Long tube headers and NC inspection?

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

So are long tubes just flat out illegal in NC? Will they fail inspection?

I'm looking at long tubes with hi flow cats and x-pipe. Then a retune on the dyno. The O2 sensors would not be defeated or any of the polution controls (AIR,EGR,PCV,etc) so it should pass the sniffer test if required.

I hate to use shorty headers but will if it is the only street legal option.

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:28 pm

I've never heard that before Graham. I've got friends who have LTH on their Mustangs and as far as I know, they don't have any inspection problems.

Where did you hear that it is illegal?

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Sat Sep 02, 2006 2:57 pm

I think as long as you don't remove any emissions equipment (ie. the cat) and the OBDII port says "burning clean and green", you're fine. In fact, it shouldn't be too hard to find a shop that doesn't even look for the stuff, just checks the port.

That's sort of what I'm planning to try with the Spyder, anyway.

--Donnie

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

Todd. In some states LTH are illegal, like the The Peoples Republik of Kalifornia and a few other states have joined in. Mainly because it pushes the cat farther back and is said to increases emissions.

Donnie, yeah I know a station that will not even look under my car. He just plugs into the ODB and if it says clean you're done. But people he doesn't know he will put the car on the lift. I just wanted to verify the legality part.

George Bright · **Posted:** Sat Sep 02, 2006 6:20 pm

As an inspector we are supposed to look and see that the equipment is there. As long as you have no check engine light you should be good to go. Do not clear the codes before you go. OBD has to have passed it's systems ready tests before you can pass the state inspection.

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Street legal. Heh. Just get some OBD-II cheaters. You can smell how rich a *cough* friend's car is running and it passed no problemo.

George Bright · **Posted:** Sat Sep 02, 2006 8:04 pm

Wes Eargle wrote:

Street legal. Heh. Just get some OBD-II cheaters. You can smell how rich a *cough* friend's car is running and it passed no problemo.

I failed cars that came in with OBD -II cheaters and no cats.

WalterHouston · **Posted:** Tue Sep 05, 2006 8:18 am

You just need to know where to go! :wink:

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Long tube headers and NC inspection?

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