Does anyone know of a brand of headers that is legal in California?
I was told by a friend (who is a mechanic) that the headers need to have a C.A.R stamped on them. Is this true?

Thank for any help.

 

What year F-Body? Makes a difference, because some are approved for single cats, and others for dual cats.

 

I have a 96 z28.

 

In California all your mods must be approved by the California Air Resources Board, or CARB. CARB-approved parts have an ID on them. You must also pass a dyno test where they check your exhaust for too much bad stuff.

96-97 cars (and some 95s) have dual cats, that's why the HP rating went up to 285 for those years. Unfortunately there aren't as many aftermarket options for the dual-cat cars. Last time I checked the only CARB-approved dual-cat headers are:

- Edelbrock TES - 1-5/8", also the primaries have a stepped-tube design which supposedly gives good torque on stock motors but isn't so great with modded ones.

- Hedman TEMS, 1-5/8", no one seems to know anything about these.

- SLP makes some 1-3/4" headers that have quite a following but are very expensive.

From what I've read 1-5/8" headers are great for bolt-on cars but 1-3/4" is preferred once you get into the cam or heads.