AFB
Member
No CARB sticker required. The ARB #'s are already stamped onto the CATS your good to go. Check the link
MagnaFlow Exhaust - Catalytic Converters
MagnaFlow Exhaust - Catalytic Converters
88 CA-Stang Miserable Smog W/Pics!
- Thread starter Burlyirishdude
- Start date
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AFB
Member
Also my suggestion is to print that page and keep in your glovebox, so you have something to reference the smog tech to if your getting a bad time. This law is fairly new so they should already be up to speed.
- Dec 28, 2009
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@AFB: Dude - Nice find on all of these new laws(circa 09) Its nice to be in the know especially if anyone down the chain( I.E - Smog Tech, Cop, CHP, Ref, Test Only, Jerry Brown.....even Jesus) come asking questions about my legitimacy - -I can just pull out paperwork and cite CVCC Codes 
Made in America, somehow still legal in California.
I will be posting numbers tomorrow(mon) as i have my welder prep'd and ready to go for tomorrow's ****-show underneath the car and getting ready to shove my smog paperwork promptly up a DMV officials tailpipe.
In the case i don't pass, anybody want this giant PNO paperweight.
Made in America, somehow still legal in California.
I will be posting numbers tomorrow(mon) as i have my welder prep'd and ready to go for tomorrow's ****-show underneath the car and getting ready to shove my smog paperwork promptly up a DMV officials tailpipe.
In the case i don't pass, anybody want this giant PNO paperweight.
TenorPlayinGuy
Founding Member
AFB
Member
Yeah man no worries, hope that exhaust piece works out for you and cleans up your emissions. Im anxious to see your results, good luck have a good one.
Adam
Adam
- Dec 28, 2009
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OK - - She Passed. 
Now here are the numbers - - Surprisingly ridiculous!
The man i take it to told me that she was still running really really rich until he noticed one sensor on the passenger side tub was acting really finicky - - he ran another test and as soon as the sensor was within tolerances she passed better then most Hondas, Toyotas, and Nissans : 4cyl.
Here are some pics of the Sensor acting all loopy. Does anybody know what this sensor is called? I know i have replaced the sensor right above the one in question(has a blue arrow pointed at it in the 2nd pic.)
The Red arrows are pointing to the 4 point(1 empty) tree for vacuum lines to run into. The black line is the one that he pointed to and said it may be at the end of it's rope b/c of how horrible it failed and then how superb it passed.
Here are the pics - -
I just need a P/N for this sensor - -if it's acting funny get it out of there and replace with motorcraft.
Now how about them Cats?
Well, the exhaust shop had no problem welding it up for me - - once i showed them the CA legal slip that comes with it. it also helped i had the paperwork, from the magnaflow site, that member AFB posted - - this info helped me shut them up real quick so thanks - -felt like the Clint Eastwood of exhaust rolled in there and told the one trick pony to do what i paid for.
Also AFB - - I did notice the sound drop you mentioned. I think it pertains to the interior sound only b/c my roomate came out for a listen and said it sounded about the same but once he got in was amazed at how you could actually here the road noise once the OD kicked in and it purred around 2k at 70mph.
Overall, it's not a substantial gain but i definitely feel like the acceleration is smoother and the throttle response seems to be a tad better, even if it is an AOD.
So in conclusion, the Cats made a hell of a difference in smog and a bit more in the "seat of your pants," acceleration. Tone - - not much different except quieter interior which i don't mind.
Thanks in advance to everyone that contributed or even just viewed the thread. Hopefully it helps some poor guy out there who can't/won't go around the system every 2 years - - i just want to take it in and pass smog and you all have helped make that possible.
Now here are the numbers - - Surprisingly ridiculous!
The man i take it to told me that she was still running really really rich until he noticed one sensor on the passenger side tub was acting really finicky - - he ran another test and as soon as the sensor was within tolerances she passed better then most Hondas, Toyotas, and Nissans : 4cyl.
Here are some pics of the Sensor acting all loopy. Does anybody know what this sensor is called? I know i have replaced the sensor right above the one in question(has a blue arrow pointed at it in the 2nd pic.)
The Red arrows are pointing to the 4 point(1 empty) tree for vacuum lines to run into. The black line is the one that he pointed to and said it may be at the end of it's rope b/c of how horrible it failed and then how superb it passed.
Here are the pics - -
I just need a P/N for this sensor - -if it's acting funny get it out of there and replace with motorcraft.
Now how about them Cats?
Well, the exhaust shop had no problem welding it up for me - - once i showed them the CA legal slip that comes with it. it also helped i had the paperwork, from the magnaflow site, that member AFB posted - - this info helped me shut them up real quick so thanks - -felt like the Clint Eastwood of exhaust rolled in there and told the one trick pony to do what i paid for.
