Was wondering if the Ford Racing Hi-Flow Shorty Headers are California street legal. Also want to make sure I wont have any smog problems.

normally they are legal unless they have a * after the description. so if it has a * it is illegal.
I think the * is only relevant in FRPP catalog, not sure though. :dunno:

alright, dont see any * looking at the Summit racing page

They should meet CARB certifications. As long as you do remove any emissions specific equipment (i.e. EGR or catalytic convertors) you should be fine.

Yup, Scott is right

thats what i was thinking cant touch those darn cats

buy Bassani high Flow cats, they are the only brand high flow cat that is legal and provides a reasonable gain, sure others are legal but present a low hp gain.

have to take a look. See if I can find some.

Yah, well worth the money. Try bassanixhaust.com

whats the expected HP gain on those headers, the Ford Racing Headers.

Just talked to the local muffler shop. He said that it would be a waste to buy the Ford Racing Headers because they are basically just like the stock one's. He said he wouldnt touch them unless I had a leak and I needed to replace them. I was just reading different articles about how they are an easy way to add a lot of HP though, so Im confused. He said that unless I want to remove all the cats which can be a $5000 fine per removed cat and are serious about racing dont bother, because my airflow would go from headers to stock cats to a mid pipe and then to flowmaster, which would do me no good. I know about the airflow issues due to the cats, but is this true about the headers?

Tell the guy at the shop he is full of BS. The ford racing headers will present a louder sound level (throatier) and will gain about 15 flywheel hp. a Ful Bassani exhaust (3 inch dual) would be great for HP. I figure 20-40hp gain with a full exhaust consisting of hi flow cats.

Call a performance shop in the state, there should be plenty in the bay area and L.A. area. The performance shop will tell you if you get the headers and an x-pipe with cats if you will still be legal. You can do like I was thinking about doing, put on the bassani x-pipe with cats right after your inspection, keep the factory ones and swap them out for inspections. I bought the Bassani x-pipe with cats (2 cats instead of the 6 cats on the stock pipe) and you can feel the gain. As for headers......I've been told by my local shop that unless you open up the x-pipe/catback exhaust pipes the headers won't do alot. I got my x-pipe after alot of shopping around at Proficient Performance.com, the best price and free shipping. The headers will give you more power and shouldn't effect your state emission laws, the cats are the big issue there. I'm from California and that's why I'm never going back. :nice:

Here just a few places not too far from you. One of them should have the answer. Good Luck!!!

17.96 miles
CALIFORNIA MUSTANG
19400 SAN JOSE AVE, ROWLAND HEIGHTS, CA 91748
Phone: (909) 598-3383

20.49 miles
WEST COVINA MUSTANG
1400 W MERCED AVE, WEST COVINA, CA 91790
Phone: (626) 960-8288

22.48 miles
ORANGE COUNTY MUSTANG CLUB
4945 E WESTFIELD CT, ANAHEIM, CA 92807
Phone: (714) 998-7269

thanks much, i will start looking into that.

jba cat forward headers are carb legal. get those and some high flow cats.