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I got the headers on, now what?

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k5zombie666

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I got a 1987 k5 blazer tbi. I just bolted on a pair of hooker headers without the smog injections. what the hell do i do about the smog lines coming out of the back of the engine that where attached to the stock exhaust manifolds? Do i just leave them open like that? plug 'em? disconnect the line and plug the opening? HELP ME!!!!!!!:mad:
 
Oh boy... that's a can of worms:-) Honestly I don't really know, but I am fairly certain its gonna throw codes, i think?
 
Try just running it without plugging it or anything and see what it does. It may not make a difference. If it starts to idle rough or something, maybe then you could plug it. Hopefully you won't fail your smog check now.
 
Do you mean the air injection tubes that used to go into the exhaust manifolds?
You should be able to just delete them and the smog pump completely if indeed thats what we are all talking about.
 
Yeah, the first thing I did was 86 the air pump and all its plumbing. It was locked up anyway and the belt was missing. I've never missed it. Thing is, some vehicles have to have all the orignal smog devices and have them in working order. In that case, I guess you would just have to get some headers that had the correct fittings on them. Bummer.
 
I got rid of the air injection lines and the smog pump on my 87 with no issues and no check engine lights a long time ago. If you leave the lines on and the pump hooked up the air pump will still push air through and sound like an exhaust leak.

There again andyblack is right, you may have to have it in place to pass the visual emissions inspection. They usually don't even look at mine.

-Phil
 
Remember K5zombie is in California. Ahhnold and his buddies at CARB won't let him get away with anything.
 
andyblack said:
Remember K5zombie is in California. Ahhnold and his buddies at CARB won't let him get away with anything.
Click to expand...


+1 You will not pass smog visual with either the headers you just installed or removing the smog pump. Although, it will not throw any codes and it will pass the sniffer test. If your smog pump is in good shape now it wont be if you disconnect it and let it sit. They have a nasty habit of locking up when they sit.

In order for you to stay legal in the peoples republic of Kalifornia you need to get a 50 state legal set of headers with AIR injection ports complete with the CARB EO number stamped on them and hook up the smog pump.

Hope that helps.
Rufus
 
I just drove it to the my muffler guy blocks away every thing seemed fine. No check engine light, no exhaust smells, idles good. BUT NOW THE GUY AT THE MUFFLER SHOP WANTS TO WELD A BUNG ON ONE OF THE HEADERS FOR THE O2sensor. I know im not gonna pass smog. so do i still need the o2sensor? NEED RESPONSES ASAP
 
Well I didn't put my O2 sensor back on when I put on my headers and the engine doesn't seem to idle as smooth and is more likely to stall.
 
Yes! you need the o2 sensor still. Have the bung welded in the drivers side collector.
 
You absolutely MUST have the O2 sensor for the truck to run right. it will eventually throw a code without it installed. make sure that he installs the sensor in the header reducer otherwise it will void your header warranty. If you don't have a warranty on your headers get the O2 sensor as close to the engine as possible while still being in the exhaust stream of all 4 cylinders in that side.

Just remember that you need the AIR injection ports on the headers to pass smog. I would get the correct headers installed before having your exhaust guy do work on a system that will have to be undone within 2 years. Just my 2c.

Cheers,

Rufus
 
Man that sounds like a lot of trouble. Don't take this the wrong way, but how do you guys put up with all that over-regulation? I know Cali is a nice place as far as the weather and all, but I think I would just have to move to another state instead of putting up with all that eco weanie crap. You should all go out and make a big scene like all the animal rights nuts do and get some TV coverage and let those idiot politicians know you're not going to vote for them anymore. A lot of good that would do though.
 
if your truck did not come from the factory WITH dual exhaust, even out in Calil, you're not technically allowed to change it, they even say that here but don't really enforce it too hard.

yes, you need a legal headder for emissions, although i thought i read somewhere, where Cali did away with this "CARB" number thingy, not sure though, so you'd technically be required to keep all factory exhaust components.

now that's not saying you couldn't get bigger tubes, run the Y-pipe into a 3.5" tube, into a big/higher flowing Cat, then run duals out of that or just a but tubed setup through a big muffler.

Hell, i think the stock tube diameter on my burb is about 3" or slightly bigger going into the Cat.
 
I know this state is run by a bunch of hippies. I friend of mine got a 500 dollar ticket because his 5.0 mustang gt was to loud, and having tinted windows.
 
ryoken said:
this thread is a disaster......
Click to expand...

:crazy: tell me about it.




k5zombie666, you need to slow down and get some information on California smog laws. They put a serious damper on what you can and can not do to your vehicle and still pass the biannual smog.

As of January 1 2009 you can not alter the exhaust configuration of your truck from the catalytic converter forward. And you must use your stock converter or, if it is bad you must install an application specific converter that meats the California labeling standards. http://www.car-sound.com/04basics/04california.asp

This means you can not install a 3.5 inch converter if it came stock with a 2 inch converter. Also, you need to stay with the stock exhaust configuration forward of the cat so if you have a y pipe stock you need to stay with a y pipe.

Hope that helps, let us know if you have any other questions.

Rufus

P.S. you did not mention if this was even going to need a smog. For example if this is a trail only rig and a red sticker rig then these smog regulations are out the door.
 
I got it all down now. My muffler guy deals with this all the time. I have to put a reducer from 3'' to 2.5'' with the o2 bung. Run a 2.5'' Y pipe into the cat then into a SINGLE muffler. Magnaflow make a high flow cat that is CA approved. Thanx for all the feedback!
 
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