chrisd0729

Need to get the '80 inspected and wondering if I need a cat. There are currently dual straight pipes to stock mufflers... no cats at all.

lars

There were no dual exhaust systems used in 80. It was a single exhaust with a single cat, and then it split into duals after the cat.

Pusher

abstract_zer0

my 81 came with no cats from what the previous/orig owner said. It has dual borlas now (cat-less) and everytime I get it inspected they ask what year it is cuz I think as of 84 it was law to have them

wfo76

All Corvettes beginning with the 1975 models have had a cat. Some states may not require them on cars older than 1980 or some other year, but they were definitely installed on all US and Canada bound Vettes since 1975.

lars

He's pulling your leg... All 81s had a cat. Cats have been used on all GM passenger cars since 1975.

masterspydog

since GM installed them the state requires they be installed to pass unless its older than 74

abstract_zer0

well I always pass it in tx. If im in an emmisions county, they say they have to fill out an afidavat(sp) because it didnt come with one stock so it doesnt have to have one to pass (which it doesnt ever do anyways)

andylmusic76

you can get around it though with side pipes

chrisd0729

How? Unless side pipes without cats were a factory option?

BB72

Most Vette's came with cats, there placement between the rad and the clutch fan is the worst place they could put them. Generally you won't know you have cat's until you start up the car in the morning and the fur starts flying and you hear a loud....rrrraaaaaaaarrrrrrrroooooooowwww w. It's a very distinctive sound. Usually ends up having to clean the engine compartment.

wfo76

Not necessarily true.

MS has no emission inpsections at all and cats are not required.

LA only requires cats on passenger cars 1980 and newer.


just varies state by state.

rcread

Federal law prohibits removal or tampering with any emissions device, including the catalytic converter. There is no place in the USA where you can legally have a 1975 or later Corvette that is not equipped with a catalytic converter. In my state (Washington) they don't inspect cars that are 25 years or older, so they'd never know with a C3 (as of 2007).

wfo76

Correct, and I should have clarified that.
I was only responding to the post that said you cannot pass inspection without a cat.

andylmusic76

i don't think cats came with factory sidepipes...i could be wrong though. and with some of these aftermarket exhaust systems like hooker, for example, have to meet certain requirements, and yet there are no cats connected to their headers...
all i know is that here in florida, a 1977 corvette is not tested for emissions. it's too old. but thing are of course different with newer vettes.

70Donnybrooke

Factory sidepipes stopped well before cats were required. The last car with sidepipes from the factory was 1969. You can buy an aftermarket exhaust system with no provisions for a cat, but it will clearly say for off road use only, because it is illeagal. As for the original posters question: In pa he will have a visual inspection. It depends where he takes it. A shop that does it right will fail it.

3rd_Vette

Your Vette DID come with a cat. It is a FEDERAL law that your car should STILL have one. I find it very hard to believe that your emission testing station lets you slide with a afidavat stating that it didnt come with one from the factory.. THEY ALL HAD THEM FROM 1975 ON! NO EXCEPTIONS! Anyone who says otherwise is sadly mistaken.. No flame here, just TOTAL fact. Granted, alot of States don't check the older cars, but they still are required on all cars 1975 and newer. I wouldn't want to have some over zellous Smog Natzi Highway Patrolman write me up a BIG $$$ ticket just because he got down on his knees and looked under the car!

ford4play

Crab

In Pa they should do a tailpipe emissions test on your car because of its age and they have no computer to plug into. It will pass the tailpipe emission test. The only way it will fail is IF they look under the car and do a visual inspection of the exhaust and see that the cat is missing. It all depends where you take it. Many guys in my area in SW Pa just don't look under the car. By law you are'nt supposed to alter the exhaust sytem in any way. So it should be the 2-1-2 system with 1 cat in the middle. This system absolutely sucks and chokes your car

andylmusic76

true. my bad.
thanks