So I had a quick question to anyone who has experience with the California emissions system:

My truck is equipped with 2 cats from the factory. That is, one dual-in/single-out cat that serves as a y-pipe after my manifolds, and one single-in/single-out inline cat after that. My questions is, can I remove the first cat and install a regular y-pipe and still pass emissions? Do I need BOTH cats?

 

I dont know about other states but I would think that any deviation from the stock emissions system, especially in the People's Republic of California, would equate to an instant fail on the visual inspection. If Ford could meet CA emission standards with just one cat why would they install two? Just a thought.

John
94 F150 XLT S/Cab 351W E4OD 2WD

 

You bring a good point, but in the past when I have gotten vehicles smogged here in CA they did not check for the cats but were only concerned whether or not it passed the sniffer test. I don't see why it would be a problem as long as the it passes the emissions test. And if he wants to yell at me for tampering with the equipment I can plead ignorance saying that it was done before the truck belonged to me. Furthermore, I would be VERY SURPRISED and impressed if the tester happened to know that my model truck is supposed to have TWO catalytic converters. Anyone have experience with this?

 

I passed the sniffer test for 2006 and 2007 in California before moving back to Washington.

My truck had both stock cats removed, FMS shorty headers, and a Bassani Y pipe with their puny little soup can sized cat attached. In 2006, I was visually inspected. Their visual inspection consists of a mirror attached to a pole. At first they saw no cats (the Bassani Cat is a lot less obvious then our stock cats), and got a bit pissy and started asking questions. But I showed them where the new cat was installed.

When asked why the stock cats were removed, I simply told them my exhaust and cat was torn apart and ruined sliding off the road and into a ditch (a bit of a fib ). I then told them an exhaust shop built me a new Y pipe (actually Bassani built that one) and installed a new cat.

The key in California, Chris, is not to tell them you removed the stock cat for performance purposes. Now that is illegal! If the cats or exhaust were damaged or became faulty, you are more than welcome to replace with a worthy aftermarket setup.

If your truck is running well (air:fuel ratios are spot on, o2 sensor working properly) you will pass the sniffer no problem. You should be able to run to a smog tester to try a dry run. Just to see how you do.

Good luck and don't let the big scary state of california emissions scare you!

Mike

 

you could tell em your stock cats were stolen, they are the new hot item up here in WA at least because the theives resell them for the platnum inside. hell they can have mine for free i got zero emissions testing or inspections

 

Mike you never cease to impress me. Thanks for the advice dude, I think I'm gonna swap the first cat for a regular y-pipe and go ahead and put on my magnaflow hi-flow cat for the rear one. Thanks a bunch dude.

 

No problemo! If I were you...I'd consider the Flowtech or Hedman long tubes with 2 1/2" collectors. Great bang for your buck and easy to set up our old emission stuff with.

If you're stuck on the stock replacement Y-pipe, there should be an exhaust shop that could cut and weld you one for pretty cheap.

Good Luck!
Mike

 

I already had my eyes set on some flowtech longtubes, as was being discussed in djdemons thread. In fact, that's what sparked my whole idea about losing the first cat, since it was going to cause more problems when trying to fit those longtubes. I'm trying to decide between these two:

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

What do you think?

 

I'd say go with the FlowTechs. Not anything against the Hookers (hehe), but Conanski (Paul) and I both have those in our trucks. As a matter of fact, I asked him for his advice on which set to run. They installed rather easily (the passenger side is a bit tight but workable) and clearance was not an issue.

I'm sure Paul will chime in and maybe show you the link where he has the exhaust pics uploaded.

Although some may disagree, I'd recommend spending the coin on a copper gasket set. They can be a pain to seal (they compress alot), but once sealed they last forever. I made the mistake of using the gasket that came with my FMS shorty headers, retorqued the studs several times, and the gaskets still failed after 12,000 miles. I should have known...the gaskets headers on my 89 have lasted over 10 years and I used copper then.

I knew at the time I should have used copper gaskets, but I was too impatient to wait for summits delivery. I wanted to get my new 306 up and running that weekend.

Sorry for rambling Chris. But I'd like to push you towards the Flowtechs. Tremendous low end power gains!!!

Call in the order and ask for the collectors with o2 sensor bungs welded in. The exhaust shop that welded up my Y pipe was able to re-use my EGR tube from the previous Bassani Y-pipe.

Good luck and happy hunting!

Mike

 

Can't wait to find out how much the headers help the motor, looking to get some low end power gains myself.
Mike

 

Mike you say to call the order in and have them weld the collectors and o2 bungs, but who do you mean? Summit? They're actually gonna modify the headers for me? As for my egr tube, mine connects at the front of the passenger manifold. Where should I suggest the exhaust shop to weld it in?

-Chris

 

No. They have a part number in stock, that has a collector with an o2 bung already welded. I'm assuming you have only 1 o2 sensor. Also, you can always pick up an o2 bung (glorified name for a 5/8" threaded hole) from summit and the exhaust shop would have no problem welding it in the proper location.

On the same side, but on the collector of your header, instead of the stock y pipe. They should be able to weld it in no problem. If not, the EGR tube is just a 1" OD (I believe...it may be 7/8") steel tube that runs up to your intake.

 

I have two o2 sensors. So you're saying that the collectors are going both have o2 sensors AND the EGR tube coming off of one of them!? Sounds like a mess.

 

Not at all. My passenger side collector has an o2 sensor and an EGR tube.

 

Ooh baybe will you be a fan of long tube headers then!