this is for the local VA drivers:

folks with j-pipes, catbacks, CAI, and/or HFPC's...any issues with passing emissions in the commonwealth???

i have a CAI (my only exhaust system mod), but absolutely no issues.

wondering if those running a j-pipe (with the 3rd cat delete) and/or a catback have had any issues??? or do you guys just swap for stock when it comes time to test (ala Cali)??

 

You should have no problem
maybe the thread bellow might help with your CAI question.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080919

Also google 'AEM Inatekes legal' and they say they are legal in 50 states

 

i've had no issues with my CAI for the last 6 yrs. i'm wondering about the j-pipe. i know there is no sniffer test. they do the OBD plug test, check for tail pipe smoke and holes in your exhaust system...will they be particular about aftermarket toys like cali?

 

most places won't even know if you have a aftermarket j-pipe lol but i don't know about emissions since down here in southern va, they don't have that. plus ... i don't get my car "inspected" lol

 

would a dealer really care if it was aftermarket??

 

i guess it would depend on the dealer, and the inspector. you know anyone that can do it? or a friend of a friend or something?

 

we have emissions? Oh you mean Northern Va.

 

Sometimes I have nocturnal emissions..

 

 

well i asked a friend that works at a dealer about what they visually look for during emissions. he said they look for any visible smoke out of the tail pipe (s), abnormal noise, and check for holes in the exhaust system along with the OBD-II plug test. i didn't exactly ask if they checked for aftermarket parts or alterations.

i'm just curious before i plunge into possible getting a j-pipe.

yeah No. VA...us metro area polluters degrading the ozone and contributing to global warming. i'm looking to leave the biggest carbon footprint possible!!!!!!

um...oookkkkaaay....

 

Maybe if every car between Maryland and Fred didn't sit still in traffic idling for hours a day there wouldn't be an issue.

Good luck on that footprint.

 

there are just too many people in the DC metro area. and it's only getting worse.

fortunately, i dont' idle in traffic...i hate traffic. there are plenty of people that live in the sticks and drive 2-3 hrs into DC . not worth it.

plus it's usually some idiot that can't drive slowing everyone down (yea, the texters, crackberry and it's all about me phone users). .

 

Oh I know it.

I had a commute from RVa to Tysons once a week and between rubber neckers and bus traffic I almost lost it.

Luckily they offer a shuttle service now, which sucks but wifi makes life easier.

 

I use to live in Fairfax and emissions pretty much was just them hooking up the machine to test the gasses. They would check for exhaust leaks (sound) and holes in the muffler. I did have one inspector put it on a lift to check the whole system one time. I would think you could get by pretty easily as long as you pass the gas test and they dont start looking further.

 

It really comes down to the inspector and how anal they want to be. Some inspectors just for emission the inspector may just check the gas cap and take the reading from the computer. Others I have seen put the car on the rack and check all the emission related equipment, to make sure you have no leaks, all catalytic converters are there, and no exhaust wraps. They cannot fail you for aftermarket equipment unless it in someway it interferes with the emissions control system, like if you have a CAI and it doesn't have a nipple for the PCV or you have a intake manifold with an egr block off plate.

So as log as you install your J-pipe and you have no leaks you are good. If you do a third cat delete then you may want to find a lazy inspector. Usually around inspection time, all I do is when I get gas I just take note of the inspector and how far they go when inspecting a car. The inspector at the Franklin Farms Sunoco goes all out, puts your car on the rack and will thoroughly inspect everything.

 

Im so glad they only do a safety inspection down here.

 

This is what it boils down to.

 

Would the HFPC pass insection/emissions as from what I remember they usually just plug in the OBII sensor and call it a day. This is specific to Fairfax County.