Exhaust Help In California. Damn This State!!

jennyluv · 09-27-2007, 03:58 AM

Looking for some help or suggestions on exhaust upgrade. I live in CA so that means TIGHT restrictions and limited options. Furthermore, none of the exhaust shops I've talked to will install anything that removes or modifies the CAT in any way. Something about a $30,000 fine from the state if they do(and get caught doing it). And from what I've read, the owner of the car could be in deep s%#! too. (State and Federal)
OK, fine. No DCRH for me. Or is there?

Should I just slip the guy at the exhaust shop a FIFTY, and wink?

What have the rest of you who live CA done?

Thanx all.

purvertedmunk · 09-27-2007, 04:01 AM

installing a bolt on exhaust is NOT hard at all. i'm not the type of guy who can work on cars but installing an exhaust is sooo easy, my 3 year old son could do it! hehe... but really though, bolt on mods are pretty easy to do. unless you have a part thats not for your car OR its a cheap mass produced bolt on. if you buy quality mods, their pretty easy to install. and plus you have the help of this forum! good luck buddy

jennyluv · 09-27-2007, 04:13 AM

Thanks for reply.

I dont have a lift!!! If I did, I'd give the instal a try. (Or let your 3 year old son have a go at it).

I just dont feel safe under the car when it's on jackstands. Plus, not a lot of room to work.

Install aside, what do I do when I have to get smog check? Return to stock, then re-install header afterward? It's pissing me off just writing about it.

***Excalibur*** · 09-27-2007, 05:14 AM

I'm sorry you have to live in that state. I'm hoping they don't push their crappy laws on the rest of the US.
On a serious note, do it yourself. Get ramps and back it up onto them or something. It's such an easy thing to do.

jackolee · 09-27-2007, 05:35 AM

well if you dont feel safe you could get someone to do it for you...

but if you dont want to install and uninstall you could just get a muffler install i dont see how that would produce more smog since its still running on the stock exhaust pipe

ibanez37 · 09-27-2007, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennyluv

Or let your 3 year old son have a go at it).

This might be your best option right here.

There are a lot of members located in Cali. I'm sure you can find someone that would be willing to come by and help you or do the whole install for ~$20 and some beer. Start up a thread in the West Coast forum.

Kai916 · 09-27-2007, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennyluv

Should I just slip the guy at the exhaust shop a FIFTY, and wink?

What have the rest of you who live CA done?

Thanx all.

The mechanics in sacramento would wink back, take the fifty and call the cops. But yeah california has super strict laws, if you find a solution I would like to know as well o.O sorry I'm no help =P

EuphoricRhythm · 09-27-2007, 05:08 PM

ouch, my local muffler shop would do it, no questions asked. I went and asked them about making a test pipe and they quoted me 80$ with my own non fouler.

Dwn4nythng · 09-27-2007, 05:39 PM

Bay Area Cali here. I have the Comptech header, Random tech Hi Flo Cat, Greddy Evo 2 cat-back exhaust. Should still pass smog. Going to bring it to get checked soon.

Kidekat · 09-27-2007, 06:03 PM

Legally they can not remove a functioning catalytic converter.

purvertedmunk · 09-27-2007, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennyluv

Thanks for reply.

I dont have a lift!!! If I did, I'd give the instal a try. (Or let your 3 year old son have a go at it).

I just dont feel safe under the car when it's on jackstands. Plus, not a lot of room to work.

Install aside, what do I do when I have to get smog check? Return to stock, then re-install header afterward? It's pissing me off just writing about it.

installing an aftermarket exhaust shoudnt mess with your emissions except for a race header cuz it will eliminate your cat. jackstands are the way to go, their safe , been working with them for years. of course a lift would be 10 times better but its completely fine especially if your working on a flat surface. i know how you feel man, living in kali and stuff. we have the suckiest laws ever. but yeah man, a race header will take your cat out so i would save all your stock stuff unless u know a guy that'll do it under the table if you know what i mean. its the route i went with my dc integra with all my mods. going under the table saves alot of work

jackolee · 09-28-2007, 11:40 AM

lol....

i cant us jackstands unless im in the garages ince my driveway is at and angle... and my stepdad parks his tl in there all the time so i just take the risk of it on the driveway...

isnt there a law in cali that if they catch you racing they can tow your car and have it crushed???

purvertedmunk · 09-28-2007, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackolee

lol....

i cant us jackstands unless im in the garages ince my driveway is at and angle... and my stepdad parks his tl in there all the time so i just take the risk of it on the driveway...

isnt there a law in cali that if they catch you racing they can tow your car and have it crushed???

yeah but i belieive thats if you sanction an illegal street race at a back road or something and have illegal mods. i mean, theire not gonna crush a z06 corvette for racing down the freeway or crush a g35 for racing on a stop light. i think?

