Jody, I hate to say it, but rear-mount turbo, or better worded, "post-cat" turbos. You can put anything you want AFTER the cats here in CA, but nothing before. Headers and some hi-flow cats would probably work pretty darn well, just size the exhaust housings to work with the lower temperature and decreased volume of the exhaust at that point in the system. It wouldn't be as efficient as just after the exhaust ports, but I bet it would still work well enough to make more HP than the supercharger.
The only thing I am unsure on would be removing the supercharger, I don't know how that would fly. My guess is that it would NOT pass visual. I suppose you could "hollow" it out by removing the rotors and use it for a plenum box, I bet that would fly!
Another option to consider to get rid of the supercharger-- swap in a later model engine without an SC, that way based on the CARB laws you have to meet the smog requirements (sniffer and visual) of the NEWER engine. That way there is no Supercharger in the loop, and you could still do the post-cat turbos and pass with flying colors if the sniffer checks out OK. That's not a good option though as you have that low mileage built engine in the truck now.
I also hate California's "visual" testing. If it passes at the sniffer, what's the difference what it looks like under the hood? The emissions are what matters! That was the case with my Turbo Trans Am, in my "modded" form it would pass the sniffer (barely) but wouldn't pass visual. The only thing that should be visually inspected is the PCV system (since it's a potential emissions source) but that should be it!
Jody, another option would be to buy a small piece of property up in the foothills where there are no smog test requirements and register the truck there. Several of my friends do that. You'll still be in big trouble though if you get pulled over by a cop or get trapped in a mobile smog test, as they could impound the car on the spot for emissions tampering. Just because the county you live in doesn't have biannual smog test requirements does not mean you can remove/alter the original equipment.
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1969 Chevelle
Old setup: Procharged/intercooled/EFI 353 SBC, TKO, ATS/SPC/Global West suspension, C6 brakes & hydroboost.
In progress: LS2, 3.0 Whipple, T56 Magnum, torque arm & watts link, Wilwood Aero6/4 brakes, Mk60 ABS, Vaporworx, floater 9" rear, etc.
Last edited by Blown353; 04-05-2005 at 02:39 PM.
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