High flow cats in CA?

[Randy92782]

A properly functioning Cat does not hurt performance so why try to "gut" one? Just install a new Cat and pass the smog check and be done.

I know very little about cats and how long they last before cloggin but i think if one was to gut it and it not mess up their check then this will be an easy fix and not have to spend upteen dollars

IMO a cat that eventually does go out will hurt fuel economy and WILL hurt your pocketbook so it just seems it works

 

[apache]

A properly functioning Cat does not hurt performance so why try to "gut" one? Just install a new Cat and pass the smog check and be done. The only reason people are going to bitch about this law is because now you can't buy and install a 99.00 Cat, more like 200.00-300.00 now. The other reason people will bitch is if they run a larger exhaust system than came stock on the rig and now they are mandated to run the factory diameter Cat.

Id be intertested to see several dyno runs with different setups running cat and then without. Ive gutted a few and flo benched on our setup when I was in the after makret motorcycle industry. One of the Toyota ones only flowed 630 CFM so we opened it up ,did nothing to improve the thing but then is was a 22R motor. The money part does suck,seems it never lets up as its either taxes,fuel,food or something in this wonderful state.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Well, if the guy needs a new Cat why would he spend the money on buying one and then gut it? Secondly, it is now a FEDERAL CRIME to tamper with a Catalytic convertor. The penalty in the past was a misdemeanor and punishable by a 5K fine and or imprisonment, not sure on the imprisonment term now but the fine just went up to 10K.

I totally don't agree with the whole "smog program" and what the state/feds wants on the engine or in the exhaust. I mean what does it really matter if all that junk is missing and the thing still passes the sniffer test, that's all they really care about anyways. But since we have to "play" by their rules we might as well not try to cheat and end up in some serious trouble.

 

[Randy92782]

Well, if the guy needs a new Cat why would he spend the money on buying one and then gut it? Secondly, it is now a FEDERAL CRIME to tamper with a Catalytic convertor. The penalty in the past was a misdemeanor and punishable by a 5K fine and or imprisonment, not sure on the imprisonment term now but the fine just went up to 10K.

I totally don't agree with the whole "smog program" and what the state/feds wants on the engine or in the exhaust. I mean what does it really matter if all that junk is missing and the thing still passes the sniffer test, that's all they really care about anyways. But since we have to "play" by their rules we might as well not try to cheat and end up in some serious trouble.

I see what you're sayin. Had no idea it was a federal crime though Of course almost everythings punishable now

I wasn't suggestng he buy a new one and gut it but just to gut his old one

 

[dyeager535]

If you look at the tests they run in the magazines on cat equipped cars, typically the dyno testing shows no loss. Old cats hurt performance, the new ones don't, IF they aren't plugging up the exhaust when they break.

 

[trucknace]

The Only Reason I Suggested To Gut It Was For Cost Efficiency. And Btw Vehicles Like My Mustang That Had 6 Cats Show Phenomenal Improvements When Straight Piped To The Muffler

 

[dhcomp]

So it sounds like to stay legal i need to leave what i have, or save my pennies to get a new legal cat to replace me 210k one.

Thanks guys.

 

[dyeager535]

Mustang

You eliminated all doubt as to why there was a problem with that tidbit right there.

6 cats is ridiculous, but probably the only way they could meet emissions at the time.

All the cats out there now SHOULD provide for much better power and performance in reducing emissions than previous. Since our trucks used only one converter, shouldn't be a whole lot of difference cat or no cat, as long as it's a NEW design.

 

[American84K5]

New law went into effect January 1st this year, any cat not OEM is no longer legal. It is illegal to sell, buy, or install any cat other than an OEM direct fit replacement. If your vehicle already had a hi-flow cat on it you now will be required to prove it was purchased and installed before January 1st of 2009.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermktcat/aftermktcat.htm

Thank God I don't live in Cali

 

[Mike D]

Here is a suggestion that is low cost. Remove the converter, Wrap the converter on an old blanket to keep it from getting scratched up. Now get a large ( 18" ) 3/8 drill bit and drill 10 - 15 holes from the inlet to the outlet. Now reverse the cat and drill the same amount of holes from the outlet to the inlet. Remount on vehicle and run for 15 minutes to blow out any loose junk. Now re hook up the muffler. The vehicle should run better.
Now before you go to inspection make sure your gas tank has only 5 gallons of gas. To this gas add 3 12ounce bottles of Isopropal gas dryer.
With 36 fluid ounces of alcohol in 5 gal gas it should run super clean ( minimal hydrocarbons ). This should get you a pass. As soon as you leave fill up your tank with unleaded. With the high alcohol content ( 36 fl. oz. / 5gal ) your top speed would be 50mph. When you fill up the vehicle will run normal ( achieve high speed ).
By the way, don't tell the inspectors what you have done.