Are headers illegal?

[Mitchell3]

I searched here and didnt see anything on this question, however I am assuming it isnt that big of a concern considering some of the people on here are running headers? However, on other forums I've seen in places its illegal to have headers for emissions. Is it or isn't it or are there ways around it? I've been toying with the idea that maybe down the road id consider it.

[stevenma188]

Any modification to the emissions system is illegal.....
There are ways around it, O2 sensor defouler, relocating the cat, etc etc.

[iGOzoom]

got one for sale if your interested ;) lol

[Hyperion]

got one for sale if your interested ;) lol

I've been contemplating yours for a long time.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I had my car, with header, checked on the way to a CSCS at one of those road side dealies.

I was fine.

[Kiyomi]

I had my car, with header, checked on the way to a CSCS at one of those road side dealies.

I was fine.

then you were lucky because they couldnt tell between the stock vs an aftermarket one. even if they did say something, you could always try and pull that its a speed version and has special oem parts lolz. I also heard they had no issue with your ride height. how can that be? :D

[thanu31]

as long as u have a cat u shud be able to get away with it.

only when you remove the cat, u run a risk if they decide to inspect your car


my 3 was inspected a few times last summer but luckily they didnt do the mirror test to catch me with no cat

[mParsonz]

With the new etest system in place its all through the obd2.. So basically if you have your engine light on your screwed. As long as the system has no leaks and there isn't an o2 code thrown or anything your fine. I mean some shops are going to be asses about it, but odds are you'll be fine 100% of the time, especially in Kitchener

[Dave_The_BMXER]

then you were lucky because they couldnt tell between the stock vs an aftermarket one. even if they did say something, you could always try and pull that its a speed version and has special oem parts lolz. I also heard they had no issue with your ride height. how can that be? :D

My car passes emissions though (or passed it's last one anyway) and I still have one cat.

As for ride height I don't rub lock to lock on my summers (seriously).

[Mitchell3]

Thanks everyone for the clarification..

as long as u have a cat u shud be able to get away with it.

only when you remove the cat, u run a risk if they decide to inspect your car


my 3 was inspected a few times last summer but luckily they didnt do the mirror test to catch me with no cat


So the cat on my corksport exhaust will likely be sufficient then?

[TheMAN]

the stock manifold has a cat converter part of it... if you get rid of it for a header, you get rid of the cat... so that means it's illegal... the stock manifold design is fairly efficient anyway (not skyactiv efficient, but good enough)
does that sound clear to you?

[Mitchell3]

the stock manifold has a cat converter part of it... if you get rid of it for a header, you get rid of the cat... so that means it's illegal... the stock manifold design is fairly efficient anyway (not skyactiv efficient, but good enough)
does that sound clear to you?

I understand that part of it, I thought there were two cats though, that one and the one in the exhaust. What Im asking is the one in the exhaust enough. Sorry if I am missing something obvious I just dont have a lot of knowledge of this stuff.

[Rob23]

I understand that part of it, I thought there were two cats though, that one and the one in the exhaust. What Im asking is the one in the exhaust enough. Sorry if I am missing something obvious I just dont have a lot of knowledge of this stuff.

The stock exhaust also has a cat. I was told by jimmy today if you get a vibrant header it will delete the cat in the manifold. He said you have about 50/50 chance of passing emissions.

[Mitchell3]

The stock exhaust also has a cat. I was told by jimmy today if you get a vibrant header it will delete the cat in the manifold. He said you have about 50/50 chance of passing emissions.

Thanks, thats what I was getting at. And probably less chances since its a corksport cat and not stock.

[thanu31]

Under the table tests ;)

[peterm15]

Under the table tests ;)

Is that even possible now?

[Rob23]

Thanks, thats what I was getting at. And probably less chances since its a corksport cat and not stock.

with my vibrant exhaust (replaces origonal cat with a high-flow cat) and a vibrant header, he said would be 50/50. So I'd assume yours would be the same.
Im also contemplating getting one.

[mazdasport]

from what i know about the MTO is actually agianst the Law to modifiy your exhuast system in anyway because it is an emission control device if the cop or whoever pulls you over is really having a bad day you could be in trouble from what i understand and the fines go up to something like 5 grand or something crazy what you need to do is get your car registered up north so you can run without e test and use studded tires:D

[Hyperion]

from what i know about the MTO is actually agianst the Law to modifiy your exhuast system in anyway because it is an emission control device if the cop or whoever pulls you over is really having a bad day you could be in trouble from what i understand and the fines go up to something like 5 grand or something crazy what you need to do is get your car registered up north so you can run without e test and use studded tires:D

Why would I use studded tires on roads that are plowed 99% of the time?

[Dave_The_BMXER]

If there is nothing else wrong with your car you will pass with one cat.

The ONLY time my car failed was when my remaining cat also failed.

*With the old test, I currently have a CEL which is an auto fail for the new tests but I can just fix that.

[Migeta22]

I currently have a CEL which is an auto fail for the new tests but I can just fix that.

how do you fix a CEL? I need to do my emissions within the next 2 weeks and I have Vibrant Headers and Vibrant exhaust with a CEL.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Beats me lol. It's on my to do list.

[Hyperion]

It could be your O2 sensor needs to be pulled further out of the stream

[Mitchell3]

Bumping this thread. I actually have a header now but have been contemplating getting it installed for months. How exactly do you whom have headers go about it? Do you really just run the 50/50 risk on e-tests? I was thinking going stock for the tests, and who knows maybe I'd be tired of it by then anyway but I guess that's not as easy or economical as I thought. I'm not sure if just swapping back to stock exhaust for the test is better.

Steven mentioned ways around it like an O2 Defouler or relocating the cat when I originally posted this. Has anyone done this? Is the expensive to have done? If it were inspected if I was pulled over am I just as screwed as if I hadn't bothered?

Thanks.

I still have the cat back exhaust.

[Kiyomi]

as long as there is no cel, you should pass the e-test. hence its not actually testing the fumes that come out of your car. just reroute your second o2 behind your second cat, and its enough of a change to fool it.