C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Pre-cats, Y pipe

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Old Feb 9, 2007 | 10:34 AM
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Default Pre-cats, Y pipe

I seemed to have read somewhere here on the Forum that, here in Calif. that it was legal to replace the pre-cats with a straight y pipe and larger main cat.

Has anyone had any experience or know of this?

Thanks!
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Old Feb 9, 2007 | 10:42 AM
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I'm not filmiliar with Calif. laws. I know here that there is not a law again removing the precats, but a huge fine if the Cat is removed or hollowed.

I have had a muffler shop remove the precats, but wouldn't touch the main cat.
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Old Feb 9, 2007 | 12:47 PM
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That’s funny, Californian allowing you to remove factory installed/Californian mandated emission equipment!
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Old Feb 9, 2007 | 01:03 PM
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That is funny. They are supposed to have the toughest emissions regulations.

"We're going to clean up the whole planet, one stinkin' state at a time. Peace, dope, love, Dude."
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Old Feb 9, 2007 | 04:26 PM
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California doesn't allow you to remove any smog equipment. Most Smog techs don't know Corvettes so as long as they look under car and see one cat and car passes sniffer test, no problem. Pre cats don't do anything for California smog anyway. The are there to pass cold start emissions requirement, not a problem in LaLa land.

Larry
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Old Feb 9, 2007 | 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by BIG K
I seemed to have read somewhere here on the Forum that, here in Calif. that it was legal to replace the pre-cats with a straight y pipe and larger main cat.

Has anyone had any experience or know of this?

Thanks!
Probably just someones' opinion. That someone will not be there when you go to pay your fine. The California statute is public record. My suggestion would be to read it. I was a certified state inspector years ago. If you can quote the statute, and are within it, they will back off.
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Old Feb 10, 2007 | 12:25 AM
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You need to talk to Andy Bogus. He lives in Cal and knows all the smog rules
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Old Feb 10, 2007 | 12:30 AM
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Has anyone had any experience or know of this?
The mandrel bent pre-catless front Y w/ 3-stage main cat is 49-states legal, take a SWAG at in which state it is illegal...

You could get around a strict visual check by cutting the pre-cat shells from the stock exhaust and having them welded around a nice mandrel-bent front Y; then a hi-flow 3-stage main cat would get you past the sniffer.
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Old Feb 10, 2007 | 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by RRT vette
I'm not filmiliar with Calif. laws. I know here that there is not a law again removing the precats, but a huge fine if the Cat is removed or hollowed.

I have had a muffler shop remove the precats, but wouldn't touch the main cat.
do they emission test in Bogalusa? I can help you with a inspection if needed. I have never had a vette fail.
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Old Feb 12, 2007 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by 65Z01
The mandrel bent pre-catless front Y w/ 3-stage main cat is 49-states legal, take a SWAG at in which state it is illegal
The mandrel bent head pipes without the pre cats was standard equipment for Canadian Corvettes. All U.S. cars came with pre cats. You could buy Canadian pipe from GM once. I bought them for 2 L-98's before they stopped making them.

Larry
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