so if i lived in Oregon i could run straight pipes from the headers and no cat's, and i wouldn't get busted or have any problems with the law?
Pretty much! Because you are a visitor from out of state. You may get questioned if you draw attention to yourself with straight pipes, but in the end there isnt to much they can do about it. You are not a primary resident of the state of California.
For example: NY state law is front and rear plates up here and reg/inspection in the windshield. They also have a similar residents law as well (60 days or some crap).
I have a friend who owns a house in Alabama but lives in NY primarily. He gets stopped for having no front plate and for no stickers in view at inspection/safety checks.
They hassle him a bit but he has an Alabama license, and an Alabama rear plate. Tough crap, they cant do anything about it. He has been living here for 5 years lol.
Just have to say the right thing.
If you believe it cant be done you are ignorant or you're a cop for the state of CA trying to say otherwise. There is loop holes in everything. You are either clever enough to figure out how to exploit them or you sit back and take it.
I encourage everyone to smog up CA, go get out of state residency bro! lol.