Trade-In w/o Cat??

[SVTStang03]

Hey. I went down to my local ford dealer ( I want to trade in my Tacoma ) and had them appraise my trade. They went through all the details and check out the body, etc. However, I have a hollowed out cat on the truck... they didn't loook at the exhaust or anything. Can I get in trouble for not mentioning that??? I don't need any legal trouble. Is there anythign they can do after the paperwork is done?

 

[FallenPhoenix]

well it's actually a federal offense to tamper with any part of the emissions system. If they wanted to I guess they could turn you in. Wouldn't hurt to just replace them, they're relatively cheap anyway.

 

[03Sleeper]

Naw, it's not worth it to the deal to make any trouble,First they would have to prove thata you did the work!
second they might not even care it's just a truck to them and that just means $$$ and they just want to move the truck.
This is coming form a guy whos family owns a Ford dealership!

 

[SVTStang03]

OK. I know it is a fellony do mess with it. I REALLY REALLY don't want to get into trouble for this, but Toyota charges $429 for a new Catalytic Converter for my truck, OUCH!

So they would have to like take me to court and prove "I" myself did the work? Or could they nail me for having the work done and not saying anything about it?

I need to know FOR SURE nothing will happen.

 

[SVTStang03]

I mean they would have to tear the exhaust system off and look into the stock cat to see its hollow to find out...

 

[FallenPhoenix]

odds are they won't catch you but if you want to, just get a universal cat welded in. It's ok to mess with the emissions if it's not in working order, so just take a big rock and smash the cat before you get it replaced

 

[stangman]

if it's welded up, there is no way for them to see it. so i wouldn't worry about it. i traded in my 98gt with longtubes, prochamber (no cats what-so-ever), & flowpath cat-back. not a single word was spoken about it

 

[SVTStang03]

Well the problem w/ a universal is this... My exhaust has welded on flanges, all the universal ones would need a flange fabricated...

What I think they would do is just clean it up and set it out in the lot. End of story. I HOPE!!

 

[SVTStang03]

All my exhaust stuff is bolt-on, nothing is welded together. Headers bolted to cat, cat bolted to cat-back.

 

[FallenPhoenix]

I think you're pretty safe unless you do something stupid like saying "don't look at the cats, they uhhh are working just fine, so no need to look inside them..."

 

[SVTStang03]

Oh damn, I was gunna do that. LOL. I hope that is the case, I don't want to get a $100,000 fine slapped in my face!

 

[03Sleeper]

SVTStang03 don't sweat it your going to be fine just don't freak out at the closing table adn scream outOk ok you got me the cat's are FAKE...
HA HA AH
Really save your money they "Me as a dealer family DON'T CARE" your fine it's not like your the only one trading cars in with flaws..

 

[SVTStang03]

OK man, I appreciate the help. I just know people who have gotten raped over cat issues...

I really doubted anyone would notice if the inspector didn't even bother to look under my hood or under the car... Just wanted to get some input

Thanks again guys!