy. The fact that a part has a CARB exemption on it, means it's been tested just like a factory part and will actually hold up like an OEM part. Yes the process is very expensive and on a low production part makes it a no go as a business opportunity. With all that said, if you've been around the automotive block for any length of time, you've likely spent thousands of dollars on parts that were sold by thieving bastards who lied up and down and sold you a bag of shit. CARB exemption effectively eliminated the majority of that.

In the header example it likely means that materials used to construct the headers are of at least OEM quality, and will not fail in 30k miles like some of the inferior products sold here. Your also not going to get a check engine light that you have to defeat. Just say'n......

All CARB EO numbers certify is that the specific part does not increase the emissions of the vehicle over the OEM part that it replaces. It has zero to do with the quality of the new part. The Edlebrock headers are well known to commonly leak at the joint.

[Coloviper]

Well if it helps, I did the research and found that only the Edelbrock Headers were CARB legal. I lucked out 3 years ago as an old VCA member had a new set in the box and I bought them for $900. Lucked out as he had the optional copper gaskets which helped tremendously with the leaking issue, which after two years on my car, is a non issue. Aside from the EO process, Edelbrock did not change the location of the O2 sensor, kept it in the collector as well did not affect the factory cats. I have been extreme happy with them, they were Ceramic Coated from Edelbrock as well. Edelbrocks are like shorty headers while many others are equal length tubes or long tube. It is a Tubular Exhaust System (TES).

Everyone says this and that about Belangers, hey I took the major plunge years ago on my 06'. Will never buy another Bellanger product again. With the 02 sensor location in only one exhaust pipe not the collector, it will never pass visual.

You might want the post a WTB ad on the Viper Alley as you might have luck. Hope it helps!

[Camfab]

If the headers leak at the joint, then they had a manufacturing issue. The parts are in fact tested for durability as they have to survive the same standards that the OEM's are required to pass. A leaking part would fail CARB requirements as it could potentially introduce oxygen into the system, giving a false reading to the oxygen sensor. Clearly something went south between certification and manufacturing if your statement of incidence is correct.
Coloviper the old Borla headers were also CARB legal. I have the EO number if you'd like to see it.

[Camfab]

Here you go.......

D-276-10.pdf

Can someone confirm that you can open this PDF?

[Camfab]

For anyone that's interested, this is the CARB database where you can look up any and all parts meeting CARB exemptions

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermk...es/amquery.php

[Vprbite]

We don't do visual here. Just sniff test on pre-OBD2 cars (which are quickly becoming exempt due to age) or on OBD 2 it just plugs in. Of course, the mopar computer will never pass because it lacks rear 02 sensors. What this also means though is that out here, there is no "buddy program" at certain locations, as people who recently move here often ask. It's all computer controlled and you pass or you don't. Sounds like in CA though some people have had luck at certain locations leaving on the factory manifold shields. As rare as vipers are, will the place even know that the headers aren't stock? Especially with factory manifold shields on there? I would think how would they even see it?

[Camfab]

We don't do visual here. Just sniff test on pre-OBD2 cars (which are quickly becoming exempt due to age) or on OBD 2 it just plugs in. Of course, the mopar computer will never pass because it lacks rear 02 sensors. What this also means though is that out here, there is no "buddy program" at certain locations, as people who recently move here often ask. It's all computer controlled and you pass or you don't. Sounds like in CA though some people have had luck at certain locations leaving on the factory manifold shields. As rare as vipers are, will the place even know that the headers aren't stock? Especially with factory manifold shields on there? I would think how would they even see it?

On all cars up to '99 they do a visual and put your car on the dyno and sniff it. 2000 up is plug and go. It takes maybe 5 min. Your right about the OEM shields, if they are on and everything else looks stock you'll likely pass if you have no other issues.

[Coloviper]

Here you go.......

D-276-10.pdf

Can someone confirm that you can open this PDF?

Thanks Camfab, I was not aware Borla had EO Headers. Good to know. Anyway, the factory Edelbrock gaskets sucked, the upgraded ones were way better. I have had zero issues with my set up since install.