Iv'e read in an article here on thirdgen.org that from 1989 all L98 f-bods came with the dual cat opyion. From what I've researched that can be expensive if going the Emissions legal route. Fill me in here im kinda confused. Can you switch to a 1 cat, high flow, emissions legal set up. When I get my car I know I'll barely be able to afford a full exhuast, so buying 2 cats and a different cat back would be a PITA.

 

Technically the number and location of the cats cannot be altered to stay emissions legal. However I dont believe they can tell wheter its a single or dual cat car by the vin. Someone correct me if im wrong on that one. So unless they pull the rpo code they should be able to tell the number of cats the car was originally equiped with.

 

'89-up L98, 8th character of the VIN = "8" - yes, they can tell from the VIN that it's supposed to have dual cats.

Kalifornia is the worst out there for nit-picking details such as that.

 

That sucks, oh well I'd guess I'd just have to go thorugh the pain of either avoiding SMOG or puttin the parts back on. Wish I knew someone that could pass me

 

You know that they do accept tips.

 

"Sir my car belches out black smoke, but how does 80 greenbacks sound?"

Only reason I didn't jump right to that is because I know of somone who tried to do that and the Smog inspector basically nailed him with every fine and penalty you can imagine.

 

Have any friends/family in a non emissions area? You could always register the car at their residance.

 

No but that's a good idea, never thought of that. I'll have to seen if I can think of someone thanks!

 

I've known people who have been fined for that, too. In both CA and CO.

 

 

You can claim dual residancy in which case an id is not required for the state in which the vehicle is registered. Its really not all that hard to get an out of state id thou. All you need is some mail with your name on it. Of course youll have to travel to that state at some point to get the id, but if you know someone there it can be a fun little road trip to take.