Also AFB - - I did notice the sound drop you mentioned. I think it pertains to the interior sound only b/c my roomate came out for a listen and said it sounded about the same but once he got in was amazed at how you could actually here the road noise once the OD kicked in and it purred around 2k at 70mph.
Overall, it's not a substantial gain but i definitely feel like the acceleration is smoother and the throttle response seems to be a tad better, even if it is an AOD.
So in conclusion, the Cats made a hell of a difference in smog and a bit more in the "seat of your pants," acceleration. Tone - - not much different except quieter interior which i don't mind.
Thanks in advance to everyone that contributed or even just viewed the thread. Hopefully it helps some poor guy out there who can't/won't go around the system every 2 years - - i just want to take it in and pass smog and you all have helped make that possible.
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- Dec 28, 2009
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Chasis: 88 California Mustang w/MAF
Engine: 302 .040+ Stock Comp Pistons Roller Rocker Conv
ALL SMOG EQUIPMENT Attached. Stock Exhaust W/ 4 Ford Cats
I am failing smog miserably - -
I failed smog the first time with high CO and HC on both speeds.
Took her home after reading on here about Vac lines, smog equip, & seeing the post that seems to deal with all things emissions(egr/rough idle/rich/lean/IAVC) I realized one of the vacuum lines running to the tree under the upper intake was rotted away. Everything ran correctly, and voltages check out, and i have searched this forum and seen only info on smog delete or "what if..." scenarios. So this engine is for the better part stock and just is failing like a mother(see first pic for numbers)
Fixed that, ran the OBD tester came back flying colors (all green dots and an 11 code on both KOEO/KOER) No codes and I do have a functional CEL light because it's an Original CA edition.
The salt and peppers have been cleaned and all the pins were/are straight.
I took it back and failed even worse! Almost 800% increase of NO and about another 100points on the HC(PPM) over it's original. So now i'm failing all categories and the references in the almighty smog post says bad cats, bad smog eqp. etc)
Driving me nuts!!!
Emotionally and Financially exhausted(pun intended) with this car.
The engine being rebuilt about 1 year ago has about 8k new miles on her.....when i first took it in it passed - -barely.
I keep everything clean and i have gapped my plugs to spec, timing is at 10 with the harness equipped(the thing that advances/retards timing under load) Also the EGR has been replaced, fuel pressure is right on(stock injectors) I am stumped and i don't want to take to a specialist because i have a feeling they'll charge me out the ass just to tell me what the gen. consensus is on this page...bad cats, bad smog parts.
Anybody offer some help why everything F****n skyrocketed into failure.
I had similar readings and what had happened was the connection came loose from the oxygen sensor, however, it honestly does look like bad cats. Thank god mine is an 87 and doesn't need emissions tests anymore.
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AFB
Member
Awesome bro glad to hear it passed with flying colors... Thanks for the update; but yeah the sound for me was a little bit of a bummer, but your right on the 'seat of your pants' acceleration is pretty impressive. That cruising 2k rpm range is for sure the sweet spot.
Riverart
Well-Known Member
Thanks for posting your experience. I too am running a stock setup and intend to have it smog legal, I'm too old to have to mess with smog stuff.
Mikey1968
Member
Was curious as to the fit. I have an HPM (I think) 4 point k-member brace that my stock cats rub on.....been thinking of upgrading cats one day, especially if I start having smog problems. Yeah, probably cheaper to take my tax dollars and leave the screwed up state! Do these cats flow better and is the diameter of the pipes 2.5"?
Thanks for the great posts with links to all! Now, how do we citizens pass reasonable smog laws here in Kommiefornia...like I can put whatever I want under the hood as long as I blow clean?
Thanks for the great posts with links to all! Now, how do we citizens pass reasonable smog laws here in Kommiefornia...like I can put whatever I want under the hood as long as I blow clean?
AFB
Member
Yeah my suggestion is to leave CA, but if your stuck here like I am then you can do one of the following. Build a car the way you want it, then strip it all down every two years to pass smog or, install products that have EO or CARB #'s. Doesn't matter how clean it runs, it has to pass visual inspection and it wont unless you can prove the parts visible have CARB #'s. The cat's you asked about are from Magnaflow, and I think they are the only company at the moment that produces a CARB numbered, CA approved aftermarket product. It's a nice flowing piece and install is pretty straight forward. I run it with 40 series flows and will admit it's quieter than expected but it sounds OK.
Mikey1968
Member
Another question....did this screwed up state make it where only some certified shop can install the Magnaflows or can I install it myself?
AFB
Member
I'm not sure if or how they could enforce that. I haven't had any issue and there is really nothing more straight forward then putting in a bolt on exhaust. I haven't even volunteered that I have CARB cats, they don't even look under the car, plus the car is so low they'd have to put it on a lift to read the CARB number's. The main thing is visual bolt on components under the hood with CARB or OE numbers, correct timing and passing at the tips.
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