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02-14-2012, 08:20 AM | #1 |
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Catted in Massachusetts?
I have a 2004 wrx wagon, Im going to be putting on a turbo back exhaust this summer. Looking at a clear sounding, quiet-ish catback, and then putting in the downpipe. My local tuner has a couple 3" bellmouth downpipes that fit perfectly but they have no cat attached. Do I need a cat on my downpipe for MA emissions testing? I'll still have a cat by the midpipe, but do I still need the extra one like on stock or the Cobb downpipe?
Any Mass people, please feel free to reply. Thanks
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02-14-2012, 08:25 AM | #2 |
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According to the law, non-oem replacement exhaust = illegal. Louder than stock = illegal
Illegal = will not pass inspection. If you have no cel, they're not going to know if the downpipe is catted or catless. Your mileage may vary. Many here pass with fully catless loud cars. And I've seen people fail for the same. |
02-14-2012, 08:54 AM | #3 |
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Slip someone a $20 and you can pass with any mod... Just sayin'
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02-14-2012, 08:56 AM | #4 |
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^ CEL is an OBDII reading I take it? So if my computer readings all read fine, I should be fine? depending on the location I get it inspected of course.
I have an accessport, so my engine management should all be fine. any suggestions? |
02-14-2012, 08:58 AM | #5 |
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02-14-2012, 09:11 AM | #6 |
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So the short answer is:
Removing a cat from the system is illegal in Mass. (not mentioned is that it's a federal violation at $10k if they decide to prosicute you....I have never heard of the feds going after anyone) Inspection without the correct equipment: they can fail you. They might not fail you, especially if they don't bother looking and you don't have any CEL. It's all your choice. |
02-14-2012, 09:23 AM | #7 | |
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02-14-2012, 09:25 AM | #8 |
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I posted in your other thread. Just have a shop weld a heatshield where the cat would be so it looks like its on there if you are really worried that they will get under the car.
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02-14-2012, 09:30 AM | #9 |
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I used the Cobb "Street" catted downpipe.
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02-14-2012, 09:35 AM | #10 |
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02-14-2012, 09:36 AM | #11 |
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02-14-2012, 10:00 AM | #12 |
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02-14-2012, 10:19 AM | #13 |
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Unless you are going to an ultra anal inspection station then you will pass as long as there is no codes ( check engine light on ) and it is not loud as F*&K and doesn't smoke obviously if your car looks like crap all riced out and loud as all get out then you will fail . I have run cat less exhausts on all of my turbo'd Subaru's here in Mass and never been hassled but then again my cars have always looked good and never too loud ...
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02-14-2012, 10:53 AM | #14 | |
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Quote:
it's up to the discretion of the inspection station to determine if your exhaust is too loud. no, they won't be able to tell if you're catted or not from a basic inspection, but i've had a loud exhaust warrant a few revs, then putting the car on a lift and looking for a cat. just my two cents. |
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02-14-2012, 11:04 AM | #15 |
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Odds are the shop will never know it unless the car is loud or you are throwing CELs. Basically, don't give them a reason to suspect otherwise.
To be somewhat safe you could paint the pipe flat black so it's not bling bling polished stainless steel which is a dead give away that something is not stock under there. |
02-14-2012, 11:32 AM | #16 |
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Who is your local tuner?
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02-14-2012, 12:10 PM | #17 |
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Ive been using JT Auto in Hyde Park for little things here and there. It's the most convenient place to me and they're pretty nice and reasonable as far as customer service goes. They mostly do Nissans, and they get quite a few VW guys there as well. Because it's Boston they get a lot of beater Integras of course. I think I'm the only Scoobie guy that walks through their doors, so they always want to unload stock on me at better prices just to move it out their door. |
02-14-2012, 12:27 PM | #18 |
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I passed ma state inspection with a catless downpipe. I put my stock sti cat back back on the car, however. As long as your ecu doesn't throw a C.heck E.ngine L.ight for it being catless, you should be fine. I believe that a stage two map from your accessport will take care of that. Also, I do not reccommend flashing a tune that your car is not set up for.
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02-14-2012, 12:52 PM | #19 |
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this pretty much seems to be how it is(at least in my experiences). ive failed in the past for just a loud catback. ive also past full catless and a mellon launcher. it seems more like its not only the shop, but the inspector that decides at the time what seems fit to pass or fail. i usually will wing it, and see how my chances are, if i were to fail swap it out and bring it back, then swap back if you want it that bad.
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02-14-2012, 01:17 PM | #20 |
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Another question for the group... Anybody have any experience with MeganRacing products? Specifically any of their catbacks? I hear mixed responses on them, mostly fairly positive (for an inexpensive part). Specifically their sound tho, is it loud? clear sounding? or tinny and cheap sounding? YouTube videos are tough to get a real guage on anything.
Also looking into the Cobb or SPT catbacks, their fairly quiet, deep and clear. thanks, |
02-14-2012, 01:25 PM | #21 |
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I got pulled over here in mass back when I had my Turbo XS axleback. I was told that ANY modified exhaust is illegal.
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02-14-2012, 01:34 PM | #22 | |
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02-14-2012, 01:43 PM | #23 |
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Not condoning this activity but:
If you have an aftermarket exhaust and you get pulled over. Its probably because you were dicking around. My 2006 WRX is catless and pretty loud, see here: Anyways... An easy excuse if your exhaust is louder than a Camry would be that it is an SPT exhaust or something; a factory upgraded exhaust that is 50 states legal, and OEM. Even if something like this doesn't exist for your particular car, its still something that is well know to exist in the eyes of most people/cops. Best way is to have a 100% legal car that has a valid sticker. Its your choice to be loud or not, when you want. |
02-14-2012, 04:58 PM | #24 | |
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02-14-2012, 06:09 PM | #25 | |
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