What up guys. The other day I was stopped at a red light and a cop was passing next to me slowly and my car was smelling pretty bad cause of my test pipe so I got scared he was gunna pull me over for no cats. I just wanted to know if anyone had any experiences getting a ticket for no cats and how much it is and any other info you guys have.

Thanks

I've been out here about 4 months now and haven't had an actual problem yet, thought I was gonna get pulled over more than once though lol.

i think the ticket is 2000+ and they might be able to impound the vehicle for a set period of time...

it got worse after jan 1st 2009 cause there was a change in the law.
pretty much if your cat isnt stock (which they can tell by checking the stamp in the metal housing) youll have an issue.
but with a test pipe, you are really screwed

Oh dang man thats one hell of a ticket. Has anyone been busted? any stories you guys wanna share and maybe some help in how to not get caught? lol

Don't get caught without a cat, you'll regret it.

You'll notice cops will follow behind real closely sometimes to run your plates and if they smell you catless (it is real obvious) they will pull you over. Depending if they have the equipment to check under the car, they may issue you a ticket on the spot or send you to a smog ref station.

Tampered emissions equipment (no cat) is a non-correctable violation and you have to pay the $2000+ fine and/or have your car impounded.

Back when I had no cat on my SR20DET (illegal motor) 240SX, I'd crap in my pants every time the police got behind me and turn into a parking lot or somewhere and shut the car down.

Oh man thats scary. I already pay too much for speeding tickets and a ticket like this will kill me. Is there anything we can do to prevent a ticket?
So does a HFC help with the smell or is it still noticable? HFC are illegal too right?

I think its also a misdemeanor

Oh man thats scary. I already pay too much for speeding tickets and a ticket like this will kill me. Is there anything we can do to prevent a ticket?
So does a HFC help with the smell or is it still noticable? HFC are illegal too right?

I had a HFC before the test pipe.. it definitely cuts down on the smell and soot coming out the tailpipe. HFC is also illegal but it may be enough so they don't have a cause to pull you over.

If you have out of state plates, they usually let you off too since they don't know if you're just visiting the California and cats may not be required in your state.

Not all hfc are illegal

Not all hfc are illegal

Do you know which ones arent?

Not all hfc are illegal

Are you sure? I'm really glad I saw this thread...I'm going to keep mine stock and sacrafice the 10 whp for some peace of mind :shades:

Are you sure? I'm really glad I saw this thread...I'm going to keep mine stock and sacrafice the 10 whp for some peace of mind :shades:
Yes I'm pretty sure. It has to be CARB certified tho.

as far as i know since jan 1st 2009 all cats except for factory stamped, numbered, and tagged cats are illegal in the state of california.

now, if you get pulled over with a hfc and a cop looks underneath, you will more than likely be spared because you will pass a visual... however, if you are sent to a ref, they will inspect and deny it if its not the cat from the manufacture.

Anyone wanna trade a hfc for my test pipe? lol

heres a list as to what the law states now that should be stamped on a california legal cat:

The body should be clearly labeled with the following:
A.R.B.- EO Number: (example: D-193-88)
Part Number: (example: 34015)
Date Code: (example: 0109)
Directional Flow Arrow
1/2" Tall Numbers
Must Be Visible From 5ft. Away

http://www.car-sound.com/04basics/gifs/stamp.jpg

and heres a list of what needs to be done in order to replace that factory unit with any other unit legally:

New California Aftermarket Catalytic Converters
As of January 1st, 2009, What You Can and What You Cannot Sell/Required:

(A) The vehicle is specifically included in the vehicle application list (http://www.car-sound.com/02product/02california.asp) for which the new aftermarket catalytic converter has been exempted;

(B) The vehicle is more than 7 years old or has more than 70,000 miles on its odometer;

(C) The vehicle is beyond the coverage of the OEM catalyst warranty period (which can vary from 7 years or 70,000 miles to as high as 15 years or 150,000 miles).2 Installers may reference the vehicle owner’s manual/warranty booklet or contact the vehicle manufacturer or its representative to verify the applicable OEM catalyst warranty;

