Fine for no Cats...
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Posts: 3,674
From: El Cerrito, CA
Car Info: 2014 Mazda MX-5 GT PRHT
yeah... sorry about your trouble with the law whtwrxwgn. I hope they don't find anymore subies and don't give you a hefty fine. anyway, what road was that that you were traveling on?
Registered User
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Posts: 1,737
From: Seattle
Car Info: 2009 A3 2.0T quattro
Originally Posted by sireatalot
haha I never mentioned anything about removing a cat.. You're saying that it's legal to have a highflow cat, but it's Illegal to remove a cat. ok,.. that's understandable. but what I'm trying to ask you is, how did you find out that the highflow cat is legal. I mean let's say that there WAS indeed something wrong with a stock cat and you had to replace it (making it legal) but you replace it with a highflow cat.. making it Illegal because it's not legal to have that on cars either. how is a highflow cat legal to install?
(6) When can I install an aftermarket converter?
Generally, there are only 3 situations when you can install an aftermarket converter.
They are:
(1) if the converter is missing from the vehicle when brought in for exhaust
system repair; or
(2) if a State or local inspection program has determined the existing converter
has been lead poisoned, damaged, or otherwise needs replacement; or
(3) if the vehicle is more than 5 years old or has more than 50,000 miles*
(8 years/80,000 miles for 1995 and newer vehicles) and a legitimate need for
replacement has been established and appropriately documented (e.g., a
plugged converter or unrepairable exhaust leaks).
Any other converter replacement must be with a 'certified' or new original equipment (OE)
or equivalent converter.
Aftermarket converters subject to the enforcement policy requirements cannot be used for
replacement if:
(1) the existing converter is present and functioning properly; or
(2) the replacement is under recall or warranty; or
(3) the vehicle is returning from overseas use.
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 102
From: El Sobrante, Oakland
Car Info: 2004 Rally Blue WRX Sedan
yeah where exactly where you at? is your car pretty fixed up and noticable? Wonder if the sleeper look helps... hope you get this resolved and behind you fast!
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Posts: 5,312
From: Why the **** is
Car Info: this required information?
Should u be comaplining about all the old **** berkely cars that stink like 3 time more than catless subaru's? all those old Mercede's and all the other crap cars that are exempt polute way more then a catless suby. and as stated before i think people who run catless are aware of what they can get into...
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iTrader: (5)
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,674
From: El Cerrito, CA
Car Info: 2014 Mazda MX-5 GT PRHT
Originally Posted by mcowger
epa.gov told me. http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/factshts/catcvrts.pdf
(6) When can I install an aftermarket converter?
Generally, there are only 3 situations when you can install an aftermarket converter.
They are:
(1) if the converter is missing from the vehicle when brought in for exhaust
system repair; or
(2) if a State or local inspection program has determined the existing converter
has been lead poisoned, damaged, or otherwise needs replacement; or
(3) if the vehicle is more than 5 years old or has more than 50,000 miles*
(8 years/80,000 miles for 1995 and newer vehicles) and a legitimate need for
replacement has been established and appropriately documented (e.g., a
plugged converter or unrepairable exhaust leaks).
Any other converter replacement must be with a 'certified' or new original equipment (OE)
or equivalent converter.
Aftermarket converters subject to the enforcement policy requirements cannot be used for
replacement if:
(1) the existing converter is present and functioning properly; or
(2) the replacement is under recall or warranty; or
(3) the vehicle is returning from overseas use.
(6) When can I install an aftermarket converter?
Generally, there are only 3 situations when you can install an aftermarket converter.
They are:
(1) if the converter is missing from the vehicle when brought in for exhaust
system repair; or
(2) if a State or local inspection program has determined the existing converter
has been lead poisoned, damaged, or otherwise needs replacement; or
(3) if the vehicle is more than 5 years old or has more than 50,000 miles*
(8 years/80,000 miles for 1995 and newer vehicles) and a legitimate need for
replacement has been established and appropriately documented (e.g., a
plugged converter or unrepairable exhaust leaks).
Any other converter replacement must be with a 'certified' or new original equipment (OE)
or equivalent converter.
Aftermarket converters subject to the enforcement policy requirements cannot be used for
replacement if:
(1) the existing converter is present and functioning properly; or
(2) the replacement is under recall or warranty; or
(3) the vehicle is returning from overseas use.
Registered User
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,737
From: Seattle
Car Info: 2009 A3 2.0T quattro
Originally Posted by sireatalot
Ok... maybe I'm just extremely tired from working today... but I don't see anything about a highflow cat being legal.... again.. I'm not talking about installing.. that's a different matter..
Registered User
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,737
From: Seattle
Car Info: 2009 A3 2.0T quattro
Originally Posted by blue blurr
Should u be comaplining about all the old **** berkely cars that stink like 3 time more than catless subaru's? all those old Mercede's and all the other crap cars that are exempt polute way more then a catless suby. and as stated before i think people who run catless are aware of what they can get into...
Yup, those cars **** me off too. If I had my druthers, they'd be required to meet emissions standards too!
Originally Posted by mcowger
Highflow vs. not highflow doesn't matter. If its legally sold in the US, then the cat meets a certain spec, highflow or not.
Our great great grandkids are going to love the purple sky, and if you don't know what I'm talking about, go take a trip to L.A. in July and look up.
Sorry to go in the weeds on this topic, and I don't hate on those who rip the cats off, but it's just funny to see the cumalative (sp.) effort caused by human greed.
Sorry to go in the weeds on this topic, and I don't hate on those who rip the cats off, but it's just funny to see the cumalative (sp.) effort caused by human greed.
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iTrader: (5)
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,674
From: El Cerrito, CA
Car Info: 2014 Mazda MX-5 GT PRHT
Originally Posted by AzN121184
i thought catless downpipes were legally sold for off road use? can someone clarify this for me?
You're absolutely right. but he's talking about street driving.
Registered User
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,737
From: Seattle
Car Info: 2009 A3 2.0T quattro
How is it unclear?
Aftermarket cats (hiflow or not) are legally sold in the US. If you install it on the car, you better either never run it on the road (e.g. off road only) or fall under the points outlined above.
Aftermarket cats (hiflow or not) are legally sold in the US. If you install it on the car, you better either never run it on the road (e.g. off road only) or fall under the points outlined above.


