I think you should be state specific. The y-pipe mod is illegal here in CA. and in Alaska too as another member found out.

 

OK, you guys are bringing out the paralegal in me.

I'm that other member Antelope V-10 is talking about. I agree that the y-pipe is harmless but a pipe is not just a pipe in the eyes of the law.

I'm only speaking from my Alaska experience but I would bet most states have a similar statute for emissions standards and inspections. Alaska's statutes forbid replacing "emissions related equipment" with non-CARB compliant equipment. The y-pipe is related to emissions and is not CARB compliant. That's why you see the statement on SPD's web site that says the y-pipe is for "off-road use only."

Even though the other 49 states have some emissions standards of their own, none are as restrictive as the CARB's. Your state may even allow the y-pipe mod. States universally allow CARB-compliant mods only because they know if a piece of equipment meets the CARB standard it will meet their own standard. For manufacturers, meeting the CARB's gold standard allows them to guarantee exhaust mods as "50-state legal" without having them tested in all 50 states. In short, just because a mod isn't CARB compliant doesn't mean your state won't allow it.

I chose long-tube headers because they replace the y-pipe, and in Alaska if non-compliant items are found on a visual inspection, the inspection station gets to hold your vehicle until the repairs are done by them, or the vehicle can be towed to a suitable repair shop that can do the work. I could potentially install the y-pipe, get inspected, and then have to turn around and pay a shop to put the OEM y-pipe back on, at a cost probably greater than a set of headers.

I called the CARB regarding headers and y-pipes. In order for any submission to be CARB compliant, they must be evaluated by CARB as sold to the public. No surprise there.

That leaves 3 choices for us...

1) Use CARB compliant shorties that attach to the OEM y-pipe. Still left with the OEM y-pipe.

2) Use CARB compliant long-tube headers where the y-pipe replacement is integrated into the header kit.

3) Check your state's statutes to see if the mod is allowable even without CARB compliance; and then take your chances if they aren't.

Best of luck,
Stew

 

You are not replacing the Y-pipe.
No removing or modifying of any emissions components.
You are merely replacing two sections of the Y-pipe with more
pipe. It has no effect on the emissions of the vehicle.
The tailpipe test will confirm no change in emisions.
The visual will confirm no change in emissions parts.
No, most states do not worry about the Y-pipe, when dealing with
emissions and your inspection. Yes, a few states are weird and do.
If they question you, tell them that it was damaged and repaired.

 

Well, I paid Roush racing 280.00 for Ford Motorsport headers that are stainless. Much more economical than Summit Racing and other places. I have the off-road y-pipe on mine that is coming off in favor of real duel exhaust and twin cats. The truck will still pass emissions and it does with the y-pipe and the headers right now. It just got inspected. The O2 sensors are on each side of the down tube after the header and before the y-pipe, I am removing the y and the factory cat for a pair of high flow cats, two mufflers and tail pipes.

 

I fail to see how the Y-pipe has anything to do emissions because it is not emissions equipment. In the case of the SPD y-pipe it only replaces a small portion of the factory y-pipe and is well away from the O2 sensors and converters.

Honestly CARB means nothing to me, I don't live in CA and shouldn't have to abide by the rules and regs those ***** make up. When you get down to it CARB is more interested in making money than anything. If they were concerned about the enviroment they wouldn't charge rediculous fees and make manufacturers jump through hoops for their mostly worthless seal of approval.

If you are outside Cali and don't have CARB regs and fail the inspection because the SPD Y-pipe is on there take the truck to another inspection station. I know of quite a few shops in my area who pass things some others will not.

 

Correct on most points.
As I said earlier.

Stop worrying so much about the Y-pipe.
It is not as important to the inspection as is headers and such.
CARB certification is not required for exhaust piping.
Unlike headers that must be CARB certified.

When you ask the DOT about certs and what can be modified...
they of course are going to tell you that you cant fiddle with
emission control devices. They are required by law to tell you
that. However, they are also not able to tell you, what you
can modify though.

Some states inspectors will give you a hard time over it and
some will not. For the most part, most states will not bother
you over minor things. If they do, tell them that its a repair
or go somewhere else. You are legally able to do that.

 

I completely agree that the y-pipe is harmless and shouldn't cause an emissions visual test failure. The key phrase in our statute is "emissions or emission related equipment." I don't see how a y-pipe is not emission related. The entire exhaust system is emission related simply because most of the sensors are located somewhere in it.

While I agree with you on the y-pipe, I also think you should know the law in your state and how it applies to your desired mods. As I said earlier, you might find that the y-pipe, among other things, is legal in your state despite of its non-CARB compliance. If it is not legal, then whether one chooses to abide by the law or somehow circumvent it is between one and one's conscience.

OK, no more paralegal talk. Let's enjoy our trucks and keep trying to eek out as much HP as we can...

Stew

 

Headers can be emission related because some have EGR inputs on the header tube. In no way is the SPD Y-pipe emission related as I said before it does nothing to the O2s or cat. SPD simply did not spend the money and jump through the hoops to gain carb certification.

You are correct though that requirements can vary state to state. If AK adopted some CARB regs I can see why it would fail inspection, just because its not CARB approved.

I would like to see the before and after sniffer test readings both with the stock Y and the SPD Y. I suspect they will probablly be identical. Either way your better off with the Thorley headers you bought.

 

ex03ak...
Agreed...You are absolutely correct with your last statement.

 

Here is how I heard it. While the y-pipe mod may not be a direct emission part, Ford certified the truck with the pipe they put on from the factory. Any changes to the pipe means it no longer is a factory certified setup. I don't think saying the pipe got damaged would work as the factory pipe is still available from Ford. Once you fail the inspection, you are now in the computer as failing so going to another station would be a moot point unless you get a shop to pass it. Unlikely as they have undercover cars going to shops to check for frauds. I think you actually have to go to a referee station run by the state to get a pass. Yes it sucks to live in CA but that's the way it is.

 

Ya know...you are right about that.
We left NJ over 30 years ago and they did the sniff and visual then.
My dad had to do something like that at that time with his Plymouth
Volare, since it was fairly modified.
I had forgotten about that, but most states still dont go that far,
even today. As long as you still have the emissions equipment and
its still functional, you can modify anything else surrounding it.

Damn, I guess more people are gonna be moving from CA down
here to TX now.

 

Well said. You heard what I meant. It's the same process in Alaska. I just figured why bother with all that when I can convince the wife to spring for the headers and be done with it. And when my wife gives the thumbs up to buy something, I go get it right away before she changes her mind...if you know what I mean.

Stew