Anyone running aftermarket headers in Maryland?

Like the title says, im curious to see if anyone is running aftermarket header in Maryland. I just got mine and am debating what to do since the smog and emissions laws are so strick, in my county the inspection stations are very strict so I can't pay them off. My only option is to but aftermarket cats on which might fix (emphasis on might) the emission test but not the visual inspection.

get a reset tool and reset your check engine light in the parking lot of the inspection place. you have a few miles before the light goes back on. It took me two tries before I passed

But that only fixes the cel light. They still do a visual inspection as well as an actually co2 test, both of which I will fail

think of where your stock cats are. the little mirror visual inspection they stick under the car doesnt show them anything. they dont even look. and i had no c02 test done in westminster

Ha we'll I'm on the eastern shore so I don't know. I wanna put them on and run catless but I am worried about failing

Sniffer test is on older cars. Obd2 cars, they just plug in and see if there are any error codes...ie o2 sensor ready status.

When does your car have to go through inspection. If soon, go in as soon as possible with the stock exhaust setup. Then switch to the aftermarket setup. Then you have until next time to modify and adjust your setup to pass the test next time 'round.

They will not see a difference with the mirror. The system will not be in readiness mode if you reset in parking lot.

I would wait until your next emissions test and then install - you will have two years from then...

I have another year until I have to do it again. The thing is I'm going to start college next year and am really considering California, where the emissions laws are even stricken, but I could pay off shops easier. My problem is that I would have to pass inspection to get ca plates and I could definitely not do that with new headers going catless

Originally Posted by 330i ZHP

They will not see a difference with the mirror. The system will not be in readiness mode if you reset in parking lot.

I would wait until your next emissions test and then install - you will have two years from then...

The first time I did it it was not in ready mode and I did not pass. I tried again a little earlier before getting tested. I passed and the light went on a little after pulling out of the parking lot

im running AA headers, theres a way to go around emissions... first you can ask for an extension... then after awhile you will have to take the test fail it and then you have to spend a certain amount of money to fix the problem and then they will let you slide and you dont have to worry about passing. it just cost money. Im on the extension part right now. a buddy of mine with a bagged audi did what i stated above there might be some other little things you have to do that i forgot to add.

to get a waiver you have to fail, then you have to go to a certified emissions mechanic (they have a lic similar to an inspection lic) - pay a minimum of $500 (or at least have them state so) and then take the paperwork the mech gives you and take the test again...fail...then they give you another two years

You will have to do it every two years - so, are headers worth $500+ (potentially) every two years?

I have them btw - but I have a "friend"

get 'friends'

PS, not worth the hassle.

I agree - if I wasnt going to potentially have problems on the TS3 I would go back to OEM cats - but keep the M3 exhaust

I hate how loud the car (and raspy) is with the headers

aint it worth giving my idea a shot? Between ebay headers, borrowing a code reader and eventually passing inspection, i kept this a fairly cheap sorta legal process

there isnt anything legal...no sorta...any movement or replacement of OEM cats is illegal, not only in the State of MD but federally as well.

That being said, I have headers on my touring...and I will say it again - I cannot stand them anymore...too much rasp and too loud - I am glad I dont have to drive that car everyday

Okay I would definitely take that into thought. I heard from a fellow enthusiast that you can take your car and pass emissions in Virginia and bring it to md and they will automatically pass you. And this might work since you can make"friends" in Virginia unlike md where they are state run.

On another note. I still need new gaskets and bolts. Where would anyone recommend I get them from.

And lastly the coating on my headers is flaking. Should I sand it all if and repaint our not bother with removing the old coating and just coat over it???

As I understand it, your options are :

- Pass inspection, install headers, enjoy for two years, put OEM headers back on, pass inspection, put aftermarket back on
- Pass inspection, install aftermarket headers, AND cats and have a tune done to accommodate the new cats.


Either way, it's going to be expensive to get headers on.

Originally Posted by Cali Chase

Okay I would definitely take that into thought. I heard from a fellow enthusiast that you can take your car and pass emissions in Virginia and bring it to md and they will automatically pass you. And this might work since you can make"friends" in Virginia unlike md where they are state run.

On another note. I still need new gaskets and bolts. Where would anyone recommend I get them from.

And lastly the coating on my headers is flaking. Should I sand it all if and repaint our not bother with removing the old coating and just coat over it???

THAT IS TOTAL BS - MD does not acknowledge VA safety or emissions inspections. If that were the case, there would quite a few us that used our "friends" in VA to get by the ever so annoying MD emissions test...

I have spent TOO MANY hours and many $1000s between the two cars to get them through emissions testing.