Hello everyone i am looking into adding Mac Longtube Headers to my 06! and i have a couple questions, How do those with long tube headers pass smog? Do you swap it out? And then after smog put them back on? I am looking at the brenspeed kit, http://www.brenspeed.com/mustang_200...546package.gifbut i would only need the headers since i already have the prochamber that i can take off the o/r legs off of. Would i need header gaskets also? Is there anything else i would need when buying these? Thanks for all your help


PS: how much should i be expecting to pay for install?

 

What type of emissions test does your locality do?

In my county they do an OBD II test - they plug a computer to your OBD port and read out several parameters. There are about 6 things they check but I'm not exactly sure what they are. They are essentially checking for any CEL lights, either current or recent. Thus to pass I need the following:
- functional, closed gas system (gas cap check)
- Visible CATs
- No CELs in the computer -I know you need functional O2 sensors, front and rears. Many times Long Tubes will throw CELs related to the O2 sensors, this is why, even with CATs, many tuners turn off the rear sensors. One option is to get MIL eliminators, which fool the computer into thinking the rear O2s are working correctly.

Swapping the headers on and off is not an option - takes about 6-8 hrs, even for a pro.

 

I agree with Argonaut about swapping out headers. Too much hassle. Not worth it if you have to pass smog. Wouldn't you have to lift the engine off its mounts to get to the headers?

 

I'd say since you're in California, you'd be better off with the Kooks set-up with catted x-pipe (6020-CX). Still not 100% sure they'd pass Cali emissions testing though. Might inquire as to if they have aC.A.R.B. EO number. Well worth the extra money IMO and they come complete.
With any headers, swapping isn't really a good option (as previously stated). Shop around and see what you can find, but Kooks is one of the few, if not only that offers long tubes with a catted x-pipe. Oh, and you wouldn't be giving up a noticeable amount of HP by sticking with the cats. Heck, you'd probably even end up with more HP with the Kooks catted set-up versus the MACs (equal length vs. non-equal).Also, re-read thethe next to last sentencein the link you posted.
I know Texas isn't quite as strict asCali is, but I've already talked to a buddy who works at a place that does inspections with regards to the Kooks kit and his exact words were, "If you DO have cats and DON'T have any OBD II codes, you'll be fine."

 

Move to Florida...no inspection, good weather, and we do what we want.

 

There are several headers out now that have CARB EO numbers - that's Cal Air Resources Board which means they are certified, so passing CA emmissions won't be a problem. My headers have the CARB# stamped right on them.