...are the Y pipes sold by 5 Star CARB compliant? I'm getting different stories...a smog shop (yes, the one I wrote about before) says you can't tweak the exhaust pipe in CA at all unless the parts have a CARB number.

5 Star says you don't need a CARB number since it's not a muffler, cat, etc.

...don't trust the smog shop.

...not sure I trust 5 Star since they are in SC and wouldn't be expected to keep current on all 50 state emissions laws.

Anyone here in CA know 100% if the Y pipe tweak is legal on a 2000 6.8?

 

As a CA smog tech I would say it is a definite maybe. I pasted a portion of the smog check manual:

Modified
An emission control system or component has been modified if:
 It has been disabled even though it is present and properly connected to the engine
and/or vehicle;
 It has been replaced with a component not marketed by its manufacturer for street use
on the vehicle,
 An emissions related component of the system has been changed such that there is no
capacity for connection with or operation of other emissions control components or
systems.

The issue becomes is the Y-pipe part of the emission system. I think if you had a stickler testing it the argument would be that flow has changed. If there were no emission components farther downstream it wouldn't matter ( Cat back exhaust for example ) but if there is a Cat it starts to matter. I say definite maybe because in my opinion if the state dogs were asked they would say it needs a CARB Executive Order # stating it is legal in CA but is anyone going to have an issue with it when all the components are there in there original location and hooked up as originally designed and certified? Not likely. Basically anything between the first emission component in the air inlet system and the last in the exhaust should be left alone or have a Carb #. Yes that includes our custom tunes but who is testing for that yet?

 

Are the Banks Headers compliant? They come with there own Y pipe as well.

 

The Banks kits have C.A.R.B. numbers listed on the website, so yes. and SPD has to list the y-pipes as off-road only as they have no certification.

 

Wanting a look into the future .. Your talking about a 16 Y/O 3/4ton truck , WHEN will it be exempted . What Numb Nut ( no offence V ) is going to even know the stock configuration & could tell you changed the Y, much less lift the truck to look I've never had to smog, BUT here I'm sure they just stick the sniffer in the tailpipe & it's pass/fail by the reading. Yes they MIGHT look under the hood just to be sure you ain't sport'n a chrome air cleaner or somtin but that's about it..

 

Definitely no offense. That was basically my point. The OP asked for the letter of the law and I would say that the letter says it is a no go, but then you have reality. What make it more difficult to answer is when the state gets involved, well you know. As a smog tech does his thing he is looking for the components that are supposed to be there and that they are hooked up as originally designed. If they are there and look like they should be working as intended no one is going to say anything, probably. It will look like the exhaust was repaired but with the O2's and Cats there nobody is going to go any further.

 

Do they exempt vehicles over a certain age in Cali? I thought that was part of their plan to keep older vehicles off the road out there.

 

It is not a rolling age, it is 1976 and newer get a smog inspection ( except for the first 4 years for change of ownership and 6 years for renewal ). The plan for getting older vehicles off the road is the state will buy vehicles that fail for $1000 or $1500 if income is low enough.