Help With Jeep Exhaust (Expert Opinion Needed)

[bronwynjames]

Hello everyone! I have a 2004 4.0L Six Cylinder Engine Jeep Wrangler. I recently crashed it and am in the process of fixing it. In looking for an exhaust replacement online, the options range from $2000 (Magnaflow) which I clearly don't need. But will the options on Ebay for around $150 be good enough to pass smog? I've attached some links if you're interested in seeing what I'm talking about!

EBay #1
EBay #2
Weirdly Expensive Exhaust

 

[macleanflood]

Don't you need a CARB sticker to pass?

I grew up in the Bay Area. I remember struggling to get my 69 K20 to pass.

-Mac

 

[JKP]

CA compliant means expensive.

 

[Gilaguy23]

Unfortunately if you are in Oakland Ca in order to pass emissions you will either have to reuse all your old cats or buy new C.A.R.B. compliant cats. The pipes and muffler make no mattter. When shopping you will see systems or parts that are listed as Ca, NY and a couple other states now and your stuck using those costly parts. You should be able to have a shop build a system using the old cats and installing any sensor bungs as needed for a 1/4 or the cost of the magna fart system. Rockauto also lists some Ca only parts if you need bits and pieces or 02 sensors. Im sure you might not like this idea but what about letting insurance handle it if you have a low enough deductable?

 

[Link]

Yep if you are in CA you need the certified parts. For those of us in free states, we can use the same but non certified cheaper parts.

 

[mrblaine]

Hello everyone! I have a 2004 4.0L Six Cylinder Engine Jeep Wrangler. I recently crashed it and am in the process of fixing it. In looking for an exhaust replacement online, the options range from $2000 (Magnaflow) which I clearly don't need. But will the options on Ebay for around $150 be good enough to pass smog? I've attached some links if you're interested in seeing what I'm talking about!

EBay #1
EBay #2
Weirdly Expensive Exhaust

#1 is pretty clear that you shouldn't buy their exhaust.

#2 is confusing enough that I wouldn't buy it purely on fitment listings, never mind that it specifically states not for CA vehicles.

The last one is priced a tiny bit high but very typical for CA compliant exhaust emissions requirements. Reality is they don't work any better than others, but they have paid the fees to get them approved for use in CA.

 

[GATORB8]

I'd look at Walker, I think they're the big player in certified replacements, should be available on Rock Auto.

The cats themselves will be the big dollar pieces, are you sure an exhaust shop can't weld up your existing system and just fix any bent/crushed pipes?

 

[Woodrow]

Hello everyone! I have a 2004 4.0L Six Cylinder Engine Jeep Wrangler. I recently crashed it and am in the process of fixing it. In looking for an exhaust replacement online, the options range from $2000 (Magnaflow) which I clearly don't need. But will the options on Ebay for around $150 be good enough to pass smog? I've attached some links if you're interested in seeing what I'm talking about!

EBay #1
EBay #2
Weirdly Expensive Exhaust

Sorry about your crash. Doesn't look terrible in your pic. As others have said, if you need new cats, they need to be CARB approved and will be expensive. If your cats are OK, re-using them will be much cheaper. Why do you need new exhaust and which part(s) specifically?

 

[mrblaine]

Sorry about your crash. Doesn't look terrible in your pic. As others have said, if you need new cats, they need to be CARB approved and will be expensive. If your cats are OK, re-using them will be much cheaper. Why do you need new exhaust and which part(s) specifically?

My guess from having seen a bunch of them is the left front got pushed back, mangled the driveshaft, exhaust on that side, and then split the t-case. The only thing I'm not pretty sure of is whether or not it also sheared the motor mount cast bracket off the side of the engine block.

 

[mrblaine]

Don't you need a CARB sticker to pass?

On the exhaust parts, they don't use stickers. The EO# is stamped into the heat shield or similar in a location where the smog tech can see it and by nature, they don't try very hard to find it.

 

[Gilaguy23]

Don't you need a CARB sticker to pass?

I grew up in the Bay Area. I remember struggling to get my 69 K20 to pass.

-Mac

Last I recall the "carb" sticker applies to aftermarket parts that have been granted a OK by carb and wont affect emissions. Junk like angry bird grills, or one of them mad max extendo grills that add to the "aerodynamics" and gives you 20% better performance.

 

[macleanflood]

Last I recall the "carb" sticker applies to aftermarket parts that have been granted a OK by carb and wont affect emissions. Junk like angry bird grills, or one of them mad max extendo grills that add to the "aerodynamics" and gives you 20% better performance.

I got a CARB sticker with my Banks Torque tube headers.

-Mac

 

[Gilaguy23]

I got a CARB sticker with my Banks Torque tube headers.

-Mac

Exactly. I wouldn't be surprised if a K&N filter or CAI need a CARB exemption number.

 

[macleanflood]

Exactly. I wouldn't be surprised if a K&N filter or CAI need a CARB exemption number.

All it takes is one overenthusiastic inspector.

Good news is you usually can leave and find a less scrupulous one.

-Mac

 

[Gilaguy23]

You ever have the state run smog check stations when you lived in CA? What a PITA that was.