Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Thursday March 28, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
New England Subaru Impreza Club
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Chapters > New England Impreza Club Forum -- NESIC

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-14-2012, 08:20 AM   #1
QuailEyes
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 298881
Join Date: Oct 2011
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Boston, MA
Vehicle:
2004 EJ207 STI wagon
1970 MGB GT

Question 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
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
QuailEyes is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 02-14-2012, 08:25 AM   #2
vision.dynamix
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 139955
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Boston
Vehicle:
2015 Subaru STI
17Forester / 18Crosstrek

Default

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.
vision.dynamix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 08:54 AM   #3
MaddSubieLove
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 108258
Join Date: Feb 2006
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: MA
Vehicle:
2002 WRX/99ForesterS
PSM

Default

Slip someone a $20 and you can pass with any mod... Just sayin'
MaddSubieLove is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 08:56 AM   #4
QuailEyes
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 298881
Join Date: Oct 2011
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Boston, MA
Vehicle:
2004 EJ207 STI wagon
1970 MGB GT

Default

^ 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?
QuailEyes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 08:58 AM   #5
vision.dynamix
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 139955
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Boston
Vehicle:
2015 Subaru STI
17Forester / 18Crosstrek

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MaddSubieLove View Post
Slip someone a $20 and you can pass with any mod... Just sayin'
From what I've seen, no. The places that will pass you will pass you regardless. The places that will fail you wouldn't pass you if you slipped them a thousand dollars.
vision.dynamix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 09:11 AM   #6
Jack
Add Lightness
Moderator
 
Member#: 13699
Join Date: Dec 2001
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Hopkinton, MA
Vehicle:
2021 Building
It Better

Default

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.
Jack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 09:23 AM   #7
QuailEyes
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 298881
Join Date: Oct 2011
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Boston, MA
Vehicle:
2004 EJ207 STI wagon
1970 MGB GT

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack ffr1846 View Post
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.
So what I'm gathering is that as long as my computer reads fine, then it's just a visual inspection?
QuailEyes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 09:25 AM   #8
Drowner
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 49297
Join Date: Nov 2003
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Bristol, RI
Vehicle:
17 WRX Limited

Default

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.
Drowner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 09:30 AM   #9
Garandman
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 101117
Join Date: Nov 2005
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Dorchester MA / Sunapee NH
Vehicle:
2005 Outback 3.0R
Red

Default

I used the Cobb "Street" catted downpipe.
Garandman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 09:35 AM   #10
vision.dynamix
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 139955
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Boston
Vehicle:
2015 Subaru STI
17Forester / 18Crosstrek

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by QuailEyes View Post
So what I'm gathering is that as long as my computer reads fine, then it's just a visual inspection?
Yes. Codes=Automatic Fail
No Codes= 50/50 shot on the visual.
vision.dynamix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 09:36 AM   #11
vision.dynamix
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 139955
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Boston
Vehicle:
2015 Subaru STI
17Forester / 18Crosstrek

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Garandman View Post
I used the Cobb "Street" catted downpipe.
Not any more legal than a catless pipe.
vision.dynamix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 10:00 AM   #12
Thug
Precious ❄
 
Member#: 603
Join Date: Dec 1999
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Norfeast
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by vision.dynamix View Post
Not any more legal than a catless pipe.
Not really true.
Thug is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 10:19 AM   #13
eatus ravenous
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 26068
Join Date: Oct 2002
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: north central mass
Default

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 ...
eatus ravenous is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 10:53 AM   #14
rabbitnutz
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 51940
Join Date: Jan 2004
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Brighton, Ma
Vehicle:
2001
White

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by vision.dynamix View Post
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. unless it's loud

Your mileage may vary. Many here pass with fully catless loud cars. And I've seen people fail for the same.
fixed.

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.
rabbitnutz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 11:04 AM   #15
WRXSleeper
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 43853
Join Date: Sep 2003
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Methuen, MA
Vehicle:
2004 WRX Sedan Stg 2
Platinum Silver

Default

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.
WRXSleeper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 11:32 AM   #16
timeXlost
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 113924
Join Date: May 2006
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Newton, MA
Vehicle:
2005 STI....SOLD!
93 RX7...Not Broken

Default

Who is your local tuner?
timeXlost is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 12:10 PM   #17
QuailEyes
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 298881
Join Date: Oct 2011
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Boston, MA
Vehicle:
2004 EJ207 STI wagon
1970 MGB GT

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by timeXlost View Post
Who is your local tuner?

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.
QuailEyes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 12:27 PM   #18
tuzzio
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 292532
Join Date: Aug 2011
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Southwick, Ma
Vehicle:
05 STI
PSM

Default

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.
tuzzio is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 12:52 PM   #19
myklwrx
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 150791
Join Date: Jun 2007
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Gardner, Ma
Vehicle:
2012 wrx sedan
DGM

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by vision.dynamix View Post
Yes. Codes=Automatic Fail
No Codes= 50/50 shot on the visual.
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.
myklwrx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 01:17 PM   #20
QuailEyes
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 298881
Join Date: Oct 2011
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Boston, MA
Vehicle:
2004 EJ207 STI wagon
1970 MGB GT

Default

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,
QuailEyes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 01:25 PM   #21
DSRX2005
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 271681
Join Date: Jan 2011
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Franklin, NH
Vehicle:
2013 WRB Subaru WRX
AJW Performance

Default

I got pulled over here in mass back when I had my Turbo XS axleback. I was told that ANY modified exhaust is illegal.
DSRX2005 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 01:34 PM   #22
RR
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 48191
Join Date: Nov 2003
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Little Rhody
Vehicle:
2012 WRX
Ducati Monster

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by QuailEyes View Post
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,
I hear a lot of complaining about Megan Racing being cheap Chinese crap. I had no issues with the hardened engine/transmission mounts on my last car.
RR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 01:43 PM   #23
Saabeh
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 166413
Join Date: Dec 2007
Vehicle:
2006 WRX Limited
SGM

Default

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.
Saabeh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 04:58 PM   #24
timeXlost
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 113924
Join Date: May 2006
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Newton, MA
Vehicle:
2005 STI....SOLD!
93 RX7...Not Broken

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by QuailEyes View Post
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.
Do yourself a favor and give dent sport garage a call, or send them a PM on here. They are located in Norwood and specialize in Subaru performance. They can both tune your car Properly and give you the correct info you are looking for on a turbo back exhaust decision. If you don't know the answers to important questions like weather or not to go catted or catless...a good reputable shop should be the first call you make. DSG will take good care of you.
timeXlost is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 06:09 PM   #25
DSRX2005
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 271681
Join Date: Jan 2011
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Franklin, NH
Vehicle:
2013 WRB Subaru WRX
AJW Performance

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Saabeh
Not condoning this activity but:

If you have an aftermarket exhaust and you get pulled over. Its probably because you were dicking around.
Well when I got pulled over I was minding my own business just following the speed limit.
DSRX2005 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Im going to be in Massachusetts VanillaEps New England Impreza Club Forum -- NESIC 2 08-07-2003 08:04 PM
stupid front plate, need it in massachusetts tranjo New England Impreza Club Forum -- NESIC 25 07-02-2002 01:30 PM
WRX Shops in Massachusetts BryanD New England Impreza Club Forum -- NESIC 8 05-28-2002 03:39 PM
18" wheels in Massachusetts ambzod New England Impreza Club Forum -- NESIC 3 03-12-2002 12:25 AM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:54 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.