Most of the emissions legal (with cats) LT header setups I see (FLP, SLP, QTP) cost $1200 and up. I'm looking for the cheapest setup because I'm going to have pay for installation as well. I would like to attempt the install but I don't have the time nor resources to do it. Any suggestions?

 

Cheapest route by far is getting yourself a set of Pacesetter or Flowtech LT headers. Then buy a pair of inexpensive HF cats like Carsound. I think you also need a pair of 02 simms. Don't bother with the ORY. Bring all the above to whatever exhaust shop/performance shop is doing the install for you.

They can fab you a 3" y-pipe for probably $100 which is cheaper then a traditional ORY. Have them weld the HF cats into the fabed Y pipe.

Pacesetter coated Headers $410
Fabbed Y-pipe $100
02 Simms $90 (if needed)
Pair of Carsound Cats $200

So parts total is roughly $800 and then install would be on top of that number. I'm guessing your looking at $400 for install but you'll have to check around and see what deals you can find because I am not sure. Bare in mind that replacing non-defective cats or relocating cats from the factory posistions is in violation of the Federal Clean Air Act. So not every shop will be willing to do this work so don't be shocked if a few places you call refuse to give a quote. I would check the Non-franchise exhaust shops and or performance shops like speed inc.

Good Luck

 

flowtech coated headers $380


not sure of the cats and ypipe...

but combine that with at least a $20 online order discount through thunder racing....and they are cheap


and check out page 11 of my website (sig) for a detailed install guide

 

Any set of longtubes is illegal because it moves the cats from their stock location. so if you want to pass visual then your screwed. but if you just want to pass the sniffer then just make sure you run some cats.

 

The sniffer is all I'm concerned about.

 

Check to see if your local laws require exhaust testing. Mine only require (on 96 and newer cars) the OBD II to report 'A--OK' and they give you the sticker.

If they can take that as an emmissions test then your all set! Put the LTs on, throw away the O2 sensors and cats then go find a cool person with LS1 Edit and your problems are solved.

(If the mechanic looks under your car during inspection then just say 'Yeah, I got lucky, my cats blend in soooo well with my exhaust and look so perty )

 

They're inside the pipes

And if they ask you what that smell is ... use this line "Sorry, I had a killer lunch at the Grand Enchilada"

 

Keep in mind that there is no such thing as an emissions legal long tube header set up. Having cats doesn't make them legal. All long tubes and mid length move the cats and that will fail your visual inspection if they look.

 

Generally where I'm from, they just stick the sniffer in your tail pipe for a few seconds and get a carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon reading. The only visible inspection they do is check your lights, turn signals, park brake, etc...

 

RxNupe-

If you're in Illinois you don't have to worry about the sniffer. In 1996 and newer cars they just hook you up to a computer and as long as you're not throwing codes, you pass. They only put you on the treadmill and sniff if it's OBDI (1995 and older). they made it EASIER to pass with no cats as long as you know what you're doing.

 

I'm glad we don't have to go through that emmisions bullsh|t in Kentucky.

 

Yeah it's all a PITA.

 

Yeah, gotta love FL, no emissions BS here either.

 

Here in Ontario we have emissions testing, but it's a sniffer test, and it doesn't matter where the cats are, as long as they're installed.

Funny thing is, I got to see first hand how cats don't do squat to help your emissions.............when I had my '81 Z28 a couple years back, I had to take it for an e-test. Well, it failed, so we installed a pair of cats 'cause I didn't have any in at the time. After they were in, I ran the car down the street in 1st gear to get the exhaust nice and hot, then we ran the car again. It failed worse than without the cats?! So we had to [cough] "adjust the fuel" [/cough] to make it pass But it did, and that was running a pair of LT's and cats on a ~375 HP carbureted 383.