Legal Exhaust changes

Drdogface · Drdogface's Garage

Living here in the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia we're always threatened by the BAR (Smog Nazis) so I figger I better ask before doing any exhaust changes.

My 78 SC passed smog easily last November. I would like to go to SSI's and perhaps a higher flow muffler and Cat if I can still pass. As far as I know my system is stock.

Experts...can I get away with this...if so what besides the SSI's can/should I consider.

Thanks

eurocarrera · 02-04-2005, 09:08 AM

I'm not an SC expert, but with my Carrera, I think I am going to have to replace my CAT the next time I bring it in for smog.

After speaking with some of the people who run the smog stations, and then a representative from one of the referee stations (I wanted to just call and complain - just for the heck of it), it appears the biggest issue is the NO output which has to be between something like 1000 - 1500 PPM. The ONLY way I hear of to reduce that figure is to actually have a 3-way CAT on the car. So, all I do is put the stuff back on the car every two years like several other people do as well just to make it pass. This may be able to be acomplished via advancing or retarding of the timing, but like I said I am not an SC expert. ANyone have a 5 way gas analyzer????

tiorio · 02-04-2005, 11:45 AM

You can get away with the headers and the exhaust. The CAT is a problem. Here's a quote from the CA DMV site:

Catalytic Converters
A legal aftermarket catalyst is one that is listed in an ARB approved manufacturers catalogue for the year, make, model, and engine size of vehicle on which it is being installed. Manufacturers of aftermarket catalytic converters must obtain an Executive Order for their products from the Air Resources Board in order to be listed in an approved catalogue.

So you need a CA legal CAT for your exact car. Don't know what's available but I'm sure a little additional research will reveal what (if anything) is available.

Vipergrün · 02-04-2005, 03:45 PM

You only need the cat for the visual. Proof: I passed smog on my SC with a gutted cat

I had to lean the heck out ot the mixture, to the point she would barely idle, but she passed.

ljp911 · 02-04-2005, 04:07 PM

I'm not positive but I believe that the SSI's are not compatible with a cat. You may pass the emissions but fail the visual.

randywebb · 02-04-2005, 04:38 PM

only need the cat for the visual....

The problem is that they don't (yet) do a cold start test. The car may pass the regualr test when it is warm but will pollute like crazy until it warms up w/o a cat on it. You may not care, but there is a reason for the stringent regs. -- people are dying from air pollution every day and you are contributing to that. Not to mention the other resource damage being done.

Drdogface · Drdogface's Garage

Randy,
Thanks for your input. BTW, I didn't say I wanted to remove the cat...just get a more modern one w/o all the flow restriction if such is available. Pls don't assume I don't care !!

randywebb · 02-04-2005, 05:12 PM

OK.

BTW, The ones PAG uses on its new cars are supposed to be very free-flowing. Not sure what to do re an older engine.

ncoder · ncoder's Garage

Quote:

The problem is that they don't (yet) do a cold start test. The car may pass the regualr test when it is warm but will pollute like crazy until it warms up w/o a cat on it.

It is my understanding that a catalizer only starts working properly when it is warmed-up. I don't know how they'll ever be able to do cold start tests on older cars... Most of them would just fail miserably.

randywebb · 02-04-2005, 09:09 PM

Ah, that's where the fast warm up cats on the newer cars come in.

Quicksilver · 02-05-2005, 05:26 AM

The kids at the test only station that I take my car to wouldn't recognize a 'visual' difference if I put a Cosworth DFV in the car. Just make sure there is a good quality CAT in there.

Someone listed an extremely good performance CAT yesterday. I'll see if I can find it.

Wayne

Quicksilver · 02-05-2005, 05:33 AM

Found it. Here is the vendor link that I liked a lot:
http://www.randomtechnology.com/technical.html

The thread that it came off of is here:
sport cat, free-flowing cat

Wayne

yogi · 02-05-2005, 06:12 AM

I sent an email about the Lenz powerkat. They sent me back saying it's a direct bolt in and comes with gaskets, bolts and the bunge for the o2. The price is steep at $850.

I called random and they said their cat is around $250. They would need information to make it for the Porsche. They need to know overall length, where the bunge for the o2 is placed, and the diameter of the in and out pipe. I'm not sure how to describe the in pipe to them. They do not have dyno runs to compare on the porsche. In almost all instances there is a power increase in using their cat over a stock cat. If someone can supply them with the info they need I know I would be interested in one. From what I've read you want the metal core cat.

randywebb · 02-05-2005, 10:38 AM

Will the fuel system automatically adjust for a lower flow cat?

I'd want to know before putting one on.... Good luck.

sjp_30188 · 02-05-2005, 11:29 AM

Beware the visual inspection of the cat. I left the cat off and just went to the inspection station in Georgia with a straight pipe. I watched the guy, he bent down, looked at the muffler, checked "yes" on the visual cat question, and tested the car. Still failed NO without the cat, had to put it back on, but I got quite a chuckle

randywebb · 02-05-2005, 02:09 PM

In some states if you fail certain inspections - e.g. non-std. equip. - they put you on a special list, and you will get special attention....

Luckily, Asscroft is no longer Atty. Genl, tho....