CA Smog, to add LT's or not. Seeking advice

Dang. Thanks for the advice fellas. So basically the best bet is to keep all smog equipment which I plan on doing. LT's would pass the sniffer maybe with a decent tune...but fail the visual depending on where I go. I will just assume 99.9% will fail me for the visual If I had LT's even if I retained cats + all other smog equipment. Another option is to possibly get a small cam. Doesn't LE do a custom grind to those specs. Basically a smog legal grind he does for Cali folk? I have to reconsider my options here. I do want to go with the x pipe set up still maybe just scratch the LT's. But that's another issue if I don't have the exhaust run all the way back. I'm sure a dumped exhaust would also warrant a failed visual. Damn you Cali...

Guess I need a new parts list. LT's every two years does sound like a pain in the ass. And no one makes mids anymore. I kept hearing that AS&M's mids were the best or closest to LT's in performance and design..MAC would be good too but who knows where to find these anymore. Just used ones I guess. Hmm plus I would need some smog legal cats with a CARB number im sure. I don't even think high flows will cut it. Decisions decisions. I appreciate all the help. Let me put this out there. All I really want is a fun street toy/weekend warrior say close to 330rwhp. I need some parts to get me there while remaining smog friendly. That's bolt ons a small cam and a tune. Bolt ons being my suspension which is almost done need lca's plus relos and a phb. That's to get it to hook. And the exhaust situation to figure out what headers brand cats brand etc. Ditch the 2.5" x pipe with powersticks (which I think would sound pretty damm good) for a catback or run the x anyways with proper clearance and to the back. Ls1 type lid...plus some other stuff. Idk sorry for the long post lol im about to head to work so i wanted to get everything out now so hopefully I get some responses to most of my questions by the end of the day. Can't be on my phone while trying to sell furniture lol thanks guys!


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BBK headers are smog legal as I recall...

Pacesetter, Edelbrock and BBK also make CA legal headers that are considered mids. Two of those are still found readily. As for the cats, you don't have much choice there either. Magnaflow makes a universal 50 state cat as well as a more expensive option with the whole cat/y-pipe assembly. The cost in general is outrageous for a 50 state cat compared to every other option.

I was under the assumption that those smog legal headers were "shorties" more so than "mids" but I could be wrong. The age old battle LT's vs Mids has been discussed time and time again. I have read up on plenty of threads and I will be okay goin with a mid. Cats like McCauley said are gonna be pretty limited. I have to read into the magnaflow cats to see what the 50 state legal headers are all about. Maybe you get a carb sticker like K&N and other various aftermarket part manufacturers give in order to run the part. I'm gonna read up on the smog regulations and really get polished up on the facts. Ultimately I want to have a setup that gives moderate power N/A no bottles or FI. College kid with 2 jobs and a budget here lol. Its gotta be pretty reliable I do enjoy cruising with the car club out to the valley or up north to the city SF etc. But this wont be a daily driver anymore. My 93 Toyota pickup is the new daily. I feel like the smog legal cam plus the bolt ons x pipe for exhaust should do the trick. And a decent tune. That's up for debate tho. Idk where to go in that area. I have a few things to look into

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Thank you guys for the feedback thus far!

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I'm basically in the same boat. My Z is no longer a DD so I am pushing the limits of smog legality more. If you were looking at a mail order tune, these are the ones to consider:
@sweet-94z28 (LTXtech), Solomon (lt1pcmtuning), Bryan Herter (pcmforless), Moe Bailey (MoeHorsepower), Ed Wright (Fastchip) and MadTuner.

Alright. So I guess im gonna go with a new exhaust setup which was primarily what this thread was about. So i can retain smog legality and i dont have to worry about changing my exhaust every two years and also so i dont have to worry about getting harassed by da Popo. I will focus on a small build and refresh of my old LT1 with a new smog legal cam probably a custom grind from LE and stick to bolt ons. I dont think my budget will allow for head work. I will see. But a stout 330-350rwhp cam only LT1 car sounds pretty fun. Plus it will be smog legal. Most guys around here put LT's on use em for two years and instead of pullin em off just sell the whole car when it comes time to smog. Then someone else gets to deal with the headache.


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Hope I can give my buddy a good run for his money. Ls1 M6 Formula with just a SLP Lid vs a soon to be full bolt on LT1. Either way LTx with an xpipe dumped should sound godly. Lol I just want to slap on my new exhaust.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by SJx408

Hope I can give my buddy a good run for his money. Ls1 M6 Formula with just a SLP Lid vs a soon to be full bolt on LT1. Either way LTx with an xpipe dumped should sound godly. Lol I just want to slap on my new exhaust.

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Your friend might be in for quite a surprise!
Post up what happens and I for one look forward to hearing all about it.

Most definitely I will. It may not happen until mid summer. But it should be fun either way. The Z may see a trip to Sonoma raceway as well. I'll have to wait and see. LTx FTW

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