I live in L.A. and so I have some questions about cars with exhaust system modifcations so I don't get too interested in a car that is going to provide headaches passing CA smog emissions easily.
Questions:
Do "RMB" cars need to have anything put back on the car to pass CA emissions --assuming that everything else on the car is OK? Also on RMB, I've been told that this mod doesn't really affect smog certification at all.
Next, what about cars with "X-pipes?" I'm pretty these would fail the CA visual and probably the tailpipe emissions test--am I correct?
I don't have a real good idea of the quantifiable advantages/disadvantages of having either/both of these mods except from reading various vendors ads claiming extra HP and wonderful noises.
I'm all for HP and a nice exhaust note, and if either/both of these are worthwhile, I wouldn't mind switching out every couple of years for smog. What I would not like is an exhaust "drone" at highway speeds that resonates in the cabin. Probably no way to determine this without comparing the stock exhaust with modded?
For a California car, seller is responsible for smog cert, and one seller said that he has the original catalytic converters for the car and would have these re-installed in order to pass smog. For out-of-state cars with this kind of mod I guess I would have to come up with suitable cats and have the work done myself.
Assuming I end up with such a car, is swapping an X-pipe for catalytic converters something that can be done relatively easily for semi-annual smog checks? If I ended up with such a car I'd have it smogged and then just swap the X-pipe back in immediately.
Thanks in advance for pointers.