Hey. I did a bit of searching and didn't find what I wanted so I'm starting a post. As of right now my truck "85 4runner" is cruzin around with a super stuffed up old ass Cat that is about to be hallowed out along with a dynomax performance muffler. 2-1/4" tubing cat-back. I also have a pretty mild Comp-Cam "smog legal" that adds a little lope to the motor. I'm thinking about what will happen in the future with Smog and what other people have experienced.
I just found a great deal on a used LC header for my truck for only $125 and I plan on buying it. I'm just wondering if I install the header with the setup I already have, will it still be able to pass smog? I've heard that by adding a header that smog is alot tougher to pass. This is CA by the way. Let me know what you think. Thanks.
I think the rules are different between WA and CA, you guys talk about carb stickers and stuff like that. I just have my PCV valve and the Cat left on mine, as far as emissions equipment goes. With these and the engine being in good tune, the emissions readings were better than when I first bought the truck. I just make sure the Cat is well heated before I go in. I have the LC header and a high flow cat.
In Washington there's a new company that took over the emissions testing for the state, I don't know if it's going to be anymore strict than it was before. If what came out of the tailpipe was ok, then no problem before. I think the rules say if you screw with the emissions equipment, you can't pass. So I'm thinking if they want to screw with me they can. I would appreciate hearing from anybody in WA about this.
Well heres my 2 cents. I know without a cat it will not pass smog. As to the header and cam Cam should passs if its mild ans smog exempt(should have come with a # and sticker if not you should call the company that makes it. The header needs to have all the smog tubes attached. You know the ones that connect right next to the head and lead to the EGR
and it most have an o2 sensor if it hass all ths then its fine. AT least that what i have been told,
but if you had a friend in the smog buisness then none of this is a worrie
I actually passed smog with a hollowed out cat- the motor was brand new though and I didn't know the cat was hollow. Since then I added a $60 summit cat and Thorley "smog legal" header with 2 1/4 exhaust. Just make sure you have the sticker showing. If you don't get the sticker with the LC- call them and have them send you one. Last time I got it smogged they were more worried about the Throttle Position Sensor not working than with the exhaust.
I know my truck wont pass without the cat but I was just wondering what other people in CA have had to deal with. Thanks for the .02 everyone. Keep'em coming.
I keep a brand new CAT just for smogging in reserve. I know its not good for the envirionment but CA is picking on the older cars and keeps uping the requirements.
A few mechanics have told me put it a new cat and you'll pass everytime. I dont have the money to put in a newone everytime so I have one just for passing smog.
In CA you're not going to pass any smog if you dont have the right pretty little stickers after your custom parts. I've found that ARABS dont care much about your mods just as long as you pass the sniffer test. Good luck.....
that's what i do. i keep a new cat in the shop just to go on the truck once every two years.
i've never had problems with the header i have. it has the heat riser for the air cleaner and the ports for the air injection.
my cam shaft is an LC engineering 280 cam for a 22r carbed motor. i haven't had any problem with that. i just don't say anything. and i put the idle up a little higher so that it won't lope. i think the low speed test goes up to 1,500 rpms, not sure on that though. and it's the low rpms that get'cha when you have a cam with over-lap.
here's my going to smog procedure:
new plugs, install the new cat, idle up the carb, check air cleaner, check egr valve, check timing, run fresh 87 gas. and make sure it is nice and warm when i bring it in. i pass with flying colors every time.
my motor has 30,000 miles on a complete rebuild with the LC cam, offenhauser dual port intake, 33b weber, nwor header, timing recurve spring(makes the mechanical advance go at an earlier rpm), and 2" exhaust with a flow master
I just put a new cat on my 85 to pass smog . I order it from summit it cost $110 plus ship and tax . My friend owns a smog shop and he told me that with a older motor is best to put a stock cat as to a high flow cat . If your motor is newer go with a high flow . But you will need a cat to pass the smog 2 test .
my $.02... I took my truck to pretest smog station without doing anything to it. K&N and MSD ign. It didnt pass. Guy said it needs cat and didnt charge me a penny. I thought my cat was good because it didnt rattle and temp felt equal at inlet and out. I tuned, plugs and drove 75mph on freeway and tool to smog only station. DIdnt pass and the guy said I needed stickers for K&N and MSD for visual. He charged me $38. (Jerk) Removed MSD and K&N and added a new cheap Kragen cat. Took to first station. Passed 100%. My old cat was hollow. My truck had no readings for CO and HC. The guy said it would pass with the air and ignition on there too.
Find a pass or dont pay and get a good cat. Also try to make the engine compartment look as stock as possible so no questions.
Back in the "heep" days it wouldn't pass smog so i found a dirty smog guy and payed $150 sold it and bought a 1991 yota..
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