Registered. Generally, an aftermarket downpipe will not pass a visual inspection at the smog shop.

Will an aftermarket Catted downpipe pass emissions?

No point in going catted. Aftermarket cats are junk and only a matter of time before you throw a cel and regret not going catless in the first place for more power. With MHD and JB4 all readiness is cleared except 1, which is allowed to pass the emissions test.

Will a Catted downpipe pass smog in California?

To be honest, if the rest of your car is running correctly, your car should pass perfectly fine with a catted down pipe. The issue is if they do a thorough inspection and there's no carb sticker on the part, you can fail inspection but still pass the smog test.

Do downpipes pass emissions?

In short, yes. All catless downpipes remove a major part of your emissions system, the catalytic converters. By no accident there will be the smell of raw fuel / unburnt hydrocarbons.

Can you have a downpipe in California?

A "Downpipe" is a pipe with no catalytic converter. Missing a cat in California is illegal. A "Downpipe" is a pipe with no catalytic converter. Missing a cat in California is illegal.

What is keeping Catted Downpipes from Passing Emissions? | 034Motorsport FAQ

16 related questions found

What is a Catted downpipe?

Catted means that it comes with a high-flow catalytic converter. Catless downpipes come without one. Catalytic converters clean exhaust gases as they pass through a catalyst. This deals with the smell from the raw exhaust fumes. If you get a catless version, then the vehicle will emit a noticeable odor.

Is it illegal to have a Catless downpipe in California?

No it's still illegal. I'm not legal with a MBRP catted DP. You will pass a portable sniffer test but if they want to be a douche they can still send you to make sure.

Does a downpipe make your car louder?

Aftermarket downpipe definitely makes a car louder and sound more aggressive. This is because aftermarket downpipes are louder than stock and they reduce the backpressure in exhaust. Allowing sound waves to travel smoothly without collision.

Does APR Stage 2 pass emissions?

Stage 2 will not pass emissions in many places. This information is available out there or you could have communicated directly with APR. I've been stage 2+ for the better part of 10 years and knew this back when I upgraded. That being said, stage 2 disables the readiness so that you don't get a CEL or EPC light.

Can you pass smog with Catless?

Registered. No cat means no pass here in CA simple as that. Unless you "have a guy". Keep stock and swap back for smog or dont bother.

Can you go Catless?

Going catless has the benefits of eliminating restrictions in your exhaust + reduces back pressure on the engine to allow for more airflow, thus more power. Eliminating the cats will also have the added benefits of reducing weight, and therefore incremental performance gains.

What is a high flow downpipe?

High-Flow Catted Downpipes. The only difference between these two options, as you can imagine, is a catalytic converter. Catless options will completely remove the catalytic converter while high-flow options will use an upgraded or higher performance cat that is less restrictive than the OEM system.

Why do people buy Catted downpipes?

We install aftermarket downpipes to improve exhaust flow. ... This means the exhaust gases can flow harder and generate more power for the turbo to do its work – resulting in more horsepower. Stock CAT with a very restrictive opening. Aftermarket downpipe that equips a less restrictive CAT is called catted downpipe.

Will a Catted downpipe pass emissions Texas?

The answer is no. You will fail emissions without a cat in Texas. Your best bet is to keep a cat and just install it at inspection time, but this of course this is illegal as well.

Why are WRX cats so expensive?

They are costly because they use expensive metals such as palladium to promote the chemical reactions that cleanse the exhaust. Palladium costs about $50 a gram—more than gold—and each catalytic converter contains about 5 grams of it. ... In theory, catalysts can be used over and over, indefinitely.

Is a Catted downpipe worth it?

Installing a catted downpipe with a tune can give you up to 40 horsepower and probably half that without a tune – about 20 horsepower. This is a pretty good boost of horsepower from just one performance mod. Louder exhaust sound. Aftermarket downpipe is wider and less restrictive than a stock downpipe.

Do downpipes void warranty?

Installing downpipe will not void your car's entire warranty. If you are living in the US, then you are protected by the Magnuson Moss Warranty act. ... So for downpipe installation, you may lose warranty only for your exhaust, downpipe and turbo – not everything.

Do downpipes increase HP?

On a turbocharged vehicle, a downpipe is a part of the exhaust system that connects the turbo exit to the catalytic converter. ... While it's generally accepted that installing a downpipe will add "just" 10 to 20 horsepower, that gain is noticeable anytime the turbo is engaged. It adds up to a big increase in performance.

Are downpipes only for turbo cars?

A downpipe IS for turbo cars, but for all practical purposes we still call our n/a frontpipes "downpipes".

Are Catless exhausts legal?

Catless downpipe is not legal in every state of the US (almost in the majority of countries, I would say). Catless downpipe is illegal to drive on the street because of high emission concerns. If you are planning to install a downpipe for your daily driver, then you should look for a catted downpipe instead.

Is a Catted downpipe bad for your car?

A common misconception is that a catless downpipe will immediately make more power. This is NOT the case for most vehicles. ... Aside from not making any additional power over a high flow catted downpipe, a catless downpipe is bad for the environment and can also be bad for you, your community, and your engine.

Do I need a tune for a Catted downpipe?

Premium Member. The previous owner of my ST an I ran a 200 cell catted downpipe for a total of over 4 years without any sort of tune and it was totally fine. Still, your car will transform once you get it dialed up properly.

Does downpipe affect the engine?

Sound. Larger diameter piping and less restrictive catalytic converters not only allow more air to flow, but it also allows more sound to flow as well. While not nearly as loud as an exhaust system, a performance downpipe will provide more engine noise while driving, adding to the overall experience.

What is the difference between Catback and Catless?

Well a catback means that it is the piping after the cat. Hence the name catback. Now catless means that your downpipe has no cat, just like a straight pipe.

Does Catback include downpipe?

The Cat Back is an exhaust system that contains the catalytic converter, whereas, installing a Turbo Back Exhaust system will include also installing the downpipe that connects everything together. ... If you do, you'll want to choose a Cat Back Exhaust system instead of a Turbo Back exhaust system.