Ok, so I'm exploring my options for doing an exhaust on my new 97 850R. I've searched and searched, and it seems that the OBX system is the best bet.

Now here is the issue.. I'm in CA, and smog is royal PITA Technically you cannot mess with the exhaust, from manifold to cat. Cat and rearward is OK to mod. Now the question being: Should I just install the OBX whole system and swap in my cat when smog comes around(not til next march)? Or just try and rig a new cat(2.5") to the OBX system's test pipe and hope the inspector doesn't notice that the DP/test is aftermarket? My brain hurts from trying to figure out a good solution to this! I want a better flowing exhaust, soon.

Also advice on a tune for a CA vehicle would be greatly appreciated!!

 

My solution would be to move out of California! On a more realistic note, if you're up to the work, get the exhaust but keep the stock manifold and cat laying around for emissions. It's three bolts at the turbo for the downpipe and two for the clamp at the cat. I pulled mine out in about an hour the first time. Those bolts on the bottom clamp need to be hit with PB rust penetrant with "Blu-torch technology"(got a good laugh at that) and lit to cherry red with a good torch to break them off OR if you feel adventurous, cut them off. Now that I think of it, you may have to cut the ball flange on the cat off and replace it with a v-band flange since the OBX pipes use v-bands instead. That mod is still after the cat. California is absolutely nuts and I wouldn't attempt to skirt the system when getting it inspected.

 

I lived in CA for a bit but never had to do an emissions inspection so I have no experience with it.

I would consider going with the "R" manifold as it is a stock manifold for a 5cyl Volvo and it's a stock looking manifold in cast iron and unless you bumped into an inspector who was also a Volvo owner I doubt he'd notice it enough to research it to find out it's not the stock one for that year.



As for the exhaust pipes. I hung my OBX on the car in the garage with it sitting on jack stands so It's not that hard and doesn't take very long. If you had a stock fitting custom or aftermarket system like the OBX that uses the stock mounts and wanted to swap back the stock system for inspection it would be possible and not that big a job.

 

You will not pass with an OBX exhaust.

I have a 95 with an EGR. This is what I had to go through to get it to pass. And mind you...I was sent to the BAR so these are the rules I learned.

95 and less, you can modify the intake, change it do whatever.
96 and later, you cannot modify the intake.
All year, you cannot modify the exhaust. You must have the OEM Cat on it or an approved replacement. This does not mean you can put a California approved cat from another car and expect to pass. It has to be an approved cat for your year and model car (I tried with a Cali approved Chevy Cat).

What did I do?
For the EGR I had an R-exhaust manifold modified to accept an EGR port.



Took the flange from an angled housing and welded it to the OEM downpipe.



Swap it all out when its smog time.

 

Yes I plan on moving, hopefully a few years but I'll have to smog before that Yes that's def a novel idea, and probably the 'safest'.

Well doesn't my 97 R already have that manifold?

I work in Rocklin and live in Lincoln.. you'll prob see my white R around at some point. Anyway:

What kind of DP is that?

I was thinkin taking the OBX test pipe and welding in the magnaflow volvo-approved cat. I know most smog techs are not smart enough to know what a stock vs aftermarket DP is.. at least the place I take my cars to. As long as the cat with an EO # is there I would assume it would pass visual.. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Does your car pass with all the mods in your sig, with the stock cat??

 

I have waved to a white 850 a couple times. Do you work at Jiffy Lube?

Thats an OBX downpipe.

 

No I work at Carquest auto parts.

This is my car


Have you passed smog with the setup in your sig? with a cat of course?

 

Erik, the "R" manifold came on the later S60R/V70R cars. Your white car, if still stock, has the same manifold as lesser T-5 cars.

 

I have not seen your car, sorry.

I took this picture back in January of this year the day I passed smog.





For you, being a 97. You will not be able to make any changes to the intake. i.e. cold intake, cool filter, etc. The problem with the exhaust is that they require you to NOT MODIFY anything between the exhaust manifold down to past the rear O2. After that you can have an open pipe and pass.
You can get away with a 15G, 16T, 18T or 19T turbo because they all use the same housing, they cant tell its bigger. If you go after upgrading the exhaust you should use v-band clamps so it can be changed out. You will have to put it back to stock to smog it.

I cant pass smog at this point with the 20G on there. When its time again I will swap it out.

 

Ugh....California!

 

Hah, just over there yesterday getting my Chevy truck smogged at Rocklin Smog.

 

Good ol big daddy ron! Yep he does my cars too..

I think just running the OBX DP and test until smog time will be best. Is it ultra loud with no cat and cat back? Like attratch-attention-from-rocklin PD loud?

 

I'll drop by and show you.

 

Sounds good- I work tues-sat 9-5 FYI

If you ever need parts, i can give a good hookup on worldpac parts. We can get a ton of OE stuff