Hi. My check engine code has been on forever telling me it's a bad cat.
It's had a maf issue I've now fixed but my question is.

If I remove the pre-cats for straight pipes and replace the center with a
magnaflow cat will it pass smog? Has anyone done this?

Stock replacements are very expensive almost not even worth keeping the car.
I understand I can use defoulers to trick the obd code but will it actaully pass?


edit: Also, sometimes the code will turn off and after I park the car will smell like rotten eggs.
But that is rare.

 

From what I've seen reported by other members, yes it will pass. The precats only affect cold engine exhaust. As long as you have a main cat, and you warm the car up first, you will pass emissions.

 

Depends on the state you live in. Some states just do an ODB2 test, some look for the cats, and some do a tailpipe test.

 

If you just gut the precats then it still appears they are there. With anti-foulers there would be no code on OBDII and with an actual main cat you would still pass emissions testing from the pipe. I'd say go for it.

 

my maxima had precat codes when i got it. but i noticed that it usually took a day or 2 for the light to come back on once it was cleared. so i took my scanner to the test, cleared the code while waiting in line and breezed right thru

 

Knowing your location would be helpful.

In California without pre-cats and an aftermarket main cat you would be hard pressed in passing the current emission standards with the sniff test. Those standards are only becoming tighter...

 

Agreed. In California it wouldn't pass the visual inspection. My last smog test passed by the slimmest of margins in CA. I figure I have 2 years now to drive it to death since it won't pass next time with the CA standards. I guess in 2 years I could sell it to someone in a state that doesn't have a tailpipe test.

 

Has California changed to 2 year inspections? It was every year when I lived there. Also, if the car didn't pass, you could get an exemption for a year if you showed receipts for repairs that totaled $400 (something like that). The car would have to pass the next inspection, no exemption again.

 

And this is just one of the reasons I don't live in Commiefornia.

 

California has made it complicated....but, basically most cars require smog every 2 years.

If you have a car 6 years old or newer, no smog required unless you transfer the title if the car is 5 or 6 years old.

Any gasoline powered car 1975 year model or older does not require smog. Diesel is 1997 or older.

Of course..natural gas or electric powered is exempt altogether.

The smog test every year was the initial roll out to help build a history of auto emissions.

Also, there are some counties and zip codes which do not require emission testing altogether.

 

Thanks for the info. Just curious. I had problems with a car and had gotten an exemption. Can you still get?

 

Nope...you have options to have it repaired to pass or retire the vehicle. There is an assistance program for individuals meeting the income requirement.

Last time I failed I spent almost $1,000 in repairs. Oof...

 

If you put a test pipe then the code will throw for sure.

 

I'm in california btw.

I'll just get the o2 extender and a magnaflow center.
See if that passes.

If it don't then I'll just gut the pre-cats since they're clogged anyway.
or at least that's what the code is.

 

... If you ask the right people you have a good chance of passing ;-) Hint Hint!