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Catalytic Converter

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rich80
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Rich80

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By Federal Law I am not supposed to alter my exhaust so... I am going to install a new Cat. Any suggestions on what make? I see a catco for about 100.00 bucks... Will i notice any sound or acceleration difference compared to the original? Thanks....
 
I believe, by Federal Law, a "shop charging your for labor" cannot alter/remove the emissions setup. They can be fined and lose their business license. However, you as personal vehicle owner are free to do what you want. If you don't have to be concerned about emissions in your area (and/nor care), you are free to do what you want to your emissions setup.

If you still want a cat in your system, there are plenty of "high flow, low restriction" cats available. Decent ones start around $120 or so. Such as this one from DynoMax, at Summit Racing.
If you are stritcly stock and not looking for anything else, I'd think that any $60 converter that fits would be fine. However, if ya ain't gettin' e-checked, then ya don't really need it...
 
Bob Chadwick said:
I have to disagree with Andre over this. You can be held responsible if the cat is removed. Heidi has been getting hassled by Johnny Law recently over this issue.
Really!?!?! :confused
You sure this just ain't a "Jo-jah thang"? ("Georgia thing")?

How does Johnny Law know about it missing in the first place? I mean, if ya don't e-checks, then what are they doing to recognize this???
 
I dunno about other states but in New Jersey after its registered historic inspection is no longer required.....so mine are in the trash but I hear that dynomax has a good high flow
 
Garagetoyz said:
I dunno about other states but in New Jersey after its registered historic inspection is no longer required.....so mine are in the trash but I hear that dynomax has a good high flow
Same here in Ohio with Collector or Historic plates.
 
I think you will be surprised. The Feds set the emissions requirements and then give the States the authority to monitor. They do what they want, like not checking cars over so many years, or exempting collector cars, but the requirement is still there and you can be cited for not having the equipment.

In Heidi's case the cop pulled her over and simply looked under the car.
 
Just a question which i hope isnt going to redirect this thread:
If you replace your original cat with a high flow/low restriction one, is the effect the same ? As in: Coming out of the end pipe are we talking the same emissions (reduced) and dezibels? I have to keep it OEM for the most part (I dont get checked currently as i am under 5k miles, but there are plans for the future, where it's important), but if the high flow's are producing the same result but i get better ooompff, that might be something i can hang under there without any LEO getting upset about.
You guys have any experience on that ?
 
82ColEd said:
if the high flow's are producing the same result but i get better ooompff, that might be something i can hang under there without any LEO getting upset about.
That's the idea...
 
Rich,
If you license your car in Pa as a Classic you do not have to do the emissions check, and the law states that an inspection mechanic cannot flunk your car for not having the cat. When I got my classic tag I was given a copy of the law at Penn Dot and its in there. You may have to remove the cat yourself because most garages won't do it. Another advantage to the classic tag is its a one time fee. You never have to renew the registration. Good Luck.
 
Yeah I need to register Classic. I am under 5K a year so I am exempt from the smog check. I'm gonna install the new free flow cat and leave it till I need a new system then it may be duals beacuse not many cops are going to stick their head under your car to look at the exhaust. If anyone has gotten caught it would be interesting to hear about....
82Col Ed.... If you replace your original with a free flow that is fine. Thanks Guys....
 
That's the same I hear too. When I got classic plates and got it inspected the first time, I thought I would have to pay for an 'exempt' sticker as well. The mechanic told me they aren't exepmt, they aren't even in the system. Also, PA isn't complete emissions testing, only about 20 counties (of which Lycoming is one) do a 'visual inspection for tampering' all the other counties just do a 'gas cap' test. I got the classic plates so I wouldn't have to put the air pump back on, but being able to take off the cat is a bonus, not to mention the one time registration and cheaper collector car insurance. Just my thoughts.

Craig
 
Rich80 said:
...not many cops are going to stick their head under your car to look at the exhaust. If anyone has gotten caught it would be interesting to hear about....
Well, "my" officer did stick his head under my car...and I pulled over into the tall grass to deter him, too. Next time, I'm pulling in over a mud puddle!

I was driving home from regular shopping and had stopped with traffic at a light and did not notice the officer several cars behind me. When I accelerate, the exhaust sound is loud. Not Harley Davidson loud, but admirable. If I keep my foot out of it, it sounds more sedate...but who keeps their foot out of it when they can listen to a throaty roar?! :D I have dual chambered exhaust. The officer heard the exhaust and pulled me over based on the sound. Then he got on his knees in the grass and looked under the 78 and observed no cats or mufflers and gave me a warning and told me he would be looking for me to check again.

I have since learned that the chambered section of my exhaust IS a type of muffler, so if I encounter said officer again, I'll politely tell him to eat rocks. And I'll show him the cats. May help with back pressure and mellow the sound a bit...I'll know more after installation. Possibly next weekend.
Heidi
 
Bob Chadwick said:
I think you will be surprised. The Feds set the emissions requirements and then give the States the authority to monitor. They do what they want, like not checking cars over so many years, or exempting collector cars, but the requirement is still there and you can be cited for not having the equipment.

In Heidi's case the cop pulled her over and simply looked under the car.


Bob..... once a car is registered Historic, Classic or Street Rod it can be altered to whatever the owner chooses; at least in the People's Republic of MD which has one of the strictest safety and emissions laws on the books. Once you have these registrations the Fed's can't do a thing about it. Once there is no longer a State "requirement" there is no law broken. I agree ONLY if the vehicle has been altered AND it is still "required" to have periodic emissions and/or safety inspections. I've had cops up here not only look under mine but ask where I got the exquisite exhaust system work done so they can get their cars done too.

And Andre is correct. NO place of business can alter a car still under "requirement"; but certainly you can once freed from the restiction. BTW.... a Sawz-all takes about 15 seconds to cut through the exhaust pipes :D

JMHO.............. nut
 
Thats one of the reasons I love my 73...no Cats here!
Now where did that AIR pump go?...must have fallen off.
I am fortunate to live in an area where they do not perform smog testing and do not usually check for emissions equipment but I think it is only a matter of time. Until then I will enjoy it while I can.:)
 

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