Yes, I failed that one on my other truck last year.

 

Update: So I finally talked with my local inspector. In order to pass inspection, I need to have whatever emissions parts installed that where originally installed for that year. They do a visual inspection only...no sniff tests, in my area. But, I can move that catalytic converters back, as long as they are still installed in the right order.

So, I can use long tube headers, but I have to keep the smog pump thermactor system installed.

Can anyone recommend a good long tube header with the EGR port already installed? I suppose I will need to get the GT40 heads drilled for the smog ports to make that work.

 

You might do it with shorties, but long tubes will occupy 90% of the same real-estate as the thermactor equipment on the passenger side of the engine.

Don't see any of the pump & it's plumbing on the above photos.

There is a lot that looks like it is on top of a van engine, but a lot is not there.

No idea what is involved in actually involved with drilling the head ports.

 

On edit, you might get the long tubes on with the engine out along with the AIR plumbing installed, but no idea how it would drop in complete.

Just changing the plugs with the AIR in place stock is like building a ship in a bottle.

Not sure how building a Y pipe to mimic the factory cats would work out either.

It's going to move the O2 sensor further out too.