So im thinking about buying a set of flowtech headers today to put on my 305 , the problem is flowtech discontinued the air injection ones that i need for my caprice to stay legal . my question is do u really need the air injection to pass emissions? also i want to take as much accesories off my engine as possible so i can dress it up but im not sure also how that will play with my inspection when it comes in bout another year . let me know thanks .

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w152/capriceridin84/Picture045.jpg

depending on the year, there might not be any emissions testing.
at least in Va, there is a 20 year rule, and if your car is older than 20 yrs, it is exempt.
there are probably qualifiers that i am not aware of, but that is what i have heard

Federal law stipulates that if a car came with AIR, that system must not be removed. Removal can result in a federal fine of up to $25,000, however unlikely. Under law, you cannot replace your factory exhaust with parts which do not maintain the factory emissions.

The only age exemption is for cars made before MY 1967.

However, to answer the question at hand, the car should pass a treadmill-type emission test provided:

1. It is at operating temperature;

2. The engine is not operated at WOT on the treadmill;

3. There is no visual inspection.

The AIR system is dumping to the cat converter once the engine is warm, so the manifold tubes are not used (or needed) after warmup.

The AIR system will diver injected air back to the manifolds at WOT to help maintain good cat operation.

If there is a strict visual inspection, you're going to fail before the engine is even started.

Si212 is correct that removal is not provided for in USEPA, however, many states will issue an inspection certificate if the older modified vehicle meets the emission limits on the dyno/sniffer. You'll have to check local laws.

I'm in the NYC area and they tightened up on the older car pollution specs twice in recent years. Which means that EVERYTHING on my car has to be working for it to pass. You can ask at your local inspection station to see what the specific laws are for your area.

Bob