cookcobra

When installing a new x-pipe, does anyone know how significant the pipe that runs from the mid-section to under the hood is for passing emissions testing (in Texas)?

For now, I just plugged the smog outlet under the hood and the opening on the mid-pipe, both with rubber caps. The check engine light hasn't come on but I've only driven it once since the installation (also not sure if the temp will get high enough to melt them). My biggest concern is failing emissions testing, so need to know if anyone has experience with this issue. Thx!

Here's a pic of the pipe in question-->


And a view from under the hood-->

nitrous_bob

biggest question back to you is this....

do you have a visual inspection ? or just the sniffer pipe. ???

sniffer only ? your fine...you can pass with no cats. the viz is EVERYTHING though

cookcobra

It's both visual AND sniffer in my county. Here's the story:

Car is from a state that doesn't have emissions testing at all; it had an off-road x-pipe. Since my last Mustang with ZERO emissions passed before (with the techs very slowly accelerating while on the dyno & sniffer), I figured that this car having ALL emissions, except cats would pass w/ flying colors. Not the case, it surprisingly failed - this tech was also offended that I asked him if I could pull the car into the shop bay myself...could have had something to do w/ it but that's just speculation...

So, I replaced headers and also installed x-pipe w/ cats. But if I want to re-install the smog pipe between the x-pipe & under hood hose, it's gonna require welding (unless using hose & clamps would work ok). I'm not skilled in welding and don't have any buddies who are...would rather not take into a shop.

The main question is: is this particular component (pipe) integral to how the smog system operates and reports back to the computer? Although no check engine light, will it give readings that exceed the state standards?