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Cali Spec?

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Old Nov 6, 2004 | 02:42 PM
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Can I swap cali-spec headers for fed-spec?

From the Stickies:

On CA emission 99's Front pre-cat built into header, two extra oxygen sensors to monitor pre-cats (total of 4), Swirl valve in intake to improve emissions. Special aftermarket Y-pipe required and only 1 pre-cat can be removed.

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MY Car: 99 gxe auto
I had mine up on the lift today, and it looks like it's the cali spec. I saw three O2 sensors on the stock setup, and the WS y-pipe i ordered doesn't look like it will bolt in, the front section looks much wider and the flanges from the WS pipe don't line up with the bolts, as well as the WS pip only having 2 spots for O2 sensors. So, did I get the wrong pipe and my car is cali spec, or am i missin somethin? I bought the car in NY so I assumed it wasn't.
Old Nov 6, 2004 | 02:44 PM
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mine was bought in MA..mine's a cali spec.
Old Nov 6, 2004 | 02:51 PM
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Cali spec Y is fairly a straight pipe with only one turn upwards onto the manifold.
Fed spec Y has two upward turns up to both manifolds. (looks more like a Y___)
Old Nov 6, 2004 | 02:52 PM
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found out recently mine is a cali spec......and i live in georgia

i couldn't believe my eyes when i was reading my VIN, good thing i did before i bought a Y-pipe
Old Nov 6, 2004 | 02:59 PM
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Check the model code (not VIN) on the vehicle id plate on your firewall.
It should be something like: BLHULxxA32E followed by a U,V or N.
U - non California, USA
V - California, USA
N - Canada
Old Nov 6, 2004 | 03:01 PM
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yea....just looked at it...CALI!!! ratfarts.

Waiiiitttt......LIGHT BULB! can I swap the frontside intake manifold with a non cali spec and dill a hole for the extra O2 sensor hence eliminating both precats?
Old Nov 7, 2004 | 05:24 AM
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bump it up

can i do this swap?
Old Nov 7, 2004 | 05:32 AM
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i bought mine in ny too..its a cali spec..=/...no i dont think u can do a swap..sorrie man..try to sell it to a friend or something.or maybe ask for an exhange from w/s that u ordered the wrong pipe or something..but another way in finding out if its a cali spec of fed spec is by popping the hood...in front of the engine..u would see plugs...for a cali spec..there would be 4 plugs..those are for 02 sensors..the fed spec..theres only 2..well good luck
Old Nov 7, 2004 | 06:09 AM
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why not its the same motor in the same place if I swap out the headers why wouldn't it work?
Old Nov 7, 2004 | 06:21 AM
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Originally Posted by chenzarino
why not its the same motor in the same place if I swap out the headers why wouldn't it work?
If the pipe physically fits, your engine will still run fine but you will get a CEL for the one missing rear O2 sensor. Cali-spec ECUs have inputs for two rear O2 sensors; Fed spec has only one.
You can always have a second O2 sensor bung welded on the pipe.

During normal engine operation the rear O2 sensors are not part of the feedback loop. If a problem is detected with one or both front O2 sensors then the rear sensor(s) will be used for feedback.
Old Nov 7, 2004 | 11:16 AM
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It would be ideal if I could swap the heads out for non-cali spec, becuse it would eliminate that precat. I can drill a hole for the extra O2 sensor, thats no biggie. Has anyone done this?
Old Nov 7, 2004 | 03:14 PM
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OR, is there a way to gut that frontside precat to make it a huge header? anyone? Bueller?
Old Nov 7, 2004 | 04:04 PM
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my car was originally sold in TX... I live in GA... i have cali spec...
Old Nov 7, 2004 | 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by chenzarino
bump it up

can i do this swap?
I dont think so. I got my turbo kit that was meant for a federal. Had to customize a cali spec cattman to make it work. No other choice.
Old Nov 7, 2004 | 09:55 PM
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Oh. Unless you change your whole header system, from engine to cat, it might be possible if you really want to go through the trouble. Otherwise I doubt it.
Old Nov 7, 2004 | 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by chenzarino
It would be ideal if I could swap the heads out for non-cali spec, becuse it would eliminate that precat. I can drill a hole for the extra O2 sensor, thats no biggie. Has anyone done this?
slizan99 converted from cali to fed spec if i'm not mistaken.
Old Nov 8, 2004 | 08:42 AM
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sent him a PM, see what he says.
Old Nov 8, 2004 | 09:43 AM
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are all 99's cali spec. i dont know if mine is yet gotta chek, but from what it looks like here all the car that are cali specs are 99's.
Old Nov 8, 2004 | 09:55 AM
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check VIN like they said
Old Nov 8, 2004 | 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by One Crazy Max
are all 99's cali spec. i dont know if mine is yet gotta chek, but from what it looks like here all the car that are cali specs are 99's.
nope not all 99's are cali spec.

EDIT: if you have either of these in your engine bay.. you are cali spec

(note the 4 connectors)


or if you have this little bastard.
Old Nov 8, 2004 | 10:29 AM
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ive gotta check it out, i think i checked my vin i thought i was cali spec....but uhm, i have two o2 sensors in y pipe, and i have 1 in my cat....and i have 97....wuts that mean?
Old Nov 8, 2004 | 10:31 AM
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can 99 cali's have cattman headers too?
Old Nov 8, 2004 | 10:31 AM
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look under the hood at the header, theres another O2 sensor up there, and 4 plugs mounted to the front of the motor...cali spec.
Old Nov 8, 2004 | 12:36 PM
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spoke to slizan, he did not do this swap, but his input was to relocate 2 of the O2 sensors behind the cat.

I WANNA DO THIS SWAP!!!! INPUT! INNNNNNPUUUTTTTT!!!!!!!!
Old Nov 9, 2004 | 06:09 AM
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bump to the top
Old Nov 9, 2004 | 08:10 AM
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i got 99 SE-L and mine is not CALI i got FED spec
Old Nov 9, 2004 | 10:23 AM
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Judginf from the responses, I'm guessing I can't do this swap......
Old Nov 10, 2004 | 02:04 PM
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I seriously think its pointless but if youd like.
Old Nov 10, 2004 | 02:09 PM
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the point is to eliminate the precat
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 02:14 AM
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Why do you want to eliminate the precat? If you want more flow, change the whole header system like I suggested. If you got the wrong y pipe, sell it back out and get the right one.
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 02:15 AM
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oh if youre planning to keep the precat and do some custom work. DONT! its not worth the trouble over a $200 pipe.
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 07:53 AM
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Called warpspeed today, they will exchange it just gotta pay for the shipping.
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 08:23 AM
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no1 answered my question, does cattman make headers for cali's too?
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by XoPtOn
no1 answered my question, does cattman make headers for cali's too?
I wouldnt know. Try looking up Cattman's web page
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 06:29 PM
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IIRC, they do, not 100% sure though
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