No cats
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No cats
I am putting LT headers on my 02 Vette. I live in a county that requires emissions testing. I've been told if after installing the headers and get a dyno tune the tuner can deactivate the rear o2 sensors and the emissions test machine will not notice and will pass it. Before I install headers without cats I like confirmation this is accurate.
Thanks guys.
Thanks guys.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Florida
Does yours do the sniffer test or diagnostic? If the former, then I don't think it will work. The carbon monoxide will be plentiful. I've never lived in a state with emissions testing though, so I can't really be much help there.
Also, have you ever owned a car without cats?
On my last car, I removed them and had them back on in a month. Anytime I drove it, or was even around the car with it running ie. walking behind it, showing friends, etc. my shirt would literally smell like gasoline. It would linger, and be on me. Not to mention just smelling it in general from the car. In the end I just didn't think it was worth the arguable 5hp.
Also, have you ever owned a car without cats?
On my last car, I removed them and had them back on in a month. Anytime I drove it, or was even around the car with it running ie. walking behind it, showing friends, etc. my shirt would literally smell like gasoline. It would linger, and be on me. Not to mention just smelling it in general from the car. In the end I just didn't think it was worth the arguable 5hp.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
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My opinion is go for it! 
You won’t know if you love it or hate it until you drive without them for a while. I have 1-7/8 LTs with 3” catless X pipe and Corsa Xtreme. It’s loud, smelly, and amazing...but I don’t DD my Vette and am a purist. So I love the raw nature of a cat less setup.
I live in an emissions state (PA) and would certainly fail a sniffer test, which is required in PA. My strategy, drive less then 5000 miles a year so I am exempt from any emissions testing. Small beneficial loop hole here in PA. If I go over 5k miles...I know a guy...but don’t expect to have to exercise that hookup.
You won’t know if you love it or hate it until you drive without them for a while. I have 1-7/8 LTs with 3” catless X pipe and Corsa Xtreme. It’s loud, smelly, and amazing...but I don’t DD my Vette and am a purist. So I love the raw nature of a cat less setup.I live in an emissions state (PA) and would certainly fail a sniffer test, which is required in PA. My strategy, drive less then 5000 miles a year so I am exempt from any emissions testing. Small beneficial loop hole here in PA. If I go over 5k miles...I know a guy...but don’t expect to have to exercise that hookup.
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There is no sense in running a system without cats, not only is this not a environment friendly idea, but you gain virtually zero hp & your car will stink like rotten eggs. The headers will give you plenty of sound if that's what you are shooting for
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Actually there is a benefit. $500 savings not having to buy cats. Plus the cats I have to use with my system in order to keep modifications to a minimum have been on backorder for 8 weeks now. . I only drive the car around 3k per year, so I doubt my contribution to the destruction of the earth is significant.
Burning Brakes
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Sorry, I'm sarcastic before my morning coffee. Everyone is entitled to an opinion! I guess I like being smelly
Last edited by wscott62893; May 7, 2019 at 06:44 AM.
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I am putting LT headers on my 02 Vette. I live in a county that requires emissions testing. I've been told if after installing the headers and get a dyno tune the tuner can deactivate the rear o2 sensors and the emissions test machine will not notice and will pass it. Before I install headers without cats I like confirmation this is accurate.
Thanks guys.
Thanks guys.
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To directly answer your question, if it's is a "Scan Only" emissions test, then yes, if the rear O2's have been turned off thus disabling the CEL for them, you will pass. If however, a tailpipe sniffer is used (unlikely, I only know of these being used on Pre OBDII cars), you'll fail because of the lack of the cats.
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Last edited by 449er; May 7, 2019 at 08:08 AM.
nice!
Burning Brakes
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From: Romeoville, IL
Plus depends on what type of exhaust you have. Your car will be LOUD.
All my friends who don't have CATS I can hear them coming blocks away when coming over.
They all stink like rotten eggs on long drives.
All my friends who don't have CATS I can hear them coming blocks away when coming over.
They all stink like rotten eggs on long drives.
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Burning Brakes
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Racer
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From: Florida
$500 extra? I'd recommend to just get the JBA headers, they come stainless steel, ceramic coated, or titanium coated. $650 ish although I've seen sales for much cheaper.
These come with flanges that mount to stock cats with minor cutting and welding.
In fact, these were the same used on superchevy.com a few years back and is still on their site today.
After going catless, it never made sense to me why people do it.
These come with flanges that mount to stock cats with minor cutting and welding.
In fact, these were the same used on superchevy.com a few years back and is still on their site today.
After going catless, it never made sense to me why people do it.
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$500 extra? I'd recommend to just get the JBA headers, they come stainless steel, ceramic coated, or titanium coated. $650 ish although I've seen sales for much cheaper.
These come with flanges that mount to stock cats with minor cutting and welding.
In fact, these were the same used on superchevy.com a few years back and is still on their site today.
After going catless, it never made sense to me why people do it.
These come with flanges that mount to stock cats with minor cutting and welding.
In fact, these were the same used on superchevy.com a few years back and is still on their site today.
After going catless, it never made sense to me why people do it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
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To go catless or not has always felt like a “what’s the best brand oil” kind of thread to me. You’ll get 825 different opinions with a few facts mixed in. All the facts have been posted, in my opinion. The OP has the info they need to make a decision. Good luck with your choice!
Of course catless is the best choice
Of course catless is the best choice
Last edited by wscott62893; May 8, 2019 at 06:35 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: NoVA
If there is a visual inspection I would expect you to fail. No cats is kind of obvious.
I would say you have a choice where you can either pay to put them on now or pay even more to have them put on later.
You get to pick!
I would say you have a choice where you can either pay to put them on now or pay even more to have them put on later.
You get to pick!