I live in Memphis, TN. and have to pass emmisions for tags every year. Just ordered Megan cat back and was wondering if anyone has downpipe and testpipe configuration with cat-back system and has to pass emissions? I do not know how other cities are on this so forgive my ignorance.

Thanks

 

depends on how they test it...if they still do the tail pipe sniffer test you might be boned with test pipe.. easy fix put in stock cat. for test..If they only do port scan then you are fine unless you have a CEL.

 

Most state inspections are now OBD-II for newer cars. Additionally some states may still do sniffer tests, and some states may have any combination.

Generally its UNWISE to use a test pipe, its not worth the 3-5hp difference choosing from a performance cat or test pipe, the gains from both are pretty significant over a stock cat, so definitely upgrade to an aftermarket cat, be aware though, that you are breaking most state and federal law tampering with the emissions devices on your car, technically an aftermarket cat is also tampering, but its not really as big a deal as you can justify replacing it. The exhaust and downpipe itself won't be any problem in most states that don't have the strict inspection process like California does.

With all of that said, if you don't get a CEL light, and your shop doesn't visually look at everything, then its pretty likely your car would pass.

 

Correction... Tampering only means when u take a cat out and dont replace it with another... any aftermarket cat, even a high flow one, is legal... to replace a cat with another cat is totally legal...

 

Actually it is not, According to federal law, the OE catalytic converter cannot be replaced legally unless it is damaged or inoperative. You will need a bill of sale and a form that the dealer/service station would fill out that justifies this.
This also applies only to the warranty period of the exhaust system though. So its really only a concern for new cars, as anything no longer under warranty will not really ever be questioned. When my car was rear-ended, and I had replaced my exhaust system for the second time, I had recieved these forms from the body shop that repaired the car and replaced the exhaust (with an aftermarket exhaust and high flow cat) so the paperwork does exist.

For what its worth, its almost never checked, and never enforced.

 

MalibuJack got it...I seem to remember a mileage clause also..

 

If I have a high-flow cat, is it a better idea to get inspected at a shop or the state inspection station? I live in New Jersey and thought they only do an OBD-II check and not a sniffer test.

 

I don't think you would have a problem at a state inspection station. But if there is a shop you use regularly, I would probably go there instead.

 

They sniff still. Check lights E-brake wipers and thats it. The state run inspection stations is the only place you can get inspected here. Only have to get inspected if you live in the city. Just moved out of the city for job relocation.

 

....Correction.....
Out of the county to the city