Glad to see I answered all your questions, didn't even know I weas trying anybody know the answer to mine?

 

Now I have a question about replacing Cats.

What are the restrictions on replacing a Catalytic converter in California? I remember reading something about not being able to replace it unless it's failing or over 40,000 miles (or something like that ).

Would we have to put the original style Cat back into it, or can we acutually use a 3" High flow cat (legally that is)?

Thanks in advance,
LHB

 

so where can a person actually find all the actuall rules and stuff for this...i was reading sport compact national today and they had n article about legal mods ..exceptions and things like tat...but for canada....where can i find the us version?

 

I have a copy (on CD) givin to me from my neighbor who is a sheriff but you can also go to http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vctoc.htm
...its kinda hard finding exact things in it but you just have to look hard.
most quedtions regaurding Mod's are in division 12

 

when I was looking for front license plate requirements, I found it by searching on that site. I believe there is an index at the beginning. As for cats, you are required to have an OEM style cat for at least the first 40,000 miles (I thought it was more, maybe they changed it), but I don't know what the restrictions for afterwards are. Maybe still OEM, maybe any cats that passes the emissions test. I dunno.

 

somebody should write a sticky on these us carb laws...so we know where to go when we need to check something...

 

If you have the cd that's great but if you want, you can go to your local DMV and ask to buy a California Vehicle Code Handbook. It was $15 before but I am pretty sure it went up since Cali. is in debt. In this book, you will find everything and everything about cars in California...all the regulations. As for aftermarket cat., buy one from a reputable company and make sure it has all the documentation that it is legal. Like I said I used to be a smog tech. and California a going crazy with smog. Now we have to dyno our car to see if it passes smog! BTW I know this is a Lancer forum, but for your friends that has an Evo, I have a little secret about the smog test for the Evo. just PM me.

 

the link i posted above is the exact code handbook straight from their site and the cd was burned straight from that so why pay $15 for what you can get for free on the net??

 

ok here is what i know based off of doin the RRM carb work.

An exhaust is carb legal but you can still get a ticket if it excedes the maximum noise. CARB CERT on an exhaust doesnt make it legal.

As for changing your cat, you can only do so if it is damaged or defective. That is with all newer vehicles. The kicker is is must be replaced with something that has the same fire off time and catalyst properties to be 100% legal.

Now to pass smog, start your car drive for 50 miles or so (get everything nice and hot) and head right into the test center, get up on the roller and test and get out.

there are other strange and weird rules that i have learned.

Keep your certs with you, stickers MUST be displayed on the device and the cop can still reserve the right to send you to a referee to make sure the components you have are correct for the kit.

 

ok so right now all i have in my car is my aem cai...which has the carb cert on it...but the sticker is on the cai...and is covered by the rubber stuff...what do i need to do about that

 

California is a wonderful state but boy are their rules stupid! Cops pulling you over for nice exhausts? Popping open your hood to see your mods? Oh please. There are other crimes going on. I live here in Jersey and it is common to see cars with aftermaket exhausts that sound like loud farts and they don't get pulled over. As long as you don't speed or disobey traffic laws they leave you alone. Glad I live here on the East Coast.

 

if it doesnt include a replacement of the cat then its smog leagal. plain and simple - however, if it is too loud, you can get a ticket for noise! but not an illegal mod. it woudl be the same ticket you would get with a huge stereo. if you get anyother ticket, take it to court, you will win

 

CARB/EO certification is required for any modification that interferes/modifies the vehicles emissions. This includes intakes, turbo, converter etc.. Cat back systems do not require certification cause they have no effect on emissions. The cop can however give you a ticket for excessive db levels if he feels that your are passed the legal 95 db which is the highest allowed in CA since a new law was passed 27150.2 VC. Police are no longer required to use a sound meter and can use his own judgement. To fight it, you can take your car to a sound db testing facilty/smog station and request a printout of your results to take to court. and if a cop ever gives you "not DOT approved" BS he's blowing smoke up your ***. The only items required to have DOT approval are safety items like seatbelts, lightings, brakes etc...



*I use this link all the time at work and it should be helpful to anyone who needs it.
CARB/ EO Number listing:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermk...es/amquery.php

All you have to do is find the "Device Type" you are looking for, Search for EO, print the pdf EO documentation (if you find one) and keep it in your glove box.

 

40,000 miles or 4 years old! if it is replaced, it has to be factory! no aftermarket. after that mileage, you will need to be running a cat that is CARB exempt, and it will need to be an OBDII complient cat.