(D) The vehicle has a legitimate need for replacement of the existing converter that has been established and documented by the installer on the repair invoice. If the OEM converter is present, the installer must make a determination that it is not functioning properly before acting to replace it;

(E) The exempted new aftermarket catalytic converter is installed in the same location as the OEM catalytic converter it is designed to replace. The front face of the installed catalytic converter shall be no more than three inches further upstream or downstream in the exhaust from where the front face of the OEM catalytic converter was located. The installation may not alter the location, position, or orientation of oxygen sensors upstream and downstream of the catalytic converter(s);

(F) The exempted new aftermarket catalytic converter is installed on a one-for one catalytic converter (not substrate) basis;

(G) The exempted new aftermarket catalytic converter is installed with all other required catalytic converters (no consolidation of catalytic converters, nor addition of extra catalytic converters is allowed); and

(H) A warranty card (http://www.car-sound.com/04basics/04california_warranty.asp) has been filled out by the installer, signed by the customer, attached to the repair invoice, and a copy returned to the manufacturer.

(I) Installers shall keep documentation regarding the installation of the new aftermarket catalytic converters including all of the above information. This documentation shall be made available to ARB or its representative as provided for in title 13, section 2222(b)(8). All such records shall be maintained for four years from the date of sale or installation of the catalytic converter.

Wow man thanks for all the info. But dang man these are some stupid laws. Let us live!! Ghezzh

Ok nvm lol

Its been like 2 years since I last checked these laws

I had a HFC before the test pipe.. it definitely cuts down on the smell and soot coming out the tailpipe. HFC is also illegal but it may be enough so they don't have a cause to pull you over.

If you have out of state plates, they usually let you off too since they don't know if you're just visiting the California and cats may not be required in your state.

CATs are required in ALL 50 States. It's federal law that you HAVE to have a CAT, so regardless of the state that you're "visiting" from, you HAVE to have one.

Cops, most of the time, won't pull you over for a lot of things that they would pull over someone with CA plates, mainly because it's a hassle for them.

Out here in Hawaii, you need safety checks and depending on the station you go to, they may or may not get under your car and check for a CAT. They don't smog your car, but they do check to see if everything is in "working" order. I would rather deal with smog, since Hawaii laws against modifying your car are extremely GAY!

I have the stock cat on my car, however, I was pulled over once for my tinted windows and the cop checked me for a cat...

I have the stock cat on my car, however, I was pulled over once for my tinted windows and the cop checked me for a cat...
I've been catless for a while and I've been pulled over a couple times and the cop never looked. They only said they see I have a modified exhaust but wont write me up for it. I guess I got lucky huh lol

I have the stock cat on my car, however, I was pulled over once for my tinted windows and the cop checked me for a cat...
What state?

What state?
Cali

Cali
Dang
Better put that cat back on....
Damn I told you! Just goes to prove pussy ...(another name for a cat) you can't live without it. *sigh*

Dang
Better put that cat back on....
Damn I told you! Just goes to prove pussy ...(another name for a cat) you can't live without it. *sigh*

I cant run stage 2 with the cat can I??

I cant run stage 2 with the cat can I??

A HFC maybe, not stock though.

A HFC maybe, not stock though.
I see. So who sells a good hfc but not to expensive? Or anyone down for a trade? Ill put some money on top too

i got my hfc from rre. dont remember how much it was though

i got my hfc from rre. dont remember how much it was though
It was custom made though right? cause its not on there website.

In all honesty, out here in Cali, you may as well just run the test pipe as opposed to a HFC, as both won't be legal when it comes down to it.

Man the police not going to do nothing!!! I have been running no-cats for year in a lot of cars. Where I live now in Wyoming there is no inspections or anything you can even run slicks in the city limits and four wheelers on the road. But I lived on Texas (DFW) for 23 years and never had any problems. My Brother got stopped once for it by Highway patrol (there the dicks) and gave him a warning so he went and got his cat and degutted it. So still has OEM number and all bells and whistles. But there a chance in everything in life just how much are you going push it??? I mean cop going have get under your car and check it out and everything. Cops I know sure hell are not going do that but Cali heard they are big A**!!! Don’t be scared!!!

