Header Question (no..not a brand debate)

[Max]

I'm wanting to put a full exhaust on the car.....ceramic coated headers and Corsa Cat back.

that being said...most places I look, and my understanding is that headers, by default, are not emissions legal, correct?

while I know this has nothing to do with actual emissions, but rather a reconfiguration over OEM that the state regulations do not like, understanding that, are there any "emissions friendly" headers out there?

First...I'm wanting to keep my car emissions legal...not debating this topic...just something I want to do. 

Mainly just trying to find a good quality set of headers that I can instal and maintain my emissions. 

What has everyone's experience been with this? 

yes...I'm in Alaska and while Anchorage does have emissions testing, I have a "seasonal waiver" for the Camaro (since it's not driven in the winter anyway), so I don't acutally have to have it sniffed and visually inspected like the others.

I know I know...after that sentence most folks are going to say "so what...just delete the emissions and have a nice day"...but like I said...mine's a street car and I simply want to maintain my emissions.


are basic shorty headers emissions legal? 

For the record...I was leaning toward Doug's headers or Arizona Speed and Marine...and while I know this will open a can of worms...I'm open to suggestions; mainly what have folks used that a: seals really well and b: are not "too" difficult to install.


Thanks for the advice and I apologize in advance for re-surfacing this age old question.

I'm not convinced it's worth it for "street" use...maybe just a cat back would be money better spent....thoughts?

I believe most folks on the board know me...but if not...my car is a '94 Z28


Scott

[BandDirector]

It's my understanding that a shorty header is in full emissions compliance because they do not relocate the factory cats.  Anything that relocates the factory cats is technically illegal the way I understand it, but as long as the OBDII still says you're fine and/or the sniffer says you're fine, then relocating the cats is no big deal.  However, in CA, even the shorty headers have to carry a CARB certification in order for them to be "legal" in CA.

I run Hooker shorty headers on my LS1 to keep my factory cats, but I had a BAD experience with Jet Hot Long Tube headers that have just turned me off to LT headers for my car...