I'm thinking about putting in headers in my truck (1989 F150 AOD 4wd 5.0 EFI). The exhaust manifold studs are so rusty that I can't bolt downpipes to them, so they'll have to come out. If I do get headers I want long tubes and have decided on getting these.

Hooker Headers 6907HKR - Hooker Competition Headers - Overview - SummitRacing.com

The only problem is that in my county in Virginia, the truck must pass an emissions test, and I'd like to retain the factory emissions equipment (I'll do whatever as long as it will pass the test, it's a "sniffer" test). This means I'd like to be able to connect the headers to the factory catalytic converter (which I think is connected to the smog pump) which lies before the transmission cross member. I'd like to know if this could be done with the headers, or if they come back too far? What are my options here for going with these hooker long tube headers and getting the truck to pass emissions?

Here is a pic of what I'm talking about:



Thanks

 

Just by looking at those headers, I can see the flange on the passenger side would extend beyond the pan of the transmission. You would have to cut and move the cat back some.

I've seen full length Pacesetter headers that are short enough to work... using a couple 90 degree bends of course. A little more cost, but very good quality from what I hear.

 

Why not shorties headers - you may loss 1-5 hp tops when comparing long vs short headers, but you are talking about a truck. The will bolt up to orginal exhaust - well close anyway.

 

If you need to retain stock emissions equipment, shorties are the only way you can do this.

 

You can always add high flow cats to the mix and make it work

 

i either get shorties and keep the oem stuff or go full tilt and get long tubes with a new high flow cat... The oem cat will be restrictive on the long tubes and your going to have to rework the plumbing anyhow... What is the budget?

as for rusty header bolts soak them in pb twice a day for 2-3 weeks first! LOL they are a PITA. even with my 351w out I soaked for 3-4 days and still broke 4... Also remember to do a push pull on them... don't just put the rachet in reverse and torque them off.... you'll break more that way... Darthice can attest to this... LOL

 

I would go with a high flow cat instead of the stock cats too.

He may mean that he has to retain them though. I have heard that some states besides Cali now require stock emissions equipment like cats.

 

YES I CAN i am still pissed at the guys i had doing it freakin idiots. but hey it gave me an excuse to put some different heads on.
Thats true personally i think that is a stupid rule as long as you pass the sniffer test you should be alright in my opinion but its the government and they are all about money

 

let's just say that b/c of my job I know about this kinda stuff... Iowa doesn't require factory emmissions to be installed nor should any other state. By those terms you would be required to soley buy your emmissions equipment from the factory. Which is illegal b/c that would create a supplier monopoly of emmissions control equipment. Most likey even in the most stringent of states the law will read "emmission systems stock or similar shall be used in order to obtain vehicle emission at or below the XYZ state emissions limit as controled and monitiored by XYZ state body. Trust me you should have aftermarket options no mater where you live... They might be limited because you'll have to pass emissions standards but a state cannot legally require you to obtain your emissions equipment from the factory if there is a suitable alternative that can be shown to obtain the same or better than factory...

 

PS how are those new heads coming Chase????

 

they are on there i just havent gotten it all back together yet. Time consuming.

 

The stock Y pipe and cats have to go if you install longtubes, and even with shorty headers they should be swapped in favor of an aftermarket Y pipe and cat. My truck has passed sniffer tests with longtubes and a Magnaflow cat, I had to build my own Y pipe assembly to connect everything together.

New Exhaust - a set on Flickr

 

^agree 100%

 

x2 agree with Paul

BTW Paul,

I know I might have asked this before but where is a good place to get cheap mandrel bent tube for welding my own y-pipe and exhaust? local or internet??? what size did you use?

 

nstueve - what you said about what states should do regarding after market parts and passing emission makes a lot of sense - unfortunately Ca doesn't have any.

For Cat's here is only one manufacturer that is "certified" for replacement. Also each part has to be certified for the year vehicle.

Example - crane roller rocker arms are certified for 1992 302 motors and earlier. But the same rockers are not legal on my 1994 302. Called Crane and they said it cost too much to go thru certification so they stopped applying for certification. Of course if the valve covers cover the rockers... and yes it went through smog the first time.

Only in CA....