Man the police not going to do nothing!!! I have been running no-cats for year in a lot of cars. Where I live now in Wyoming there is no inspections or anything you can even run slicks in the city limits and four wheelers on the road. But I lived on Texas (DFW) for 23 years and never had any problems. My Brother got stopped once for it by Highway patrol (there the dicks) and gave him a warning so he went and got his cat and degutted it. So still has OEM number and all bells and whistles. But there a chance in everything in life just how much are you going push it??? I mean cop going have get under your car and check it out and everything. Cops I know sure hell are not going do that but Cali heard they are big A**!!! Don’t be scared!!!

Its easy for someone who doesn't live in cali to make these kind of comments....

I say be scurred be very very scurred. Lol

Its easy for someone who doesn't live in cali to make these kind of comments....

I say be scurred be very very scurred. Lol
Lol I am scurred. I do anything and everything to avoid cops. Lately after getting some points on my record ive been driving speed limit and hopefully that will prevent me for getting pulled over for anything. I do have smoked lights but I leave the lights on so they see the red and do cry about it lol.

Its easy for someone who doesn't live in cali to make these kind of comments....

I say be scurred be very very scurred. Lol


LOL you damn strait!!! But you know its against the law about everywhere you go.( I heard Cali hardest)If it bothers you that much just leave stock cat on man not worth going crazy over. You got that many points I would not wanna lose my lic either. Best of luck bro.

LOL you damn strait!!! But you know its against the law about everywhere you go.( I heard Cali hardest)If it bothers you that much just leave stock cat on man not worth going crazy over. You got that many points I would not wanna lose my lic either. Best of luck bro.

300+ awhp or 200's? lol I just have to thug life it and keep it i guess lol But ill be looking for a hfc thats not too expensive cause I dont wanna pay around $400 for it knowing I couldve had a o2 open dump downpipe.

In all honesty, out here in Cali, you may as well just run the test pipe as opposed to a HFC, as both won't be legal when it comes down to it.


both wont be legal yes, but the difference is if a cop sees you with a test pipe, you are done.
if you get a ref ticket, you at least can swap it before inspection.

Man the police not going to do nothing!!! I have been running no-cats for year in a lot of cars. Where I live now in Wyoming there is no inspections or anything you can even run slicks in the city limits and four wheelers on the road. But I lived on Texas (DFW) for 23 years and never had any problems. My Brother got stopped once for it by Highway patrol (there the dicks) and gave him a warning so he went and got his cat and degutted it. So still has OEM number and all bells and whistles. But there a chance in everything in life just how much are you going push it??? I mean cop going have get under your car and check it out and everything. Cops I know sure hell are not going do that but Cali heard they are big A**!!! Don’t be scared!!!

cops dont have to do anything out here. if a cop even suspects you are modded in cali (no proof needed, pleading your innocence even if stock is something that can be done to the ref or the courts) he can write you a ref ticket. however, boost gauges, turbo timers ect are all illegal so its not hard for him to write you a citation with ease... if a cop bends down and sees a shiny test pipe or something that isnt cat looking... youll get impounded without question.

recently someone failed ref inspection for a missing bolts on his exhaust manifold heat sheild
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/ff06225e47.jpg

both wont be legal yes, but the difference is if a cop sees you with a test pipe, you are done.
if you get a ref ticket, you at least can swap it before inspection.

Definitely HFC is better than not having one. At least it doesnt smell as bad and you can say you do have a cat if they ask.

cops dont have to do anything out here. if a cop even suspects you are modded in cali (no proof needed, pleading your innocence even if stock is something that can be done to the ref or the courts) he can write you a ref ticket. however, boost gauges, turbo timers ect are all illegal so its not hard for him to write you a citation with ease... if a cop bends down and sees a shiny test pipe or something that isnt cat looking... youll get impounded without question.


