I live in CA and have to abide by all the smog laws. I've pretty much decided on Hooker 2055 headers and the Banks Cat back, but I need to find a CA legal cat that's pretty good.

I've heard Random Tech. are pretty good but they're like $220!

What is the best CA legal cat you can get? More than one opinion would be nice.


Also, is direct fit or universal fit better?

 

2055 headers aren't legal for an LO3. The CARB # only applies to '86-'90 TPI single cat applications.

 

If there is a carb number on the headers themselves, very few Smog Techs will actually look up the application, you will pass.

Also, if the Smog Tech doesn't pass you on that technicality, you can go to a referee station, who will pass you and give you a waiver for that part.

A referee will pass you if you have totally smog illegal headers but have put the AIR pump fittings on them, retained all the smog stuff, and the car passes out the pipe. It's a hassle, but you only have to do it once, and you will have a waiver permanently. We can build decent cars here still, it just takes more effort and money

Troy
So Cal

 

So will the 2055's fit on my car and do they have the necessary smog fittings?


If not, which ones will?

 

They'll fit.

Use a direct-fit cat for '86-'90 TPI single cat application, such as a Catco 9118 or whatever the Random Tech p/n is for that application.

You hear so many different tales from California about getting out the books and such, hard to know what to believe. I didn't try anything "sneaky" while I was out there, so all my horror stories are about what they made me do to the '57 when I first moved there.

 

Well my car is a single cat 1992 Camaro RS 305 TBI.


Does this mean I should go for a universal fit?

Again, my main concern was the brand..

 

If Troy is confident enough that you can get the 2055's past the system, then go for a direct fit type for the TPI application.

There are a bunch of different opinions about brands out there, but I've been running my Catco for over 5 years. Price them around, but I'm pretty sure Catco, Walker, and Dynomax are all made by the same company (the Walker I have on another vehicle is exactly like the Catco I have on the Camaro).

 

and the TPI one will fit my car?

 

Get a Car Sound (AKA Magna Flow) but for sure stay away from Random Tech. they are over priced junk.

Car Sound is a Ca. company.

 

It will fit your "car".

It will fit within your new exhaust if you get the 2055's and the cat-back for the '86-'90 TPI single cat application.

 

Okay well I should be ordering the Hooker 2055's next week.

I just want to make sure I know what to get from entec when I order the Banks cat back.

I should get the single cat TPI version?

They have these listed:

Stinger for Camaro/Firebird 1986-88, L69-305 4 BBL, L69-305 TPI, L98-350 TPI, B2L-350 TPI $275.00

• Stinger for Camaro/Firebird 1988-92, L03-305 TBI $275.00

Which one? I have a 92 Camaro with a 305 TBI..

 

get a Carsound cat. they flow about the best, are well constructed and are very inexpensive.

 

Like five7 said get the catco direct fit cat for the 86-90 tpi cars. Obviously since you are getting the headers and cat for a 86-90 tpi car, you are going to want to get a catback made for the 86-90 tpi cars that way everything bolts up together.

 

I've had my Catco since '97 and it works great!