Header Question

[Psykodelik]

I checked up on some of the posts about headers and I didn't find the answer I was looking for. My co-worker owns a 1st gen neon and he told me he was going to get headers for his car. Since I(we) live in CA and their strict rules, I told him that they were illegal. He told me there are two types: short and long. I think he said the short ones were legal or vice versa. I would like to know your take on that. Is it true what he said or false. Also, which ones would any of you recommend for me since I live in CA and hopefully pass CA laws (if not a good one at least).

I don't have a high HP goal for my N/A but I would like to have some fun with my friends and stuff. So far just an intake, cat-back and possibly headers.

Thanks for any info.

 

[supraman7mgte]

the only header i found for my 1st 7mge n/a was from Pacesetter.and of course it was illegal as hell as the smog laws did not allow any modifacation of the smog equipment.maybe you could port the existing one to help with the flow. i know your pain,trying to squeeze as much hp as possible out of the n/a. if your interested,i have a HKS twin power ignition module i could let go REAL cheap

 

[supraman7mgte]

what she looked like before she was totalled..RIP

 

[bluemax]

I've got a 7MGE (or at least is used to be) and I did get headers from Toysport. When I openned up the box, it looked almost identical to the stock manifold, except for the collector that needs to be welded on at the end. I don't remember if its a pacesetter or some other brand.
I'd stay with the stock one. I seriously doubt that a header will give you any significant numbers that you can tell. And the trouble, because of the smog laws would probably out weigh any performance gains.

As far as being smog legal in California, any modification to the vehicle, other than by OEM certified parts, must have a State of Californa Executive Order (EO). In order to get it, the manufacturer submits a test and a written report to the State that verifies that the product does not alter emissions. Most big name manufacturers do this for their products unless its sold as "off road only". But due to the cost involved, small manufacturers do not do this. For you the consumer and vehicle owner, all you need is the exemption number and may be a copy of the exemption and product manual to verify the product and product number. The EO can be gotten from the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Automotive Repair web site. Its there somewhere, I've gotten EOs there before.

So it doesn't matter what style header they are, they must still have an EO to be legal. Oh.... and you still have to meet tail pipe emissions. The EO just get you around the visual inpsection. Some areas in CA have tighter emissions standards than others.

Where in CA are you located, Psykodelik?

Any more questions?

 

[iceberg319]

get a thorley header from a 5M and modify the collector, thats what i had

 

[Psykodelik]

Yeah I had a feeling they were. Im probably not going to bother with headers then. Even though it would've been nice to get a few more gain it's not worth it.

I live in LA county.

 

[iceberg319]

btw, thorleys are carb legal

 

[TheGonz420]

where would you get a thorley?

 

[bluemax]

OK
I finally found the Cal State site that has the EOs
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/amquery.php
I didn't see a Mk III Doug Thorley header. There was a Mk III though.
I might have missed it, but I didn't see any headers of any brand for a MkIII or Mk IV.
Check out the site if you want a California State smog legal modification.

 

[bluemax]

Oh.
Here's the site that tells you about the laws about modification of car parts:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/replace.htm
You can legally do a 7MGE to 7MGTE swap or even add a turbo to a non-turbo (NA to T mod). You just have to get it certified by the state referee.

 

[Psykodelik]

Thanks for the info, I'm going to check that out when I get home from work tonight.

Like the previous poster said...know where I can get headers?

I know I can do a swap but I can wait. I'd like to drive this one more and get to know my supra better so if anything arises I can do it myself or at least not get screwed over by mechanics.

 

[bluemax]

Toysport in Gardena (South Bay) specializes in Toyota cars. They're a motorsports shop and build Toyota cars for street and track racing. But they don't deal a lot in Mk IIIs so they don't really know a lot about them. They should be able to get headers or just about anything available.

There's a place in Hollywood that does MkIIIs, MR2s, older Zs and BMWs. I forget what the name of the place is. They might be able to get headers. But they specialize in serious engine builds, so headers on a Mk III might not be their cup of tea.

You probably can get headers at your local Honda motorsports shop if they carry the brand you want.

Where in LA are you?

 

[Psykodelik]

Cool, thanks for the info. I haven't been able to check the site you posted (ARB), been busy with work and my finals. I live in West Covina. You?

 

[bluemax]

I'm in Fountain Valley. That's Orange County.

You should use caution around where you are. I have a friend who lives in Covina. There's a lot of muscle cars out there, including my friend.
I talked to a friend of his one day at his house. He has a built turbo 240. He said he was pulled over for excessive noise by the Sheriffs one day. So he had to go to a referee station to get his exhaust tested for noise.
And one day last year I was in West Covina and the Sheriffs had a road block and were checking all the vehicles for I think immigration.