aftermarket catted H-pipes and emissions

[HISSIN50]

Hello,

Need some emissions advice. I took the '94 through today and it passed all visual and load testing (at the pipes) just fine,except: They flunked me because of the aftermarket H-pipe (with one cat per bank, rather than the stock 2 per bank).
Now I have to go to the local EPA office to see if they will do an exemption (my explanation inside the test center did nothing. I was told it was out of their hands).

Does anyone have any buzz words or advice on what to say, other than the obvious? I don't have a receipt for the pipe (it was on the car when I got it). But since it has cats and passed with flying colors when run on the treadmill, I am sure that will mean that I get rejected and have to do something dumb like buy a used stock pipe.

I know some of you had to have gone through this too. I appreciate any thoughts.

 

[Paul Perreca]

that sucks, go somewhere else that doesn't know theres supposed to be 4, and dont mention it to them.... You already know it passes - just go get passed ....

Paul Perreca

 

[HISSIN50]

I am in AZ, and it sounds like in some places people get shops to pass the vehicles. Here, one has to go to a county emissions station.

 

[Michael Yount]

JT - google around some tonight on 2-way and 3-way cats. I believe you ought to be able to convince them that a newer SINGLE 3-way cat IS A SUITABLE AND EQUIVALENT replacement for the old 2-cat system.

 

[Rick 91GT]

We go through just fine in MD with a 2 cat system, Michael is correct.

 

[Michael Yount]

JT's dilemma is a classic example of why it's next to impossible to predict what's gonna happen at emissions testing time. He's got a tech who can't get past a non-stock set up REGARDLESS of the testing outcome. He may not be right -- but he's got the power to pass or fail. And because it's not stock - he's failed it. Sucks -- but there you go. Happens every day all over the country.

I'm more convinced every day that all my cars in the future will be old enough that they're exempt from testing. I just won't play the game - it's my football and I'm going home.

Hope the DOT folks give you a waiver JT.

 

[SamSnyder]

Sorry to say that I fought a similar fight back in 1985 and lost -- they made me put back on a smog piece on my '68 Stang that provably increased the numbers out the pipe -- by their own testing -- but which had to be there to pass (back then it was an add-on smog solenoid that cut vacuum to the distributor vacuum advance at predetermined times). Their own testing showed that it actually caused more emissions -- by a factor of 2 -- but they would not pass me without it. You just may be forced to put the stock h-pipe back on (at least for the test). Sorry.

 

[Daniel50]

just find some shady place that doesnt give a crap. they will throw it on and if it passes you pass

 

[HISSIN50]

Paul, Michael, Rick and Sam, thank you all very much for the replies.

Sam, dont talk like that. LOL.
Rick, keep talking like that.
Michael, please dont apply sound logic like that - I tried that a little bit and it did not work.

I hate not having control of this kind of stuff, especially when it is so random in regard to who/what passes. I can totally see Michael's point about having exempt cars. That is '67 and older here).

I will DEFINATELY do some internet hunting and see about taking some material with me (preferably from some gov't site) about the packaging differences in 1, 2 and 3 way cats. I dont even think one can reasonably buy less than a 3 way cat, so one would think they are used to this. Guess not.

Again, thanks so much guys. I will let you know how it goes (and about my subsequent search for a stock pipe).

 

[bubba-dough]

That sucks, I am in Indiana, we don't have test hear. but i did take my 96 through an emissions test given by IU University for student classes and research and it passed the exhaust reading, they didn't do a visual ...I had an off-road x-pipe with MIL, lol. I got the papers to prove it passed. what are you suppose to do when your stock h-pipe is totally rusted and rotted, can you even get a four cat one anymore? Seems like since a good aftermarket catted h-pipe comes with 50 state legal papers maybe you could cheat a little and get some paperwork from one of those manufacturers.

 

[HISSIN50]

Daniel, there are no private shops that can smog a car here, AFAIK. I know what you mean, but I should not need a shady place anyhow - my set-up not only is legit, but better (in terms of efficiency) than a 12 year old stock system would be. That is what is so frustrating. It would be like if they told me that my SD '88 has a broken CEL and they wont pass me till I have a working light.

Thank you for the reply though. I would entertain other options, if there were any (like finding other shops, etc to try).

 

[wythors]

Does your aftermarket pipe have a CARB certification? If so, get a copy from the manufacturer. Most states recognize a CARB cert as being applicable for use in their state.

 

[RsStanG1987]

You should tell them that ford sold you the h-pipe as a stock replacement and said it was 50 state legal maybe you will be able to get out of it that way.

 

[keith1991]

I thought smog stations where to help the environment not polute it more...

 

[-=Red5.0GT=-]

i was looking into this when i wanted a catted x pipe, and i emailed magniflow about it. they told me one of there catted x pipes comes with a CARB number and that it should be fine in a visual emissions test.

here the email:

"Thanks for your contact. This is part #93332, and the CARB number is
D-193-14, which makes the 2-for-1 converter replacement legal on
OBD1(pre-96) Mustangs. This direct-fit catted x-pipe assembly will fit
all 5.0L Mustangs from 86-93."

if i were you i would look into this.

 

[bcmbcmbcm]

How I passed with Magnaflow H Pipe

I called around and found a place that would do a pre-test. I called them 20 minutes before I arrived, and got it nice and hot (just in case)

They put the sniffer in and the screen turned green (good he said)

Then they officially did the test and all went well.

If someone is willing to do a free pre-test, then it means they are financially motivated to pass you, which is what you want.

Important to avoid an official 'fail'. If there is a problem you want to realize it during the 'pre-test.'

Just my $.02.

Buy the way, I had my Magnaflow CARB number on hand just in case. But I didn't offer it. No reason to if they don't ask for it.

 

[QDRHRSE]

I am in california and I have had to deal with the same problem a bunch of times. You need to find out who makes the H-Pipe and find out if it has CARB certifiation. I know that you are not in California but anything with a CARB EO order should be 50state legal. If you do not know who makes your set up- go online get BBK's CARB# for their catted h-pipe and give it to the smog people. Whenever I go get smogged (legally...it happens once in a while) I have a list of all the EO orders for my parts, even if, for example, the EO order for my cam is that of an E cam and I don't have an ecam (get it?). If you pass the sniffer they are usually pretty lenient as long as you can show them something. Good luck!

 

[The Shape]

JT it sounds like the guy who tested you was maybe having a bad day and used this as an excuse to be a ****. I bet gettting the carb number from the manufacturer is going to be your best bet on getting a waiver.

 

[68keyblr]

Hissin, how did this turn out? Did you get through emissions? I'm in the PHX area and they didn't even check under the car to see if I had 2 or 4 cats. I'm thinking of replacing the cats though so I'm interested in your outcome.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

JT, do you know the manufacturer of the pipe by chance? If you do, give them a shout and see if they can provide you with documentation stating the exhaust is 50 state legal, then go take your smog again. If it's the same guy, pull out the paperwork, show him proof that you're legal, and ask to see a manager if he tells you anything other than "Pass." If the manager doesn't satisfy your complaints, keep climbing the food chain until you find someone who will. I just had an issue with IL and their smog testing because my 95 needed a starter, but I had one day left to get it tested before my license got suspended for failure to take and pass the test. The manager told them to override their standard procedure of turning off the car between tests, so that I was able to complete the test successfully. Good luck!