Kind of would have to disagree with "you'll get impounded without question." I have searched hard to find someone getting impounded and haven't found anyone yet. So even if there are posts out there of this happening to people I doubt it happens "without question."

well the law states that modification to a catalytic converter is automatic impound.

so theres not really much to argue if a cop looks under your car and sees a nice shiny round pipe where the cat is supposed to be.

Definitely HFC is better than not having one. At least it doesnt smell as bad and you can say you do have a cat if they ask.
Yeah im thinking if I have a hfc then it wont smell really bad and wont give the cop any ideas that im catless so that will prevent him from looking under the car. Last thing I (or us californians) want is a huge fine and our loved ones getting impounded.

Having been pulled over for tint and exhaust a couple times....I have NEVER been given a hard time for a high flow cat. After making me rev the engine both times I just got the "thats not too loud" and let me go. Id be surprised that unless they could smell the catless... That they would even bother to get on their knees to look. That being said...Id NEVER run catless here in Cali.

I'm running the mini-muffler test pipe from Ultimate Racing. Haven't had any cops out here in Hawaii give me any trouble for my exhaust noise. This one time when I got pulled over, after the cop gave me my ticket, he was behind my car and was logging in his shit, and I started up my car and drove away. He didn't even give me a second look.

I can't wait to move back to CA, I know cops aren't gonna be dicks with me cuz the X isn't really a "racer boy" looking car (unless you make it look like one) and my exhaust is full turbo back but sounds like it's only cat back.

cops dont have to do anything out here. if a cop even suspects you are modded in cali (no proof needed, pleading your innocence even if stock is something that can be done to the ref or the courts) he can write you a ref ticket. however, boost gauges, turbo timers ect are all illegal so its not hard for him to write you a citation with ease... if a cop bends down and sees a shiny test pipe or something that isnt cat looking... youll get impounded without question.

recently someone failed ref inspection for a missing bolts on his exhaust manifold heat sheild






All I got to say is you guys might wanna think about moving! LOL! Come out here to east Wyoming I'll get you jobs at coal mines making good money and no inspections here. lol. best of luck guys seems really tuff.

Move to Canada, problem fixed.

Move to Canada, problem fixed.

Well...I have always had a thing for Canadian women...:thumbup:

If you REALLY want a test pipe in California, do what I did: Buy hiflow cat (I purchased a magnaflow cat. Poke and prod internals of said cat until all contents fall out, clean it out, and voila. You now have a 3" test pipe with heat shields. Oh, I forgot to mention, that this was on my last evo. Never got pulled over for it specifically, but when I did get pulled over for other various offenses, and the police officer looked under my vehicle, he never mentioned anything and I just received a speeding ticket.

Oh, and although everyone perceives California cops as being anal about modifying cars, the fact of the matter is that 99.99% of the time, they are only going to pull you over and start peeking around if you're driving like a fucking idiot, kinda like I was as I stated in the post above. haha.

Come on Coal Mines are fun!!! You work on these things.



http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/95/l_c333a93e24304c6c929fe4920ab30e68.jpg



Nothing like it when -30 oustide too. LOL!!! (and yes thats me)

Oh, and although everyone perceives California cops as being anal about modifying cars, the fact of the matter is that 99.99% of the time, they are only going to pull you over and start peeking around if you're driving like a fucking idiot, kinda like I was as I stated in the post above. haha.
Twuth

Come on Coal Mines are fun!!! You work on these things.



http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/95/l_c333a93e24304c6c929fe4920ab30e68.jpg



Nothing like it when -30 oustide too. LOL!!! (and yes thats me)

Nice do I get to smash subies with it? :D

What do you guys think about running a ceramic HFC like this?

http://www.ultimate-racing.com/xcart/product.php?productid=118&cat=72&page=2

How much HP would I lose vs running a metal substrate hfc?

