Hello All,

I am new to this forum and it looks like there is a lot of good information on here. I need some help with my truck exhaust. Here is the background info.

06 Chevy Silverado 5.3 V8
K&N CAI
40 Series flowmasters
Pacesetter ceramic coated long tube headers

The problem:
When I had the headers installed, the check engine light came on. This was not a problem at the time because the emission laws were different in the state I was stationed in with the military. However I have recently moved to a different state that has stricter emission laws. My questions are:

1) Would installing thuderbolt cats along with 0-2 spacers fix it?
2) If not, how can it be fixed?

My inspection isnt until November, but id like to get it fixed asap. If i have to I will scrap the long tubes and put back on the stock exhaust manifold, but I really dont want to.

Any help would be greatly appreciated,
-Scott

 

The easiest way to do it is just get those O2s tuned out, as the bungs for o2s are probably gone with the headers, and unless you really want the cats, that's what I'd do

Otherwise, if the new cats have bungs for the o2s id imagine thatd fix your problem too

 

Hi Derrick,

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately the state laws require cats in order to pass inspection, so I have to put them in. But once I put the cats in with o2 spacers, I will then have to get it tuned in order to get the CEL goes off?

 

Is it just a smog test or also a visual? Headers will 99% of the time fail a visual because it moves the cats from the stock location.

 

From what I understand its visual, I dont think its smog tested. Right now my truck has no cats and it would clearly fail, however if I installed thunderbolt cats and 02 spacer so the CEL went off, would that suffice? Once the thunderbolt cats and 02 spacers are installed, will I have to get it tuned to get the CEL off?

So worried...

 

What state are you in?

 

North Carolina

 

Put the cats on if you need them for the visual and remove the negative battery cable and reinstall. If your light comes back on just get the o2s tuned out and youll pass the emissions.

 

Do this ^^^, if you have all 4 o2 sensors in, with cats, and use the "spacers" on the rear sensors, you will not need a retune. The CEL will stay off, it will not set codes. You should pass then.