In the June/'02 issue of 4W&OR on Pg. 107 they have an article entitled "Exhaust Special - Legal Headers" which is a follow-up article to their May/'01 entitled "Power Tune". The article gives some good info on how to do a 50 state legal exhaust set-up and provides part numbers and their "sources". While the article was informative it falls short of providing a bolt up application and leaves you having to go to some high dollar shop unless you have all of the necessary equipment and skills.

I am not here to bash the mag or anything like that, BUT has anybody found an easier way to accomplish a legal exhaust system that performs?? The Edelbrock headers they used in the article seem like the best ones to maintain the "50 state" issue. But are they still the ones that will be a lesser wallet draining method? Most of you have all the answers for your smaller :jeep2:s, but I have a FSJ :jeep:. Any help or direction you can provide would be the :nuke:!!

I picked up a Borla header used awhile ago for my YJ and from reading the catalog that sells them believed that it was CA legal. Haven't installed it yet and am due for the smog test . Is it NOT CA legal?That article made me wonder..

Isn't the legality (or lack thereof) of a header just a matter of whether or not it has a mount for an oxygen sensor (or sensors in some cases) and air taps for a smog pump (if necessary)?

Any of that stuff could be installed by a good exhaust shop.

Jake

Originally posted by Victor
I picked up a Borla header used awhile ago for my YJ and from reading the catalog that sells them believed that it was CA legal. Haven't installed it yet and am due for the smog test . Is it NOT CA legal?That article made me wonder..

? #1 for you Victor ... the Borla header you have right now, is it just the 4 tubes that meet into a collector at the bottom and are joined side by side at the top onto a flat piece of metal? IF so, then most likely it is NOT street legal and would fail the "visual" inspection. However, if there are some additional smaller tubes running from the top of each header tube and meet at a valve body of sorts then most likely it should be street legal.

Originally posted by Jakesteramalamajama
Isn't the legality (or lack thereof) of a header just a matter of whether or not it has a mount for an oxygen sensor (or sensors in some cases) and air taps for a smog pump (if necessary)?

Any of that stuff could be installed by a good exhaust shop.

Jake

Basically, YES. Kinda what I explained to Victor above. But my point was trying to find a set of LEGAL headers that will actually fit my FSJ Chero and not run into a bunch of fitment problems like they had in the 4S&OR article and end up having to go to a shop. The guy the mag went to was a full awn shop and they said that guy was waaay experienced. To me that = BIG $$$. That is what I want to avoid.

Anybdy else?!?!

TIA :beer:

A header that is smog legal in Cali should have a tag with the CARB EO# on it. At lest the Edelbrocks I had on my S10 did.

:rolleyes:I know about the CARB # and tag.

What I am looking for is WHICH freakin one is the easiest and least expensive method, read not having to go to a muffler jockey who's gonna bend me bad(not to be punny). The Edelbrock header in the article IS smog legal BUT they had to modify it and do some other things to get it installed. My wish here is NOT to have to go through all that shi@t!

:confused: Anybody :confused:

that article was bull, they are not legally using the header. it's exemption status is based on it being used on a different year vehicle. That's is why it didn't bolt on.
The way I understand it, with the CARB exemption, the part itself is not approved but the method in which it is used is.

but, They may fool 99.9% of the guys doing the test.

If the part has the CARB stamp of approval for the vehicle you are using it on, then it is smog legal (assuming you use all of the appropriate smog stuff w/ it - O2 sensor, air pump ....)

I don't know FSJs, but Thorley headers have a great reputation for fitting where they say they fit. The Tri-Y design is great for tourque too. But they aren't the cheepest either. With headers its really a matter of you get what you pay for.

Ask the guys on the FSJ websites. They should have first hand knowledge.

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in reply to...

If the part has the CARB stamp of approval for the vehicle you are using it on, then it is smog legal (assuming you use all of the appropriate smog stuff w/ it - O2 sensor, air pump ....)
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in the article in question, these guys put a header deisigned for a 81-91 FSJ on a 79 model.
:smokin:
wouldn't that constitue using it on a vehiclel that it is not aproved for???? I think so....

I appreciate all of your input BUT could we put aside the debate of the legality of the headers in the article PLEASE! :flipoff2: I do appreciate your efforts!!!

What I am actually looking for is someone who has actually done a FULLY LEGAL setup on their rig WITHOUT all of the BIG $$$ mods they had to do in the article to get the job done. I already know what it takes for the exhaust to be legal but don't wan't to end up buying a bunch of sheit that has to be modified or shelved for stuff that will actually work right and bolt it.

I want a set of headers (Edelbrock, Thorley, Borla, etc.) that are CARB legal, that will fit within the engine bay confines. I would like to steer clear of "budget" headers like Hedman that will crap out, but I'm not made of gold either. I would like to find an off road H-pipe with high-flow cats, but I know for an FSJ that is more than likely "wish in one hand and sheit in the other, which one fills first" issue. A guy cain dream cain't he:confused::D

Any FSJ'ers that have any IRL experience with pipe diameter formulas :question:
Low end torque is the biggest draw for me so take it from there. I am also open to suggestions for the cans. 2 chamber Flows are a bit on the rumbly droning side. On a nice trail ride I'd like to be able to hear my spotter and not end up yelling all day and my ears ringing while trying to wind down at the end of the trail with a frosty :homervoice: mmmmmm :beer:!

BUMP

Ok i dont live in Cali but i di a similar thing on my Jeep CJ-7, i have a 304 and i used the headman header, i passed all the smog & pollution test, and YES it was a bolt on at least on the 304.

hope it helps