UEL header and smog

[r3v_v3ng3]

I'm due for a smog in a month and wondering if anyone has ever pass smog with unequal length header. I know visually it won't pass but want to know if it pass the reading. The reason is that I have an 05 wrx turbo subframe and it'll require me to cut/notch 2 sides of the subframe. Right now it has the stock converters/exhaust system so just the uel header.

[chuckthefuk]

I've passed the Canadian version of the smog/sniffer test with flying colors with all brands of UEL / EL .. and with/without high-flow cats.

I am not sure why your visual inspection will fail when the headers look pretty stock and just as rusty after 500 miles.

..

Currently in Canadia we just adopted the same emissions test standards as Buffalo which uses the OBDII port to check for emissions codes and general codes + 3 x pictures sent to the DMV/MOT (government) + Vin number + ECU serial number. But no probe/smog/sniffer!

If the car is pre-obdii it gets put on the rollers and sniffed.

Hope that helps
-Chuck

[GTDrifter]

With headers there shouldn't be an issue. Its when you remove your cats that some states get pissed about. My fiances outback has had a bad cat for a while and a cel to prove it but right before inspection I installed an oxygen sensor spacer on the back o2 sensor and cleared the cel and it passed

[Wiscon_Mark]

I don't know why UEL headers would cause you to fail a sniffer type test, or a computer test.

[r3v_v3ng3]

@ chuck - Yeah I looked under my bro gc and his uel header looks exactly like the rest of the exhuast system. Over here in California, they can't put it on the rollers because its AWD. They basically sniff it at idle and 2.5k rpm.

@ GT and mark - I know it will pass, I guess I just needed some assurance lol. I have the same thinking like when I used to put carb legal header on a honda back then and it will just barely pass. The smog tech told me that the reason was that the header tubing was thinner and different metal therefore had a hard time warming up the converter as oppose to the cast iron header. AWD car is actually easier to pass smog over here because its just the idle and 2.5k rpm sniff test while a FWD/RWD they put it on the dyno.

Thanks all for the responce

[r3v_v3ng3]

On a side note..... anyone pass the sniffer test with a high flow fuel pump? Walbro 255lph to be exact.

Sorry I'm just being lazy to swap the pump lol

[chuckthefuk]

Fuel pumps only pressurize the system.. they are limited by the injectors, fuel pressure regulator and ecu parameters. So no it wont make a difference and yes you will pass.

[Bhatman]

In CA they only care about one thing = CEL's and passing smog. Your car could be falling apart and if the emission systems are running...all good.

[Wiscon_Mark]

@ GT and mark - I know it will pass, I guess I just needed some assurance lol. I have the same thinking like when I used to put carb legal header on a honda back then and it will just barely pass. The smog tech told me that the reason was that the header tubing was thinner and different metal therefore had a hard time warming up the converter as oppose to the cast iron header. AWD car is actually easier to pass smog over here because its just the idle and 2.5k rpm sniff test while a FWD/RWD they put it on the dyno.

I would imagine this is more of a problem if your car wasn't warmed up prior to the test. Ceramic coating & wrapping would probably also fix the issue.

[r3v_v3ng3]

Just an update. Passed smog but barely
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/04/null_zpse0051f5a-1.jpg (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/r3v_v3ng3/media/null_zpse0051f5a.jpg.html)

The walbro fuel pump is the culprit. IIRC more volume, same restriction = more pressure.
Oh well, all it matters is that it passed and don't have to deal with it for 2 more years :grin:

That explains my ~18mpg on the city and ~30mpg on the freeway lol

[WESTcoast]

haha good you got to this because I was going to let you know that I passed with flying colors haha

[r3v_v3ng3]

Nice! Sounds like your car is back on the road. Yeah i just smogged the BK parts car and it also passed with flying color. Had like 0 HC and 0 CO%