I live in MD and I've been debating the whole long tube or edelbrocks for a while now and I think I've read all the posts and I read something that might lean my decision to the mids. Living in MD, we have to go to emissions, but I don't know if they actually check "smog" on newer vehicles here. I believe they just plug it into the computer and make sure it's not throwing codes. But I'm not positive on that. If that's the case, getting long tubes would be a major PIA everytime emissions rolls around because I'll have to change them out for stock to pass, or maybe I'm wrong. The bottom line is that I want a good performing header that I don't have to take off everytime emissions rolls around. I've never been to the drag strip, although there might be a point in time that I might like give it a run, but I don't do it every weekend or anything. I want to ad a header that gets me good gains that I can feel. Price is also an issue. So can anyone give any advice on this based on long winded ramblings?

Oh, and I also have Gibson Super Truck Side exit exhaust, superchips, and intake with the stock 3.92 gears, if that makes any difference at all.

i live in pa but they do emissions here and i have had dynatech long tubes on for almost three years now. has passed every timeas long as you keep the cats(mine came with hi flow magnaflows)and the o2 sensors just get a set of non foulers for the rear set.....and my truck hauls

check your smog laws-out here in california,they have a visual inspection as well as a tailpipe test. If the cats are moved from there factory location-you are in violation. Also,just passed this year-we are not able to replace (I think shops aren't allowed?)cats until 7 years or 70,000 miles lucky us....

I would go with mids if there is an issue. Doug's/Thorley tri-y's or Edelbrocks are good performing 'smog legal' headers.

How about an aftermarket y pipe with mids? Is it possible to add one to the system or will I still be in the same situation in terms of smog issues?

y-pipes are legal...and it will help with the headers. When my exhaust guy welded up the new downpipes to the existing cats after my header install,I had him splice in a flowmaster y-pipe that I had laying around. Might as well have the shop do everything at one time(if your not welding it yourself)while he's underneath there.

What would be a good Y Pipe to bolt up with that header? I won't have the money to do it all at once and I'll be doing the welding myself.

imho your best bet would be to be patient and save up your money and buy a complete set from dynatech: long tubes, high flow cats, Y-pipe, all the hardware and wiring exstentions for the o2 sensors and it all fits perfect no guessing cutting or welding(i had mine welded just in case) i sucks to wait i know but for 1,400 for everything you cant beat it. and u dont have to worry it will pass emissions.

BerBer-full,bolt in y-pipes are around $160-$200. You could splice(weld) in a flowmaster or magnaflow y-section instead. They run around $40-$75.

05Thunderroad-the dynatechs are a good call. It just depends on his states smog laws about moving the position of the cats,not just having them.

I think you should get the whole package at one time too. long tubes, cats, y-pipe.

I have had the Edelbrock mids on my truck for over 3 years now and am very happy with them.
I had a replacement Y pipe at first but later removed it with an X and did true duals all the way out.

Since my headers are smog legal and the cats have not been moved nothing else in the exhaust system really matters..