Can someone shed some light what's street legal?

[ramsee1]

Hi all. I've read so many posts on here and disclaimers on manufacture's websites that my head is spinning. Obviously every state has it's own emissions and inspections rules, but what exhaust modifications are street legal? Can I add headers, y-pipe and new cat back? Are all the original exhaust components on the FJ necessary? Please feel free to share what gains you've noticed from your mods. Any help would be appreciated! I'm in NJ by the way.

[layonnn]

Most cat-backs are legal everywhere.
The y-pipe that removes your two catalytic converters is illegal in every state.
I am not sure about headers.
Most times, you will not get pulled over by a cop for the sound, unless it is loud as all get out (think 502 crate engine with no muffler).

[FJCamel]

Layton nailed it there, just to add, JBA headers are legal and are very reliable and FJoel is the man to talk to about those. I have a Doug thorley Long tubes which are illegal, NOISY but i like it. If i did not want noise, and most power and Legality, i would of went with JBA from Fjoel

[FJ Tex]

i'd like to add a "?" also. how many of these things are resonators? which are they? why are the doug Thoreys Illegal? also i understand that headders reduce torque, are there any that do not? i guess thats like 4 "?" but there they are.

[Toledo FJ]

The DT long tube headers are illegal because they remove the pre-cats. You pretty much can't mess with emissions equipment and remain street legal.

Headers don't reduce torque. They may change where in the powerband you get your peak torque, but the raw number will go up with HP and torque. Check out these Dyno sheets from JBA to see how their headers and exhaust impact HP and TQ.

Anything that says it is CARB certified is legal everywhere as far as I know.

I don't know how you would possibly get busted for running illegal gear unless you live somewhere where inspections are required. I have, however, been told that removing Cats and the such are Felony offenses. If thats true, it would really suck to get busted and be a convicted felon for something so silly.

I'm running the JBA shorty headers, JBA exhaust, and TRD Cold Air Intake. As bolt on mods, you will notice the performance improvements for sure. To really get the most out of these, I added a Unichip which made it even better. Then I had that chip Custom tuned and it is awesome. I posted the Dyno results in the forum. Search Unichip and you'll find it.

The Y-pipe is illegal everywhere so unless your FJ is just for the trail, no luck there. If you run the same setup I have, you'll dig it.

[Cannysage]

in cali, any exhaust components is illegal. this include headers, testpipes, exhaust, intakes

[DocME]

Cannysage previously said:

in cali, any exhaust components is illegal. this include headers, testpipes, exhaust, intakes

Ok, ok, LOL. That's just not true. Via the California Air Resource Board:

"Exempted parts are add-on or modified parts that have undergone an ARB engineering evaluation. If the part or modification is shown to not increase vehicle emissions, it is granted an exemption to emission control system anti-tampering laws. This exemption is called an Executive Order (EO) and allows the modification to be installed on specific emission controlled vehicles. Every Executive Order part or modification has an assigned number that can be verified by Smog Check stations, BAR Referee stations, or by the ARB."

Granted, California has the most stringent vehicle modification laws. So much so that other state's have adopted California's rules and will require C.A.R.B numbers for mods. However, they aren't illegal, they are granted EO's. When in doubt, just stick to the parts with C.A.R.B. EO numbers.

Hope this helps.
-Doc

[cruiserlarry]

Cannysage previously said:

in cali, any exhaust components is illegal. this include headers, testpipes, exhaust, intakes

You are 100% wrong.

Any component the has a California Air Resources Board (CARB) exemption order number is legal for use on the street as a replacement for OEM components. Several manufacturers offer headers, CAIs, filters, Cat-Back systems, superchargers, programmers, ignitions, etc., that are perfectly legal in California, and all of the other 49 states. The part must have the exemption order on it (except cat-back systems - they come after emissions equipment and do not require the exemption order).

A test pipe is exactly what it sounds like - a pipe used in place of a catalytic converter to test if the converter is good or not. It is used by licensed shops for diagnosis, and is not legal for use on the street.

If you are concerned as to the legality of a part (and I think you should be), you can contact the manufacturer and ask for the CARB exemption order number, or contact the Dept of Motor Vehicles in your state.

And remember, just because a part is legal, that doesn't mean it cannot affect your warranty - it just means it won't affect your emissions...

[DocME]

You can pull the EO numbers or verify them here

Database: Aftermarket Parts Database of Executive Orders

If you are so inclined.

[chiefbigred]

Well, the only thing I can think of as an issue here, regardless of legality, is what to do with the two Oxy sensors along the pipe? Somehow you need to trick them so the gas mixture isn't too lean. I am pretty sure (not 100%, as I am not an engineer) that if the O2 sensors pick up dirty exhaust because of no cat, those O2 sensors are going to cut back on your fuel mixture.