Inspection Question
Inspection Question
This is my first car and I will drive it for long time ( After I finish University maybe 
). I usually be a good boy keep the car stock and do inspection ( nothing fail ). Now after I do the ATF change to Racing ATF, I'm looking for more.After I refuse the intake mod I come to the exhaust. I want to ask what will cause the inspection to fail and how to fix it. As far as I research only Pre-cat make the inspection fail. But one of my friend keeps arguing with me that if I touch any part of the systems, it's still fail.
). I usually be a good boy keep the car stock and do inspection ( nothing fail ). Now after I do the ATF change to Racing ATF, I'm looking for more.After I refuse the intake mod I come to the exhaust. I want to ask what will cause the inspection to fail and how to fix it. As far as I research only Pre-cat make the inspection fail. But one of my friend keeps arguing with me that if I touch any part of the systems, it's still fail.
AZ Community Team
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 32,488
Likes: 7,771
From: N35°03'16.75", W 080°51'0.9"
In some states (I should say, "In MY state" because I don't know about YOUR state), it's also illegal to alter the factory exhaust and headlights.
OP, you need to know the inspection standard in TEXAS. Some guy in California or Ohio or North Carolina prabably doesn't know what the inspection in Texas covers.
BTW. Cat =
OR
Catalytic Converter.
Last edited by Bearcat94; Oct 3, 2010 at 06:28 PM.
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I try to search on google and look at the laws. Nothing says about the pre cat or something about modify, I think. Some people say can, some people say can't. That's why I try question. The cat look so innocent so I don't think I will want to make him a part of exhaust system.
.
Last edited by boyhamdzui; Oct 3, 2010 at 06:07 PM.
AZ Community Team
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 32,488
Likes: 7,771
From: N35°03'16.75", W 080°51'0.9"
I try to search on google and look at the laws. Nothing says about the pre cat or something about modify, I think. Some people say can, some people say can't. That's why I try question. The cat look so innocent so I don't think I will want to make him a part of exhaust system.
.If you do remove or alter ANY catalytic converter (we have 3), and get caught at inspection you WILL fail.
If you DON'T get caught .... .
I'm not being "johnny do-gooder" here. I don't care who's legal and who's not. But at least know what you're getting into.
FWIW - mine passed NC inspection with a 3rd cat delete. GolfJWR failed NC inspection for the same thing. He got caught, I didn't. That's how it goes.
Last edited by Bearcat94; Oct 3, 2010 at 06:29 PM.
AZ Community Team
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 32,488
Likes: 7,771
From: N35°03'16.75", W 080°51'0.9"
My point is the law won't say anything about "pre-cat". "Pre-cat" is just a nick-name used around here. The law will just say "catalytic converter".
http://www.catalyticconverter.org/law/index.htm
Catalytic Converter Laws
Rules for Replacing Converters
In 1986, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued new guidelines for the construction, efficiency and installation of aftermarket catalytic converters. All CleanAir converters listed in this catalog have been designed, tested and manufactured to meet this policy.
In addition, CleanAir converter listed in this catalog is appropriate for use under the current requirements of the California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.).
E.P.A. guidelines state that replacement converters may be installed only in the following situations:
1. The vehicle is missing a converter
2. A state or local inspection program has determined that the existing converter needs replacement
3. Vehicles manufactured prior to 1996 must have more than 50,000 miles, and a legitimate need for replacement must be established and documented
4. In cases of OBD Il-equipped vehicles (1996 and later), the O.E. manufacturer's 8-year/80,000-mile warranty must have expired and a legitimate need for replacement must be established and documented.
Please note that Federal law prohibits removal or replacement of a properly functioning O.E. converter.
When replacement of the converter is appropriate (as outlined above), the E.P.A. further requires that:
1. It be installed in the same location as the original
2. It be the same type as the original (i.e., two-way, three-way, three-way plus air/three-way plus oxidation)
3. It be the proper model for the vehicle application as determined and specified by the manufacturer
4. It be properly connected to any existing air injection components on the vehicle
5. It be installed with any other required converter for a particular application
6. It be accompanied by a warranty information card to be completed by the installer.
Rules for Replacing Converters
In 1986, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued new guidelines for the construction, efficiency and installation of aftermarket catalytic converters. All CleanAir converters listed in this catalog have been designed, tested and manufactured to meet this policy.
In addition, CleanAir converter listed in this catalog is appropriate for use under the current requirements of the California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.).
