California Vetters help

[Chris Sanchez]

Hey gang! Does anyone know of any manufacturer that makes C.A.R.B legal headers for the L48 (1981)? I seem to be drawing a complete blank. I have the 4 into 1 stock manifolds and have been told that they provide decent performance but I am looking at some fairly extensive repairs to them and I wanted to explore my options to go with a little better performing exhaust system including headers. Do I have a good legal option or am I just
Thanks,
Chris

 

[silver 80]

I don't think there any Cali C3 vettes here? Hmmmmmm you must be the only one welcome to the CAC.
I would recommend that you look at jegs or try looking up some companies on the web and maybe call them and ask?
tom in Wisco

 

[bossvette]

the west coast should be coming online soon, I would think any of the major companies like hooker or edelbrock would have them.
good luck

 

[Chris Sanchez]

Thanks Tom,
I have already been working the websites for Hooker, Hedman, Sanderson and Edelbrock as well as a few others. I think the next step is to actually start making phone calls and see if I can find something out that way. I suspect that any other Cal. C3 owners out there might be rolling their eyes and whistling innocently. Because of California's :nono gov't. Thanks for the input. I'll post again if I learn anything interesting.
Chris

 

[silver 80]

Chris,
yea maybe but they could have aleast e-mailed you. I'll let this go. I just don't feel that any post should go unanswered even if it's just a bump up to the top message,.

 

[Ken]

I'm surprised that more Californians haven't chimed in yet Chris, must be because the weather's so nice this weekend and they're all out playing. :cool

I am not much help to you either, because mine wouldn't pass a visual even in Puerto Rico, let alone California! :L

I figure this is the last year because I'll be hit with a smog check next year and I ain't gonna swap motors again. Maybe it'll be off-road only next.

Hey that's it! A Jesse James Mud Bogger!

 

[bossvette]

smog test, whats that:L

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Having grown up in CA...I don't think headers are legal at all except for off-road use only. They certainly wouldn't pass a visual. As for the 2-1-2 exhaust system, I can't see any benefit in installing headers with the 2-1-2 unless the pipes are increased in diameter.
You may need to wait a few years until your '81 reaches exempt status.
I couldn't wait to get out of CA to change my exhaust!
Heidi

 

[Yoda]

Thanks Tom,
I have already been working the websites for Hooker, Hedman, Sanderson and Edelbrock as well as a few others. I think the next step is to actually start making phone calls and see if I can find something out that way. I suspect that any other Cal. C3 owners out there might be rolling their eyes and whistling innocently. Because of California's :nono gov't. Thanks for the input. I'll post again if I learn anything interesting.
Chris

Chris,

Have you been to the new shop there in Roseville/Auburn I don't recall the name of the Corvette Shop, but BLACKDOG a friend of mine has been there and has only good things to say about them. Another shop I've used is in Vacaville "Vette-Express" if you call them ask for JOE.

I've "heard" of 1980 owners having headers, even the CA 1980, which would be very similar to our L81 having headers, but I've never seen one.

It might take a special or modified set of headers to accomodate all the emissions junk, O2 sensor, and tubes for the emissions, but a good muffler shop can probably modify a set to work correctly. Next would be the state boys and if it passes their inspection.

Auburn is just up the road from Modesto, give me a shout sometime and we can hook up with a few others around here. Be sure to check out the Events Forums, "SouthWest" toward the bottom of the forums page too .

 

[Chris Sanchez]

Wow, Thanks for the info!
I will see if I can find out where that shop in Roseville is for sure and I work half the week in the bay area so I will check out the vette shop as well! I just got the car running last night but I have to replace the Pass. side eshaust manifold gaskets today. Then I'm gonna run a couple tanks of Chevron through it and steam clean it from top to bottom. Once that's done and it's smogged then I can really start to get to work bringing it up to snuff. I'll post some pics fairly soon, I've just been to busy playing with it to take pictures Once she's road worthy I'd love to hook up with some other enthusiasts in the area! Thanks again for the response and since this seems to be such a difficult issue (smog legal in Ca.) I will continue to post any info I get on the subject.
Chris

 

[WhalePirot]

S.uck M.oney O.utta G.uys'cars check?

U R entering the headache zone. I found similar issues with my C-4. One has to ask around as the certified techs are quite varied in ability and knowledge. The also have BigBrother looking and checking on them; having sent some to jail for falsifying data.

I was (quietly) told to use any CARB number for headers and get what was available, with the proper fittings, of course. While a sticker with the CARB numbers is supposed to be pasted under the hood, I found that mentioning that I had them all in the folder I brought, was enough. My car passed both the visual and the sniff; everything is installed and works.

The AIR pipes are the biggie, it seems, from a visual inspection point, and it excludes many header sets. The demand for sets, such as you seek, must be low enough to not justify spending the $50k to get them certified on your model.

Good luck!

 

[BiggBrakefuelie]

I`m not 100% sure but I was looking into getting headers about a year ago and a race shop here told me Hedman made smog legal headers.I decided against it because it wasn`t worth the stress to me of worrying about it.
Good luck!

 

[BLACKDOG]

Hi Chris. Check with CORVETTE CARE in Rancho Cordova.
(916-638-1911) ask for Dick. Their shop is just east of Sunrise, I think a block north of White Rock. They did some work on my '80 last spring, and is the best Vette shop I've seen so far.
A few of us Sharksters are going up to some Vette celebration on the 18th at some car museum in Sacto?? Yoda has the info on it - shoot him an IM and he'll get the info to you and maybe we can hook up.
If not then, somewhere after winter departs !!

the DawG

 

[Chris Sanchez]

Thanks for the references gang! I will be following them all up later this week. Unfortunately I have to spend the next few days concentrating on the stuff that will pay for my new toy. God, i haven't had a list like this for years....lessee...Edelbrock intake, cam and heads...headers...dynomax mufflers and cat...carpet kit...tires...etc...etc.. WOOHOOOOOOOO!:crazy Come this spring, I wanna be
Thanks again, I love CAC
Chris

 

[Mpit69]

I if you wait 7 more years, you wont need to worry.
Try looking for Doug Thorleys also.