JMorris · 09-29-2007, 12:49 AM

You need to find a mechanic that does side work. I'm in N CAL also and got a major attitude from a local shop just for asking if they would install it. I also have a friend at a muffler shop but didn't want to put him in that position asking to use his lift. Do it in a flat drive way, some one questions you, get off my property might be the response. If you know anyone who works for a big company or the utilities etc most likely they have mechanics for there fleet vehicles and most of them do side work. That's what I did, his fee $20, I gave him $40 and lunch.

jennyluv · 09-29-2007, 01:35 AM

Thanks for everyone's help. I've decided to go with the DCRH. I ordered mine this mornin and I'm already checking the front porch for delivery!

After a little research on CA DMV site, I found out if your car is 2005 or later...get ready for this.....NO smog check for 5 years. F yeah!

It also appears that some counties are smog exempt. Perhaps a PO BOX in one of these counties would allow you to register your vehicle there and thus be exempt from any state imposed smog restrictions. Has anyone done this? Is it possible? Oh how glorious that would be.

SCREW THE SPOTTED OWL!

JMorris · 09-29-2007, 01:58 AM

That's news to me. What counties? Wonder how they get around that? Any links to the info?

I Vtec, do you? · 09-29-2007, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennyluv

Something about a $30,000 fine from the state if they do(and get caught doing it). And from what I've read, the owner of the car could be in deep s%#! too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennyluv

Should I just slip the guy at the exhaust shop a FIFTY, and wink?

Sorry, but it's things like this that make me worry about the future. Are you stupid, or do you just not care? No cat + RH = loud ass car. Loud ass car + cops = getting pulled over. You pulled over = 30k fine.

drfters13 · 09-29-2007, 02:50 AM

is more like 1200 fine for not having a cat i think 30,000 fine is for the shop who removed the functioning cat

lightlypurified · 09-29-2007, 03:02 AM

does this apply to a downpipe on an r18 by the way the r18 is a u-lev2 i also live in cali im scared as well about an exhaust on my car i have a k&n intake that says it isnt carb exmeption so inono can anybody help me out here i wanted to put an exhaust on my car.

***Excalibur*** · 09-29-2007, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drfters13

is more like 1200 fine for not having a cat i think 30,000 fine is for the shop who removed the functioning cat

Agreed. You don't get a 30k dollar fine.

What if you removed the cat though?

09-27-2007, 03:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
jennyluv Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NorCal Posts: 39 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Exhaust Help In California. Damn This State!! Looking for some help or suggestions on exhaust upgrade. I live in CA so that means TIGHT restrictions and limited options. Furthermore, none of the exhaust shops I've talked to will install anything that removes or modifies the CAT in any way. Something about a $30,000 fine from the state if they do(and get caught doing it). And from what I've read, the owner of the car could be in deep s%#! too. (State and Federal) OK, fine. No DCRH for me. Or is there? Should I just slip the guy at the exhaust shop a FIFTY, and wink? What have the rest of you who live CA done? Thanx all.

09-29-2007, 01:35 AM	#15 (permalink)
jennyluv Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NorCal Posts: 39 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Thanks 8th. Did You Know......? Thanks for everyone's help. I've decided to go with the DCRH. I ordered mine this mornin and I'm already checking the front porch for delivery! After a little research on CA DMV site, I found out if your car is 2005 or later...get ready for this.....NO smog check for 5 years. F yeah! It also appears that some counties are smog exempt. Perhaps a PO BOX in one of these counties would allow you to register your vehicle there and thus be exempt from any state imposed smog restrictions. Has anyone done this? Is it possible? Oh how glorious that would be. SCREW THE SPOTTED OWL!

