Any way to pass emissions w.o cats?

95five-oh · Sep 17, 2008

Well as the title suggests i wanna go catless on my car. It's simply a weekend toy so im not worried about pollution i maybe drive it 200 miles a month. I just think catless v8's sound infinitely better. The problem is we have emissions tests here in MD and since i have OBD1, it gets hooked up to the sniffer. I currently have a bassani catted x with 2 high flow cats, i was planning to just take the pipe off and hollow them out, then reinstall, that way i can keep the o2 hardware hooked up. Has anybody done this? Are there any tricks to passing emissions without cats (car is otherwise bone stock). I've had success with gtp before but i've only tried it on catted vehicles. Would it be easier to cut out the cats and put flexpipe in, then replace the cats for emissions? ideas/comments welcome. thanks guys

birdman941 · Sep 17, 2008

..............

GTA_V6_Mustang · Sep 17, 2008

birdman941 said:
Leave the cats on.
It is not the 60's any more, and you really gain nothing from removing them.
Well, you could gain notice from the local authorities.
The emission system on your car is just that.
A system.

+2 keep the cats. You wont notice a difference but noise. I personally prefer the sound of a catted system. sounds much cleaner. And no retarded smell from exhaust.

95five-oh · Sep 17, 2008

I understand there won't be any measurable performance gain, i'm only doing it for the sound.

Chythar · Sep 17, 2008

95five-oh said:
I understand there won't be any measurable performance gain, i'm only doing it for the sound.

Too bad you're all the way in MD. I have a Bassani catted X with hollowed-out cats on my 95 and while I LOVE the sound it's a bit too loud for me. I would trade you but shipping would likely be pricey. If you're interested maybe we can simply swap. I'm planning on making a YouTube video to record the exhaust sound, maybe it will give you an idea of what hollowed-out cats sounds like.

turbogt · Sep 17, 2008

I've never owned a mustang with cats

desertcox05 · Sep 18, 2008

buy an off road x or h and swap it out everyyear when you get tested. the off road pipe isn't that expensive. or maybe have a muff shop fab you up some (Test pipes) and swap those out. hacking up good cats is senseless

ProKiller · Sep 18, 2008

i swapped mine out every year for quite a few years. had a o/r h-pipe all year except for the inspection week. pain in the butt but it works.

here in PA, obd1's aren't sniffered, they are just visually inspected. double check to make sure you have to pass the sniffer, i was under the impression that only obd2s have to. also, we have a stipulation that if you drive under 5k a year, you don't have to worry about it at all, thats what i do now.

94-302-vert · Sep 18, 2008

Without cats and a good tune it will pass... My bud did this and then failed the visual...

I am part of the swapping pipes bandwagon...

cobra92usa · Sep 18, 2008

I agree . . . Chock up another vote for swapping the pipes at inspection time . . .

WHITE94COBRA · Sep 18, 2008

I think my car is plenty loud with the catted X pipe, it still turns heads whever I go.

juiced_94gt · Sep 18, 2008

Two things: find the local smog guy who will pass it for 150.00 even if you have a carburated 460 in it or if it's like cali register the car in a county where there is no testing and simply get a P.O. box to have the tags sent there...Mines registered in San Diego and have not tested in 6 years.

95five-oh · Sep 18, 2008

ProKiller said:
i swapped mine out every year for quite a few years. had a o/r h-pipe all year except for the inspection week. pain in the butt but it works.

here in PA, obd1's aren't sniffered, they are just visually inspected. double check to make sure you have to pass the sniffer, i was under the impression that only obd2s have to. also, we have a stipulation that if you drive under 5k a year, you don't have to worry about it at all, thats what i do now.

Unfortunately, liberal ass MD requires everyone to get tested. The only exemptions are for seniors over the age of 70, handicap drivers (who drive less than 5k a year) and for emissions-related repairs of more than $450. all 95-older cars are hooked up to the sniffer and if i remember they check underneath as well (hence why i was thinking about just hollowing the cats to keep the look).

cythar...i'd definately like to hear a vid of your hollowed bassani x if you have time to post one!

Chythar · Sep 18, 2008

juiced_94gt said:
Two things: find the local smog guy who will pass it for 150.00 even if you have a carburated 460 in it or if it's like cali register the car in a county where there is no testing and simply get a P.O. box to have the tags sent there...Mines registered in San Diego and have not tested in 6 years.

I need more info if you got it! I don't mind being smog-legal, but I'd love to know just in case

1995greenstang · Sep 19, 2008

No matter what anyone says there is a difference in horsepower with cats and without up to 10 horsepower any blockage in any exhaust cuts horsepower its as simple as that

1995greenstang · Sep 19, 2008

if you dont want trouble just drill the things out its pain in the as but will dramatically effect the sound of the car i dont think it will ad any gains like a regular off road pipe because of the stock pipe not being free flowing with otu without the cats inside

khsbaseball322 · Sep 20, 2008

I bought my mustang with no cats, why spend the money to put em on there.... Just find a shop that'll pass ya for like 20 bucks extra. I imagine MD is a lot stricter on emissions then Texas

Car Nut · Sep 22, 2008

Once my Bassani cats turned 3 years old or so, they were little help with emissions. I was a small amount over in a couple areas (can't remember off hand). When I swapped in two Magnaflow cats, my emissions numbers were excellent (like only 10% of the allowed value). I was concerned about a loss in power, but the power stayed the same and no change in sound.

SteedaGT9150 · Sep 24, 2008

hey man im in md too and just went through emisions. i have a extra h pipe layin around and i just swap them every two years. it took me about 15 minutes to swap but granted i had a lift and air tools. when i went throught they didnt check underneath for cats, just pulled it up , nearly stalled it, only hooked up one exhaust pipe, and i passed with flying colors. although i have heard its like a $2k fine if you get caught without cats. pm me if u need anything

SQUEEZE&STROKE · Sep 24, 2008

juiced_94gt said:
Two things: find the local smog guy who will pass it for 150.00 even if you have a carburated 460 in it or if it's like cali register the car in a county where there is no testing and simply get a P.O. box to have the tags sent there...Mines registered in San Diego and have not tested in 6 years.

Seriously, I need that info. I want to register my car but have no way to smog it.

PLEASE PM ME!!!!

Any way to pass emissions w.o cats?

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