I bought a 76 LT from a guy months ago. I got it registered and all. The DMV says I have to have a DEQ (smog check) before I renew the reg again.

No problem since it runs like a top. I get to the inspection station and the guy say I'm blowing too much Hydrocarbon...AND I need a catalitic converter. Sure enough, there is none. I guess the guy had it registered out of the area where they are required in this state (the smog check, not the cat. conv.).

So I want to put cats back on. It seems that after so many years, the DEQ says you dont have to get the check anymore. I gotta be close by now; but I digress.

The LT now has dualies straight back. Headers, straight pipe, muffler, up-over-out. So what is the best thing to do here:



Bite the bullet and run it to the exhaust guy for a new sysytem
cut the existing system at home and clamp in a couple of cats from the yard
remove the present dualies and buy a system that collects to a single cat then run a single pipe until I no longer have to have inspections

I just as soon go to the muffler shop as I am going into the rainey season and I have only a gravel driveway on which to work; but I fear the sticker shock. Any ideas what this work would run? Alternately is the yard scrounging idea a sound one?

Thanks,

Ed

OR
4.) Hit the 'Pick-N-Pull'(type) wrecking yard near you and remove an entire system that will bolt up to your car.
Get it registered and then change back to the dual system it has now ...

Vintage 68,

Thanks, I don't see any camaros in my playgrounds. Are there other makes models that you know of that may work with a little massaging:yes:

Ed

It's too bad you didn't know this before you went to the inspection station because all you would of had to do was lean out the carburetor and raise the idle speed to pass the DEQ!.....This is what we used to do here in Michigan when a smog check was required.....I believe your car should be exempt anyway due to the age of the vehicle.

It doesnt matter what age the car is to be exempt. If it came from the factory with cats then it has to have it. At least that is how it is in Texas and in Harris county, If you are out of Harris county then they will do a safety inspection only. That is why I run antique tags. No inspection sticker needed but limited mileage yearly. But they dont check mileage.

If it was me I would have 2 cats put on the existing exhaust and live happily everafter.

You can get inexpensive "universal" cats on ebay. Much easier than a pick n pull.