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

Can U pass emmissions without a Cat?

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Old Mar 23, 2004 | 06:04 PM
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Default Can U pass emmissions without a Cat?

Not a furry one.
I want to know if you think a car can pass with a gutted catalitic converter.
Thanks


[Modified by nobodyunknown, 5:58 PM 3/23/2004]
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Old Mar 23, 2004 | 06:07 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (nobodyunknown)

it might pass, but it will never pass the visual inspection.
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Old Mar 23, 2004 | 06:13 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat?

I passed an early '80's car without a cat.

The levels that a newer car are required to hit make passing without a cat VERY, VERY unlikely.

-Z
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Old Mar 23, 2004 | 06:15 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (Z-PDX)

I pass the visual because mine is gutted.
I should have mentioned that.
I made the car run cooler by changing the fan switch & thermostat.
So my question is if I make it run hot again but dont replace the Cat. Do you think it will pass?
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Old Mar 23, 2004 | 06:44 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (nobodyunknown)

My son did about 10 years ago on a 1980 Dodge Colt with a gutted cat.

I think it would be tougher on alater model carw with tougher standards.
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Old Mar 23, 2004 | 06:53 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (nobodyunknown)

Not a furry one.
I want to know if you think a car can pass without having a catalitic converter.
Thanks
Not in MA, by no means :nonod:

I tried. I failed. :leaving: (not on the Vette)
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Old Mar 23, 2004 | 07:12 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (nobodyunknown)

2 years ago my LT1 did, on the third pass when I demanded a ride along to watch the gauges. I didn't know then the cats were gutted because a previous owner did it. The motor was stock at that point.

This time around with a cam there was no chance of passing. It was so bad I could smell the fumes when the car was idling and the result was high hydrocarbons. I put on Random tech cats plus headers and it passed with flying colors with no tuning work on the engine.
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Old Mar 23, 2004 | 07:20 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (FELNGR8)

Thanks does yours still smell rich.You might need a chip reprograming.
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Old Mar 23, 2004 | 07:20 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (nobodyunknown)

It depends on your local laws, year of the car, and sometimes, the inspector. My '84 got through fine, first gutted, then removed. With the laws I live under, the inspector isn't a factor. Good luck, and...

RACE ON!!!
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Old Mar 23, 2004 | 08:23 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (nobodyunknown)

in california the answer is a simple NO!
thus in california CAT=NO PASS.
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Old Mar 23, 2004 | 08:36 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (boonie2)

in california the answer is a simple NO!
thus in california CAT=NO PASS.
You mean, NO CAT = NO PASS, right? How about a gutted feline?

RACE ON!!!
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Old Mar 23, 2004 | 09:07 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (nobodyunknown)

I live in Kansas City, MO and it passed the inspection last July when I bought the car. It already had dual exhaust pipes installed with no cats.
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Old Mar 23, 2004 | 09:09 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (nobodyunknown)

Typically if it is in good tune, it will pass the rollers, but not the idle.


I run no cats, then again, I don't have to worry about smog.
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Old Mar 23, 2004 | 09:10 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (CFI-EFI)

Mine passes well within specs with the cat sleeved with pipe, so i pass the visual too. If car is in good tune the cat wont be the deciding factor. My truck passes by the skin of its teeth with a cat in place. :smash:
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Old Mar 23, 2004 | 09:50 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (blk90rdstr)

I failed in AZ with 1 cat on and 1 burnt out. Earlier I had passed an Idle test in TN. I replaced the cat and passed in AZ. Now I have the sidepipes w/no cats, take that AZ :rofl:
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Old Mar 24, 2004 | 06:44 AM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (kman0066)

I have a 90 ford truck that passes
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Old Mar 24, 2004 | 08:21 AM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (nobodyunknown)

I pass the visual because mine is gutted.
I should have mentioned that.
I made the car run cooler by changing the fan switch & thermostat.
So my question is if I make it run hot again but dont replace the Cat. Do you think it will pass?
I would be surprised.

To be honest, I don't believe that removing the cat is worth the cost to the environment vs. the gain in power. Is 5hp worth messing up the air we breathe?

Get some used cats from a corvette salvage yard, or a pair of cheap Walker cats... If you have the $$$ get some Random Tech cats - they are the best.

I am not a tree hugger, but I do like having clean air, and if using a cat is what is required to keep my air clean, then so be it. It strikes me as selfish when people remove the cat just cause they "don't like them".

What's not to like? They are non-invasive, no moving parts... and they do an important job. I would hate to think how our air would look if not for them (for reference, check the LA Basin, circa 1965).

So, do the right thing and reinstall a couple of cats. The power gain isn't worth the energy wasted on this discussion. :rolleyes:
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To Can U pass emmissions without a Cat?

Old Mar 24, 2004 | 08:25 AM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (bogus)

I was thinking of my wallet as a Catalitic can cost a few hundred to make it run worse.Sorry if I wasted your energy.
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Old Mar 24, 2004 | 04:10 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (bogus)

There's a million ways to debate this. I used to have a link to an EPA article that said that catalytic converters actually created more O-zone damanging pollution than cars without. So you can take your pick, some smog and acid rain, or no O-zone?

Frankly I don't care one way or the other. I installed headers on my car for the performance gain they give, not just because it gets rid of the cats. I would never remove a working cat from a car just to put a pipe in it's place. Futhermore if they started doing emissions testing in KY and I had to put cats on my car I would gladly do it.

As it sits my car is in perfect tune and I keep it that way. It dumps less pollution into the air than a lot of vehicles out there that people neglect. To make up for my lack of cats I'll just use a rake instead of a leaf blower when the fall comes around.
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Old Mar 24, 2004 | 05:28 PM
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Default Re: Can U pass emmissions without a Cat? (JB666)

Not a furry one.
I want to know if you think a car can pass without having a catalitic converter.
Thanks

Not in MA, by no means :nonod:

I tried. I failed. :leaving: (not on the Vette)
AHOOOOOOO. But..But I just canned the cat for headers, 2.5 exaust(no cats), Big cam, heads,ported intake 52mm t/b :skep: Looks like I'll be going fast with a nice R on my windshield :sad: or maybee I know the right person :jester
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