E.P.A. guidelines state that replacement converters may be installed only in the following situations:
1. The vehicle is missing a converter
2. A state or local inspection program has determined that the existing converter needs replacement
3. Vehicles manufactured prior to 1996 must have more than 50,000 miles, and a legitimate need for replacement must be established and documented
4. In cases of OBD Il-equipped vehicles (1996 and later), the O.E. manufacturer's 8-year/80,000-mile warranty must have expired and a legitimate need for replacement must be established and documented.
Please note that Federal law prohibits removal or replacement of a properly functioning O.E. converter.
When replacement of the converter is appropriate (as outlined above), the E.P.A. further requires that:
1. It be installed in the same location as the original
2. It be the same type as the original (i.e., two-way, three-way, three-way plus air/three-way plus oxidation)
3. It be the proper model for the vehicle application as determined and specified by the manufacturer
4. It be properly connected to any existing air injection components on the vehicle
5. It be installed with any other required converter for a particular application
6. It be accompanied by a warranty information card to be completed by the installer.
I know but I really did search for catalytic converter not pre-cat. This is what I found
1. Inspection Procedure. Examine visually.
2. Inspect for and reject if:
a. The exhaust emission system has been removed.
b. The exhaust emission system has been disconnected.
c. The plumbing or hoses are loose, broken, leaking, or improperly routed.
d. Air pump (air injection-type) belt is loose, removed, excessively cracked, frayed or has pieces missing.
e.The exhaust emission system has been altered in any manner to make it ineffective.
f. The catalytic converter has been removed, leaking, or disconnected on a 1984 or later model vehicle.
I don't know If I found the whole things or not (it seem short to me ).
( Sorry I don't know how to quote)
1. Inspection Procedure. Examine visually.
2. Inspect for and reject if:
a. The exhaust emission system has been removed.
b. The exhaust emission system has been disconnected.
c. The plumbing or hoses are loose, broken, leaking, or improperly routed.
d. Air pump (air injection-type) belt is loose, removed, excessively cracked, frayed or has pieces missing.
e.The exhaust emission system has been altered in any manner to make it ineffective.
f. The catalytic converter has been removed, leaking, or disconnected on a 1984 or later model vehicle.
I don't know If I found the whole things or not (it seem short to me ).
( Sorry I don't know how to quote)
Last edited by boyhamdzui; Oct 3, 2010 at 11:31 PM.
AZ Community Team
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 32,488
Likes: 7,771
From: N35°03'16.75", W 080°51'0.9"
So if you do "pre-cat deletes" or replace the 3rd cat with a race pipe and they see it, it will fail.
You should be OK for sure with a J-Pipe and a Cat-Back exhaust (from the 3rd cat to the tips).
Some of the other stuff on there seems to be about exhaust bypass or cut-outs.
If you run "Pre-cat deletes" or change the 3rd cat for a race pipe you will still be illegal (same as I am and same as a hundred guys on here are) even if you pass inspection.
You should be OK for sure with a J-Pipe and a Cat-Back exhaust (from the 3rd cat to the tips).
Some of the other stuff on there seems to be about exhaust bypass or cut-outs.
If you run "Pre-cat deletes" or change the 3rd cat for a race pipe you will still be illegal (same as I am and same as a hundred guys on here are) even if you pass inspection.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 47
From: NYC
OP, you ask, yet you don't listen. If you believe that what you found is the right stuff, then go with it..... listen to Bearcat... If you mess with components used for clean air emissions, it is illegal. In fact, doing any modifications to the car's exhaust whatsoever is illegal, but anything other than what affects air emissions falls into another category, even though they may not enforced as much. Example is mufflers: you're stepping into the noise laws...this is where "unreasonable noise", "loud muffler" tickets come in. These are noise pollution laws. Will you pass because you have a louder exhaust, but air emissions system are intact? I couldn't tell you that, and no one can for your state, your inspection shops etc.
I live in NYC, if i go get inspected at a shop, they don't really care how loud my car is...but a cop could pull me over for loud exhaust.
There's really no silver bullet to this.
I live in NYC, if i go get inspected at a shop, they don't really care how loud my car is...but a cop could pull me over for loud exhaust.
There's really no silver bullet to this.
^+1 Im in new york also and get inspections all the time where i go as long as i dont have a check engine light im good lol. my car is really loud and smells like fumes but still pass lmao
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