Smog Help! - Failed visual because of headers
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From: Bay Area
Car Info: 08 DGM STi
Smog Help! - Failed visual because of headers
Hey everyone
i'm sure you've already seen too many smog threads but please help me out. i went in for a smog test today with stock catted dp, aftermarket cbe and also aftermarket equal length headers. i passed the sniffer but he failed me on the aftermarket headers.
so the guy tells me i can go in for a free retest if i put on the oem headers. but problem is i don't have oem headers anymore.
my options are:
1. can i borrow someone's oem headers for a few days? but this is a major pain in the ***, i'd really like to not swap out the headers.
2. it would be greatly greatly greatly appreciated if someone could inform me of a smog test center that would be willing to overlook aftermarket headers. does it matter if i retest at the same smog center?
thanks!
i'm sure you've already seen too many smog threads but please help me out. i went in for a smog test today with stock catted dp, aftermarket cbe and also aftermarket equal length headers. i passed the sniffer but he failed me on the aftermarket headers.
so the guy tells me i can go in for a free retest if i put on the oem headers. but problem is i don't have oem headers anymore.
my options are:
1. can i borrow someone's oem headers for a few days? but this is a major pain in the ***, i'd really like to not swap out the headers.
2. it would be greatly greatly greatly appreciated if someone could inform me of a smog test center that would be willing to overlook aftermarket headers. does it matter if i retest at the same smog center?
thanks!
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From: San Leandro, CA
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So why didn't you just have your stock skidplate installed, it is impossible for them to see what "headers" you might have with that on...
or are you one of them tards that runs around with it off?...wait, you went to smog with headers in the first place...answered my own question.
or are you one of them tards that runs around with it off?...wait, you went to smog with headers in the first place...answered my own question.
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Where are your OEM headers? Why would you not keep them when you know you're going to be smogged every two years? What did you expect to happen when you smogged the car? Did you do any research at all before putting aftermarket headers on your car? Some of that research should have included determining if the part would pass smog, should it not?
Good luck with your smog, I would suggest swapping out the aftermarket headers for OEM. It's not that much work in the grand scheme of things and it's a great learning experience all around.
-Brian
Good luck with your smog, I would suggest swapping out the aftermarket headers for OEM. It's not that much work in the grand scheme of things and it's a great learning experience all around.
-Brian
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 125
From: Bay Area
Car Info: 08 DGM STi
So why didn't you just have your stock skidplate installed, it is impossible for them to see what "headers" you might have with that on...
or are you one of them tards that runs around with it off?...wait, you went to smog with headers in the first place...answered my own question.
or are you one of them tards that runs around with it off?...wait, you went to smog with headers in the first place...answered my own question.
If the smog shop you went to pulls out a mirror to check your going to the wrong spot, Just saying. Like buying electronics or cars, shop around. FWIW, asking people on an open forum about a lenient smog shop usually will get you nowhere.
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Beat me to it. Just about every smog shop that cares about their license has a mirror and a flashlight.
Last edited by FXTbrah; Feb 26, 2014 at 11:31 AM.
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Sooooo lemme get this straight, you are publically requesting for someone to assist you with circumventing smog laws because you are either too cheap to pay a shop change parts or too lazy to do it yourself? Brilliant! 
It is a header, not a ****ing cross platform JDM swap with a pumpkin size turbo. Borrow an OEM header and offer pizza/beer in exchange for help installing it. Problem solved.
It is a header, not a ****ing cross platform JDM swap with a pumpkin size turbo. Borrow an OEM header and offer pizza/beer in exchange for help installing it. Problem solved.
heck no! i said that on purpose lol
Urban Dictionary: minus whale
Urban Dictionary: minus whale
The DMV will know you failed visual. A different shop passes you they will get checked up on, so don't ruin someone's day.
Borrow what you need and do it right.
I'd say that a black or brown painted header might pass. If its chromoly and shiny, its just a dead giveaway.
Maybe paint + heat shields will do it.
Borrow what you need and do it right.
I'd say that a black or brown painted header might pass. If its chromoly and shiny, its just a dead giveaway.
Maybe paint + heat shields will do it.