I'm wondering specifically if anyone was ever caught without a Catalytic Converter (probably due to being pulled over for having an Aftermarket Exhaust). I'm running an Agency Catback and Invidia Downpipe.

Threw on a couple resonators but no Cat. The EPA states that you can get fined $2,500 for no Cat... OUCH!

 

Do you still have your OEM header?

 

Yeah I do, but I'm pretty sure deleting/modifying ANY Cat is illegal.

 

I still pass inspection with just the cat in the header.

 

really? what mods do you have?

 

still looking for anyone pulled over by a statey who checked :D maybe i should start another thread as a poll to see how many people are running catless under the car. if enough people are going catless and nobody was ever hassled, ill feel much better.

 

My buddy had the Megan drift spec and Megan header on his 05 tC, and got pulled over and got a fix it ticket, thats only cause NY is very strict with that stuff, even with just the exhaust he had gotten pulled over a few times......

if your going catless at least get a bigger, better designed resanator.......

 

Most cops don't know what a cat is, they will most likely get you for the noise you're making haha

Unless it smells really bad they will probably check for a cat, but if u have taken out the secondary one they can't tell

I have a Megan midpipe they can't see it, but they can see the axle back.

 

What State are you in? Most States a somewhat lax on that kind of stuff I feel like. but I live in Cali and anything not stock is illegal.

If you are in Cali its about $500 for an Emissions ticket.

Been there done that.

 

I still have the secondary cat installed on my tC, but I run a catless aftermarket header, like basically all performance ones are. And have the Injen SES axle back. with the Injen CAI as well. I havent gotten hassled in the state I live in right now.
I read an article recently in the current edition of Import Tuner mag. Titled " Five Legal Issues you need to know" referring to aftermarket performance parts on our cars. It even had a U.S. map showing which states have adopted laws on the books regarding issues like this... and the ones that dont. I know the db level on my setup is around 90-93 db's. The legal limit is 95 db's on street driven vehicles. You generally wont see ANY company make a system louder then that... as they would get slapped with huge fines for selling a product like that in the U.S. common market. If I'm near a cop, I generally will up-shift one gear to turn lower rpms (less noise) or simply push in the clutch and drop it to idle for a few seconds as they pass by. The only thing that makes my setup illegal is I have deleted the primary cat, but I can still pass the emissions test that shows the amounts of all the particulates at the muffler tip of the exhaust.

 

^^ what this guy said. i mean basically what you need to do is just not drive like a idiot around cops. best thing to do is just take it easy around the cops untill he passes i usally just drop out of gear around cops and i have no issues. or just up shift like mouse said and give light gas so they dont pay attention cause im running a Tsudo mid with TRD axelback and its pretty loud. but cops dont usally mess with me at all.

What robocop is trying to say. if you are still running stock header you still have a cat on the car. there is actually 2 cats that are on the tC. one in the midpipe and one on the stock header. if you are just running a aftermarket midpipe and S pipe you will be fine. cause you still have a cat on the car. I passed inspection with Tsudo midpipe, and TRD axelback. because I think only have to have one cat on the car i believe if I'm not mistaken. to pass inspection and emissions not 100% sure but thats what i have heard from inspectors. so I mean as long as you don't change the header. you should be fine. even if you get pulled and they check you still have a cat on the header.

 

Yup, point being, don't be a idiot around cops and draw attention, I have the Megan drift spec and a downpipe,and if I see a cop behind me, I drive normal but keep it in the lower gears or shift at about 2500 rpms,or if I'm passing one most likely drop the the lowest gear and slightly on the gas,if your doing the right thing you should be fine, for the most part I've been fine, I did have the Megan header on for a few days, but took it off cause it did smell and was a bit too loud for me and I missed my sound of the Megans exhaust,and the car felt more responsive once I switched back from Megans to the stock header.

 

Also if you're truly worried, get a High Flow cat installed.

 

No way for a high flow cat on a stock or any production headers without doing something very custom. Plus, legally speaking, once you remove the stock header (if it's not documented by a shop as failed), you must replace it in the same spot. So, even if you had a DC header (or whatever) and you put a high flow cat in on the S-pipe or somewhere else, you still technically violated federal emissions laws.

 

Ahh the legal system....

My header and downpipe have both been replaced... thus all OEM catalytic converters are gone.
I have had a standard catalytic converter placed after my downpipe before my resinators.
I still pass Colorado state emissions.

So whose laws/restictions have I violated?
I pass emissions... EPA can't say anything
DOT or SAE might have a case since it's not a certified component for on road use.
I pass emissions and it's below noise ordinance... I won't say the police can't do anything, but that is not within their technical jurisdiction unless it comes from EPA, DOT or SAE.
Yes?

In my view... if you modify your exhaust all you should have to do is meet EPA regs and city ordinance for noise...

 

I run a Megan Racing header, custom midpipe with a Hushpower 18" and two 12" Cherry Bombs, with the Megan drift spec axelback. No cats, and it's a little loud; but I've never been hassled once.

Got pulled over and given a speeding ticket a few months ago (case just got dismissed today btw, woot! Attorneys FTW) and the cop said nothing about my exhaust, even though I was pretty much flooring it.

 

Now that's living dangeresque in Cali...

 

i wanna hear it

 

A little off topic, but kinda on topic. I'm from MI, and there is no smog or emissions tests or anything like that here. if I were to drive my car to Cali, or some State like that where having a set up like mine (no cats, turbo) is ticketable, could I get a ticket?

Or would I not because my car is legal in Michigan?

 

Technically your car would be legal. It all depends on how LONG you are there. And in order for you to be smog/emissions tested you would have to register the vehicle there OR have been issued a summons for you to do so due to an obvious reason.
But if you simply drive to the state, no you cannot be ticketed. (There are circumstances that make this untrue. But if you don't drive like an idiot, you have no problems)