headers + inspection
 

i am about to install a pair of hooker competition shorty headers and i am going to plug the a.i.r. lines from the smog pump too, will this have a problem with inspection here in NJ (the smog pump doesnt work anyway and doesnt have a belt going to it and it still passes)

also how good are aluminum header gaskets? i bought a pair at my local speed shop cuz i was told they were the best, should i have gone with copper?

lastly, getting ready to throw these headers in, is there any advice i should have for this? or just have at it?

thanks,
-brian

Shouldn't have a problem. I think the AIR system only works on cold starts. So as long as you warm your car up before hand. I took mine through state inspection and it went through without any problems.

The only problem I remember when installing my headers were the rear bolts and spark plugs on the passenger side, it was a little tight trying to work by the blower case. And the directions that came with my headers said "modification to A/C bracket may be needed". I'm not sure about the gasket material but I remember hearing somewhere that the Aluminum gaskets are supposed to compress and form to the port a little better. Hopefully I'm thinking of the same material.

you shouldnt fail unless you gut the cat

well ive replaced the cat with an electronic 3" cut out for it, essentially making it a test pipe...but i flanged it in so that when inspection comes around i can just throw it in right quick

and i sholdnt have any problems with inspection? they dont look for the spider lines at all?

never had them do an underhood inspection on any car ive taken through and all they have ever done was a quick sweep with a mirror to check muff and see if a cat is there.

Depends on what station you go to. Older stuff they tend to raise the hood and check, newer OBDII they just plug in the computer. They usually stick the mirror underneath to check for a cat or cats.

If they do an under hood inspection they might fail you for it, but that's hit or miss. I've never had an under hood done on any of my (Pre OBDII) cars.

- Justin

i went to the eatontown inspection station last time and they did an underhood inspection....nearly blew up my motor revving it up too (theyre fags) and almost rammed my car into a miata cuz they were flooring it down the inspection line...i filed a complaint against them all