My car failed emissions yesterday.

Setup parts that matter:
* Stock engine
* DC sports downpipe w/ Mil.spec cat (welded directly into the downpipe because the previous owner autocrossed and didn't want the weight of the flanges )
* rear O2 is apparently spacer'd

It failed for two reasons:
* OBD thingie reported "catalyst not supported" - this one was new. Car was last tuned in June 2021 and I guess they disabled readiness reporting? Previous tunes (CBRD, JK Tuning) did not do this.
* The spacer on the rear O2

This is a mild headache every 2 years. I'd like to get the car into a more emissions friendly configuration. The "not supported" thing I assume I can fix in ECUFlash.

If I remove the spacer, I assume it's going to throw a code (p0420, maybe?), which I could also disable in ECUFlash.

So I'm debating what's worth it.
* Maybe I can fix this myself by removing the spacer and updating the tune to enable readiness reporting (?) and just disable whatever code it throws.
* Maybe switching to a new downpipe w/ a modern aftermarket cat would mean that I don't even need to disable the code. This would be the best case.

Without naming individual shops or individual car-friendly emissions inspections.. what are folks doing to pass emissions?

 

Sounds like the rear o2 was disabled in ECUFlash. Flip it back on, pull the o2 spacer out and see if the p0420 code appears. If it does, then you would either have to get another cat or use one of those o2 sim's if you can find one, or make one yourself.

FWIW: I just recently installed this in 3" and the "big oval" appearance:
https://www.ultimate-racing.com/prod...ow-cat-ceramic
I have yet to see the p0420 code after 200+ miles of driving on the stock tune.

What state are you in? Your emission checks seem much less strict than California's. Your car would have failed for the downpipe and the cat right away before they even got to finding the tune on the ECU.

 

Virginia. What downpipe do you have paired with this ^ ? One of the things I was considering is trying to get an OEM looking heatshield around the cat just to draw a little less scrutiny.

Also very cool that they can pre-bung this. It's annoying that I would have to replace the entire downpipe since the flanges are gone (or have flanges welded back on, ugh).

 

Deleted emissions completely on my car. Should have it to the tuner next week. Hope to report back with some info. From what I've read here it can all be fixed in evoscan.

 

I have a 2.75" Tanabe downpipe installed as well and the fitment was spot-on. It's supposed to work with any OEM replacement downpipe

Yeah I got the second bung installed for my wideband which made routing the wiring through the OEM rubber grommet in the driveshaft tunnel under the glovebox really convenient as opposed to having the sensor on the downpipe. Also, the wideband bung is in the 12 o'clock position when its all installed which makes it pretty difficult to see the sensor to the unsuspecting eye

 

do you need to go to that same place for inspection? I go to a shack in the neighboring zipcode

 

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ec...mrfred-25.html

 

Montana Vehicle LLC. and with a 20yr old car get permenant plates never have to worrry about annual registration fees or emissions.

 

I have the same cat , does the readiness show for this cat?

 

If your car is tuned on the stock ecu, we can assume your on tephra. Just enable the settings in the link, works perfect.

 

No, but they're close. The shack in a neighboring zipcode thing got me this far. The guy was a bigger dude and he didn't even want to sit in my car (Sparco Evo seats) so he would basically insta pass me and tell me not to street race


Not sure about the insurance implications of that
https://jalopnik.com/the-pitfalls-of...cam-1711216059


I am not on Tephra, never had a need to do that. Just regular ol ECUFlash.

I'm swapping to a GESI cat pipe which is EPA certified and all that jazz
https://www.extremeturbosystems.com/...gesi-test-pipe

The goal is to never have to deal with this problem again. It's a little more $ for the EPA certified version but I'm happy to do this to remove the headache.

 

My "shack" has that "no gringos" vibe, dirt/rock driveways. donated my old sofas, chairs, tv because their waiting room feels like a 3rd world jail. none of them drive stick. my car will pass but other cars with dark tint/smoked tails need to come in after 4pm
In TX we're allowed to have one "not ready" but we have annual inspection . not sure if I have not-supported but that wont trigger a not-pass here

 

I’m somehow still emissions exempt here in Illinois but I must be getting old because the constant exhaust smell from my test pipe is starting to get old. Probably go GESI next year when I re-tune for E85.

 

I have friends in the automotive insurance industry and they told me early on the insurance company doesn't need to know where the vehicle is registered. They only care that the insurance is underwritten in the state you reside. Since 2012 I have lived in Kansas, Texas, California, Louisiana, and now Wisconsin. I have had my vehicles registered in different states from where I was living at the time, and had different state drivers license from where I was living at the time as well. I currently have my daily still registered in Louisiana, Louisiana drivers license, and my Evo is registered under my Montana Vehicle LLC. but my insurance for both cars is underwritten in Wisconsin where I live currently. I have a spotless driving record and my Montana Vehicle LLC. is 100% legit with Montana State sealed paperwork.

 

If you live in California, insurance companies are catching on to the Montana LLC. I had three major insurance carriers and one lesser known carrier refuse to ensure my car because it was registered at that specific address. The information is out, they know That it is a law office.
I ended up selling the car and buying something newer, that passes smog, and is still faster.
I honestly thought I would be bummed and, frankly, slightly depressed. Turns out it was a great move. The new car is amazing. I also bought a classic, so obviously have no issues with that one.

Good look, y'all. I'm too old to be dealing with CARB crap. No, I just enjoyed driving my cars.