I am looking to step up to something that flows better than my Edelbrock headers. I have no idea what emissions will be like when I pull up in my car.

I have a 385ci with AFRs, SR, Lunati roller, 11.1 comp, etc. I am looking at headers without AIR, but I don't know if they will pass the visual (I would leave the smog pump only if they were looking for that). I am wondering if I can pass with a good tune and new cat, if I don't have the AIR tubes.

So, am I stuck with AIR tube headers only?

 

Unless you get a complete dolt, they will fail you.....

 

it really all depends on the guy checking my buddy had a rs that he did the 350 vortec swap into with long tubes and he just ran some alcohol and they passed him

 

It'll pass teh sniffer no problem, it's the visual that he'll have a hard time with.....

 

like i said depends on the guy lookin theres an old guy at the station on greenfield/brown whos been pretty cool a couple times just so long as its clean enough

 

You only need AIR tubes on one side. They need to be hooked to the AIR pump and down to the cats. They check all the lines.

 

It also depends on where you live. Basically, the only counties where you are required to smog is Maricopa and Pima. I'm not sure about Maricopa county, but not all of Pima is required. I live 30 miles SW of Tucson and do not need to smog. Got a buddy in Pinal county? Years ago, I lived in Maricopa county, and worked in Pinal county, so I registered my car in Pinal county c/o my work address.
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P.S.--even though I don't have to do the smog inspection, I have to pay the inspection fee on my registration, somebody whined about some of us not having the additional cost!

 

you gotta smog in pinal now, they are slowly trying to add everyone.

 

When I removed the AIR tubes on my '87 5.7, I inserted brass threaded plugs in the manifold to accomodate steel flex lines instead of the factory hard lines ... this is to facilitate easy reinstallation every two years to pass the visual. Good to know only one side is required!

 

Yeah, I found out because the welds on the AIR tubes on one of my expensive SLP headers broke and the whole thing came off. I tig welded the holes back up and passed with that.

 

Are the existing exemptions valid, with only new registrations required to smog?

 

I passed mine with the AIR tube disconected from the cats. The guys liked my car also it had a 383, headers, flowmaster and a compcams cam it sounded sweet. I was so nervous they would fail me. This time I'm gona try it with no air I hate that crap. If they fail me I'll put it back in.