Are Long Tube Headers Legal In Texas?
#3
Pro
No!
From a legal standpoint no long tube headers is "legal" for on-road use if it removes or moves the factory cat. Tampering with a vehicles emission system is illegal in all 50 states
#6
Race Director
#8
Drifting
Member Since: Aug 2001
Location: SANTA MARIA,CA. formerly Magnolia Texas
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
#9
Race Director
#10
Drifting
Member Since: Nov 2001
Location: Rowlett TX
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Texas Vehicle Inspection
Here is a link for the "Exhaust Emission System inspection 20.14".
Concerning catalytic converters, it states:
Exhaust Emission System Inspection Procedure:
Concerning catalytic converters, it states:
On 1984 and later model light truck and passenger vehicles, the catalytic converter will be checked for presence and leakage.
1. Inspection Procedure. Examine visually.
2. Inspect for and reject if:
a. The exhaust emission system has been removed.
b. The exhaust emission system has been disconnected.
c. The plumbing or hoses are loose, broken, leaking, or improperly routed.
d. Air pump (air injection-type) belt is loose, removed, excessively cracked, frayed or has pieces missing.
e. The exhaust emission system has been altered in any manner to make it ineffective.
f. The catalytic converter has been removed, leaking, or disconnected on a 1984 or later model vehicle.
2. Inspect for and reject if:
a. The exhaust emission system has been removed.
b. The exhaust emission system has been disconnected.
c. The plumbing or hoses are loose, broken, leaking, or improperly routed.
d. Air pump (air injection-type) belt is loose, removed, excessively cracked, frayed or has pieces missing.
e. The exhaust emission system has been altered in any manner to make it ineffective.
f. The catalytic converter has been removed, leaking, or disconnected on a 1984 or later model vehicle.
#13
Instructor
Maybe someone should just call a local inspection shop and ask...
(My inspection is due this month so I'll ask when I'm there.)
I do not beleive they look very hard during the inspection as long as there are cats present and you pass the ODBII test.
I nornally get my car inspected at the dealership (Austin) and at least a couple of the service techs there with Corvettes actually have long tubes and NO cats...
(My inspection is due this month so I'll ask when I'm there.)
I do not beleive they look very hard during the inspection as long as there are cats present and you pass the ODBII test.
I nornally get my car inspected at the dealership (Austin) and at least a couple of the service techs there with Corvettes actually have long tubes and NO cats...
#14
Racer
Member Since: May 2004
Location: Sugar Land TX
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08
It shouldn't be an issue...I had my ride inspected Feb. '08 in Houston with no questions or hassles. I have long tube headers with high flow cats and a Borla 2 tip Stinger exhaust.
#16
Instructor
Member Since: May 2006
Location: Frisco TX
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I know of few Dallas area vettes with long tubes and no cats that have passed inspection. I am pretty sure Dallas county has adopted the California standards for emissions. However, most of the local inspectors just check the cars computer to see if it has any fault codes. The inspectors / techs have never looked under my car to see if it had cats or not. However, if the car sounds really loud, they might look. Anyhow, you can investigate using O2 simulators to keep from throwing any fault codes. I am installing hi-flow cats (3" thunderbolt metalic) in my X pipe tomorrow. Of course most of you know this, but the cats help to convert carbon monoxide to CO2. Carbon monoxide combines with H20 to make Carbonic Acid (i.e. acid rain). Since I have a little girl, I want to do my part to help maintain the env.
#20
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: Big Bend Country, TX
Posts: 29,114
Received 2,186 Likes
on
1,337 Posts
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Kind of profiling aren't you ? What makes you think that just because someone works at an inspection station that he or she is a high school drop out ?