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09-27-2007, 04:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
purvertedmunk Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 115 iTrader: 0 / 0%	installing a bolt on exhaust is NOT hard at all. i'm not the type of guy who can work on cars but installing an exhaust is sooo easy, my 3 year old son could do it! hehe... but really though, bolt on mods are pretty easy to do. unless you have a part thats not for your car OR its a cheap mass produced bolt on. if you buy quality mods, their pretty easy to install. and plus you have the help of this forum! good luck buddy

09-27-2007, 04:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
jennyluv Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NorCal Posts: 39 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Thanks for reply. I dont have a lift!!! If I did, I'd give the instal a try. (Or let your 3 year old son have a go at it). I just dont feel safe under the car when it's on jackstands. Plus, not a lot of room to work. Install aside, what do I do when I have to get smog check? Return to stock, then re-install header afterward? It's pissing me off just writing about it.

09-27-2007, 05:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
*Excalibur* Blown at last Join Date: May 2007 Location: Converse, TX. Age: 25 Posts: 9,513 Jeremy iTrader: 24 / 100%	I'm sorry you have to live in that state. I'm hoping they don't push their crappy laws on the rest of the US. On a serious note, do it yourself. Get ramps and back it up onto them or something. It's such an easy thing to do.

09-27-2007, 05:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
jackolee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tennessee Age: 19 Posts: 4,609 iTrader: 1 / 100%	well if you dont feel safe you could get someone to do it for you... but if you dont want to install and uninstall you could just get a muffler install i dont see how that would produce more smog since its still running on the stock exhaust pipe

09-27-2007, 05:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
EuphoricRhythm Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SoCal Age: 23 Posts: 118 iTrader: 0 / 0%	ouch, my local muffler shop would do it, no questions asked. I went and asked them about making a test pipe and they quoted me 80$ with my own non fouler.

09-27-2007, 05:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dwn4nythng Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: You think he's going to jail, it will be a long while before he does. I know what their doing. Posts: 2,423 NorCal Meet Organizer iTrader: 1 / 100%	Bay Area Cali here. I have the Comptech header, Random tech Hi Flo Cat, Greddy Evo 2 cat-back exhaust. Should still pass smog. Going to bring it to get checked soon.

09-27-2007, 06:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
Kidekat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Corona/Redlands, CA Posts: 693 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Legally they can not remove a functioning catalytic converter.

09-28-2007, 11:40 AM	#12 (permalink)
jackolee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tennessee Age: 19 Posts: 4,609 iTrader: 1 / 100%	lol.... i cant us jackstands unless im in the garages ince my driveway is at and angle... and my stepdad parks his tl in there all the time so i just take the risk of it on the driveway... isnt there a law in cali that if they catch you racing they can tow your car and have it crushed???

09-29-2007, 12:49 AM	#14 (permalink)
JMorris Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Concord Posts: 569 James iTrader: 1 / 100%	You need to find a mechanic that does side work. I'm in N CAL also and got a major attitude from a local shop just for asking if they would install it. I also have a friend at a muffler shop but didn't want to put him in that position asking to use his lift. Do it in a flat drive way, some one questions you, get off my property might be the response. If you know anyone who works for a big company or the utilities etc most likely they have mechanics for there fleet vehicles and most of them do side work. That's what I did, his fee $20, I gave him $40 and lunch.

09-29-2007, 01:58 AM	#16 (permalink)
JMorris Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Concord Posts: 569 James iTrader: 1 / 100%	That's news to me. What counties? Wonder how they get around that? Any links to the info?

09-29-2007, 02:50 AM	#18 (permalink)
drfters13 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 1,156 iTrader: 6 / 100%	is more like 1200 fine for not having a cat i think 30,000 fine is for the shop who removed the functioning cat

09-29-2007, 03:02 AM	#19 (permalink)
lightlypurified Senior Member Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,162 iTrader: 0 / 0%	does this apply to a downpipe on an r18 by the way the r18 is a u-lev2 i also live in cali im scared as well about an exhaust on my car i have a k&n intake that says it isnt carb exmeption so inono can anybody help me out here i wanted to put an exhaust on my car.