I was wondering if this would work? I have a 2003 wrx sedan and do not drive it enough for emission testing, however they are suppose to check for cats on inspection, I replaced the uppipe, downpipe and exhaust with helip catless (all parts). Now they just do visual when the do inspection, so could I take the heatgaurd off the oem downpipe and put it on the helix downpipe to make it look like there are cats on the downpipe? Or will it not fit since the new downpipe is 3" pipe? Will if no one knows then I will let you know when I take it off to replace gaskets, I am gonna try it then. Thanks

 

the heatsheilds on the oem downpipe will not fit on the helix...there will be fitment issues

 

just take off the downpipe and put the stock one back on if youre doing a smog.

 

Like the above said, the heatshield wont fit as is, but you can easily trim it to fit with a dremel or metal shears. After market downpipes/exhaust generally wont pass visual inspection (if cats are removed), unless the tech doesnt look or care. Either go in for a "Test" and ask them if it will pass, or swap the stock exhaust back on.

Either way, modifying the heatsheild to fit would be beneficial. Running no heatshield is ok, but a sheild would keep more heat away from the intercooler.

 

i have mine on

i cut it where it splits into two