If you have out of state plates, they usually let you off too since they don't know if you're just visiting the California and cats may not be required in your state. Removing a CA is illegal in all 48 states. Federal law. Doesn't matter where your car is registered.

Only thing that changes with state/county of registration is whether the vehicle is subject to periodic inspections. Modification and/or removal of emissions control equipment/devices is still illegal whether it's inspected or not.

all 50? good luck to you guys in Cali. Here in florida they really only check for tints. I have never heard of anyone down here getting stopped for one.

Can anybody answer my post above?

Removing a CA is illegal in all 48 states. Federal law. Doesn't matter where your car is registered.

Only thing that changes with state/county of registration is whether the vehicle is subject to periodic inspections. Modification and/or removal of emissions control equipment/devices is still illegal whether it's inspected or not.


OPPPSSSSSSSSS!!! LOL!!! :whipping:


Man I don't know what you would lose man. Wish I could help you there man.

Ceramic cats don't flow like the metal substrates. The best HF cat power wise is the Mil.spec 100 cell, but it's pricey and they only sell the cat so you have to have someone weld it into a test pipe. There are some metal substrate 300 cell cats available from T1R, Specialty X and others.

You gain 20-30hp going from the OEM cat to a test pipe depending on mods. The ceramic will gain around 10 from OEM and the 100 Cell will gain around 15-20 on a modded car. The 300 cell is somewhere in between.

GST posted some good dyno data a while back on the other forum Evo 8/9 section.

Why not put it back on and retune if needed? How about installing a water/meth injection system to feed your power desire?

I just moved to CA from TX and put my oem cat back on to avoid the potential hassle.

I forgot how much quiter it is with the cat on. No more flames and popping when heel and toeing. If I really need the 20 horsepower back I will do some more mods



JF

hmmm...what about the HFC from UR? wonder what the cell count on that is...

The metal substrate HFC from UR has a 200 Cell count, the AMS and most of the other ones have a 300 cell count.

I like the idea of the UR ceramic HFC because it has 3" tubing and it looks pretty stock. It says it supports up to 450 HP; is that crank or wheel HP?

Does anybody sell those shrouds that cover the ceramic cats, so you can cover a HFC with it and it will look somewhat stock?

Wait so the lower the cell count the higher the flow rate? I thought it was the other way around?

Wait so the lower the cell count the higher the flow rate? I thought it was the other way around?

True, the higher cell counts are more restrictive, but if you go with too low of a cell count, it won't be as effective of a catalytic converter.

damn, that means i should have gotten the HFC from UR....i wonder if its gonna be loud as my mini muffler though...hmmm

have a resonated test pipe, driving home yesterday from class on the freeway, CHP motorcycle cop drove behind me for like 5 minutes. it just ended up that way. and nothing happened.... like F/18 said, unless your driving like a jack ass, you will be fine. just dont have a stupid loud exhaust. i was catless on my STi for a long time and pulled over plenty of times and nothing happend, i guess it just depends on the cop. most of them dont care for all the mod tickets, just speeding.

I've heard peope say to stay away from Ceramic cats but I'm not sure why.

I think you would have to have someone weld up some sheetmetal to look like OEM. I've seen people cut off the heat sheilding from a stock cat and weld it onto a HF.

I got too worried about getting caught cause one day my bro drove and I was in a car behind him and he just spooled up a little and it smelled a lot. So I went ahead and got the RRE rally cat and it looks stock. It also doesn't smell at all which is a great thing. Performance wise I didn't really feel a difference since I beat him by a car with tp and with hfc at the strip last week.

I ran a speed circuit test pipe and ended up replacing it with a Cobb HFC since the smell was so obvious from the TP. HFC FTW

I got too worried about getting caught cause one day my bro drove and I was in a car behind him and he just spooled up a little and it smelled a lot. So I went ahead and got the RRE rally cat and it looks stock. It also doesn't smell at all which is a great thing. Performance wise I didn't really feel a difference since I beat him by a car with tp and with hfc at the strip last week.

what car does your bro drive at the strip?

i ran catless in my Evo IX and was paranoid about having a motorcycle cop sitting next to me at a redlight EVERY SINGLE DAY that i had it. it's why i went with a catted downpipe with my Subaru and sacrificed 15whp across the powerband.

