matt33

Hi all,

I was planning to get headers for my 965 and the shop (porsche specialist that I rate highly) have told me they are illegal.

Now I appreciate the potential for smog testing issues, but didnt suspect any more than a sports cat or silencer bypass.

Is it really the case that you cant get away with after market headers for the smog test??

Thanks
Matt

PorscheDude1

Do they have a CARB#?

matt33

I dont know, the B&B site doesnt say. Is that a measure of how efficiently the headers control carbon emissions?

pete000

Everything on the exhaust forward of the Cat is off limits in Ca!

Indycam

CARB = california air resource board .
If you want to put a part on a pollution controlled car in california , it needs to pass the carb test .
Once it has passed the test , then it will have a carb number .

1990-964

Unfortunately not,

The CARB E.O.# is issued to a product that has undergone testing and deemed to be an approved replacement to an oem part. I sincerely doubt that the headers have been through the test process, if so then great but if not then you may want to rethink it. Or you can swap it out every two years.

Indycam

"Everything on the exhaust forward of the Cat is off limits in Ca!"
Some headers for some cars have carb numbers .

Bosal Ceramic Coated Headers
1.5 / 1.6 Civic, 88 - 91 All Models. CARB Approved - 1.5 / 1.6 Civic 92 - 95, All Models - CARB Approved to 95, 1.6L 96 - 99 Civic EX Only

pete000

I just assumed we were talking about the Porsche 964 and not all automobiles sold in the state of CA.

1pcarnut

When I bought my 91 965 it came with a full GHL system, header, cat, and muffler, and passed smog here in CA. Sorry I know that doesn't completely answer your question but I was extremely pleased with the way the car ran so if the B&B doesn't work out consider the GHL. Now it could be that they aren't certified either and the smog tech. just didn't notice when he did the visual inspection. ymmv.

cobalt

Same here. My turbo came with B&B headers with cat still installed. I have paperwork showing it passed CA smog. For the N/A cars There is no way to retain the cat so I can only assume they would not be legal.

pete000

Sometimes you can get lucky with a smog check guy who is clueless.

I think it is absurd that if the car can pass at the tail pipe who gives a heck what's in front of the exhaust tip !