If only it had 80k on it, put more miles on the car, at 80k it's "possable" that your factory cat is worn out and needs to be replaced, like with a highflow aftermarket one.

 

This is true, but how many smog techs know to look for an up-pipe in a WRX? It's a relatively rare motor, and the up-pipe doesn't exactly jump out at a person...

 

Well, the shop I took the car too is most likely going to be swapping full exhaust system back to stock including the up-pipe. I'm on my way to class right now, so is there any page with a tutorial on removing the up-pipe and other exhaust system stuff? I'm going to be putting the exhaust system back on after the smog (even though the greddy evo2 isn't CA legal haha)

Kevin

 

There's no point in puting the up pipe back on. As long as you have the CEL fix and the 2nd and 3rd you'll be fine. I've read that even just the main cat by itself is enough to pass the sniffer. Since they can't throw your car on a dyno, all they can do is rev the engine. So, just the main cat sounds reasonable.

Here's the site you were looking for:
http://scoobymods.com/

 

Unfortunately the shop is going to do whatever they gotta do. They have the full OEM exhaust system, the guy there said that LEGALLY they can not swap the exhaust and leave the up-pipe because they have to "return the car back to stock specifications" before smog. Obviously I think this is some bull**** but **** happens. I just hope I get my car back soon, If I have to, I'm pretty sure there are mod meets of some sort with this forum and I might be able to do it then, if not before hand. I loved the way it sounded with no cats and a greddy evo2.

Kevin

 

Now the damn shop wants to charge me $400 on the car for a OEM swap, smog and inspection. If I request they leave the Aftermarket up-pipe on car they have to leave it right?

 

Well, I told this guy that I'm going to get the swap done myself, (he didn't even know what the hell the up-pipe was) and he tried to tell me it wouldn't pass SIMPLY because off the visual. I have a smog shop that will pass me without visual.

 

I thought it was 50k? At 50k if your cats are failing you can replace them and it doesnt have to be OEM

 

I'm still sure you need to have a CAT on even if it's Aftermarket and it has to be certified or some **** for OBDT (I am unsure) this car is catless as it stands right now.

 

well yeah it needs to have a cat, but the point is that after 50k/80k miles if the stock cats are proven to be failing and need to be replaced, you can replace them with aftermarket, high-flow cats if they work better than the original ones did when new. High-flow cats are otherwise just as illegal as no cats before this point, even if they function better than the stock ones ever did.

This is good because the HP loss between a high-flow cat and catless is less than 5whp

 

Well, I was thinking of selling the helix down and up pipes and going with one with a high-flow cat. Living in CA and having no cats on a car is not smart. Especially since where I drive to work I have to go next to a Police station heh. The car has almost 62k on it. If I put a high flow cat on the car instead of catless, will it also make the car a little more quiet? What are some good Up and down pipes? Also, I've noticed that just driving around today has made me go through almost half a tank. Since I bought it i've only put about 120 miles on it (with a fresh tank at start) and I am 3/4 empty. The car still needs an inspection and I think it's time for a tune up.

Kevin

 

[evil smile] you could always just swap the guage cluster with one that has the miles added on and make do [evil smile]

 

So if I take my car to a shop and they put all oem stuff, and it fails smog because of cats, I could tell them to put high flow cats on and see if it passes? I have like 62k on car, do the up and down pipes give out that fast?

 

no, what were saying is that with enough miles on the car, you never have to go back to OEM cats again.


sniffer would pass just fine, it's the visual test that every mod nut fails. unless you beat them at their own game.