Oh, and although everyone perceives California cops as being anal about modifying cars, the fact of the matter is that 99.99% of the time, they are only going to pull you over and start peeking around if you're driving like a fucking idiot, kinda like I was as I stated in the post above. haha.

or they will pull you over to the fact the more cities in cali are running out of money and the only way to compensate is a good chunk of tickets given away

I got too worried about getting caught cause one day my bro drove and I was in a car behind him and he just spooled up a little and it smelled a lot. So I went ahead and got the RRE rally cat and it looks stock. It also doesn't smell at all which is a great thing. Performance wise I didn't really feel a difference since I beat him by a car with tp and with hfc at the strip last week.

I am actually getting a catback from RRE tomorrow, and i might be getting a HFC as well. Do you know if the stock looking HFC has a metal or ceramic substrate? Do you think it flows as well as a UR or an AMS HFC?

I got too worried about getting caught cause one day my bro drove and I was in a car behind him and he just spooled up a little and it smelled a lot. So I went ahead and got the RRE rally cat and it looks stock. It also doesn't smell at all which is a great thing. Performance wise I didn't really feel a difference since I beat him by a car with tp and with hfc at the strip last week.

Are you still paranoid when driving with the RRE Rally Cat installed? How much worse does a test pipe smell? Does the Rally Cat cut down the smell like a normal HFC? Does the Rally Cat cut down on the exhaust noise?

I appreciate the information!

RRE makes a hfc?

oh wow, they just raised their prices on their UICP and LICP super :ghey:

Damn I told you! Just goes to prove pussy ...(another name for a cat) you can't live without it. *sigh*[/quote]
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
hahahahaha

Are you still paranoid when driving with the RRE Rally Cat installed? How much worse does a test pipe smell? Does the Rally Cat cut down the smell like a normal HFC? Does the Rally Cat cut down on the exhaust noise?

I appreciate the information!

The test pipe smells a lot. I think its enough to get you busted. But withis cat it doesn't smell at all. And exhaust noise barely went down a bit but not enough to really notice it. Right now I'm not even worried stoping next to cops.

Damn I told you! Just goes to prove pussy ...(another name for a cat) you can't live without it. *sigh*
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
hahahahaha[/quote]

better you say it than me.

whipsssssh! jk lol

The test pipe smells a lot. I think its enough to get you busted. But withis cat it doesn't smell at all. And exhaust noise barely went down a bit but not enough to really notice it. Right now I'm not even worried stoping next to cops.


lol

to go catless or to skurdy cat, that is the question.

The test pipe smells a lot. I think its enough to get you busted. But withis cat it doesn't smell at all. And exhaust noise barely went down a bit but not enough to really notice it. Right now I'm not even worried stoping next to cops.

Yeah, I just got a RRE Rally Cat and it seems to smell more than stock, but I don't know what a test pipe smells like. I will call RRE up and find out exactly what they use for the Rally Cat.

Oh, yeah, when I floor it at RPM higher than 5000 RPM, I see a little bit of black smoke :) Can't wait to get my AMS Widemouth and a FMIC kit on this bad boy.

i can't seem to find the RRE rally cat on thei site...link or pm plz thx

i can't seem to find the RRE rally cat on thei site...link or pm plz thx

Give them a call. I payed $250 for mine.

Give them a call. I payed $250 for mine.

whats the cell count and what kind is it again? metal or ceramic?

i was thinkin about getting the UR...

whats the cell count and what kind is it again? metal or ceramic?

i was thinkin about getting the UR...

There is no restriction, get it.....:rock:

the rally cat is a straight pipe with heatshields welded onto it to look like a cat; this is something you can do yourself by getting a magnaflow hiflow cat and punching out the core, saves you about 75-85 bucks.