Running a car with no cat?

[OS]

Since engines are more powerful when unhindered by hippy inspired emission controls , why not just rip the catalytic converter off a car completely and only reattach it for smog checks?

I kind of want to get like a new V6 accord coupe, rip off the cat and get an ECU that damns any smog considerations Or I suppose do the same with an RSX, either will work

 

[rawko]

I believe it might actually hurt performance. I've heard that somehow the backpressure created by the cat converter helps it somewhat, so eliminating it might loose power.

 

[Adul]

it is illegal to do that you know.

 

[vi edit]

completely unfounded answer: I have heard yanking 2 of the 3 cats off of the Soobie WRX will bring it up to just a hair under 300 HP.

 

[OS]

<< it is illegal to do that you know. >>



You know what? I don't give a sh!t. Laws don't represent morality.

 

[OS]

<< I believe it might actually hurt performance. I've heard that somehow the backpressure created by the cat converter helps it somewhat, so eliminating it might loose power. >>



I thought back in the day of SAE gross HP ratings, they'd run engines on just a bench w/o restrictions on intake/exhaust and the engines would actually put out more hp than when installed in a car. Are modern engines different?

 

[N8Magic]

[I}<< it is illegal to do that you know. >>

You know what? I don't give a sh!t. Laws don't represent morality. [/i]

You might give a sh!t if you can't pass your bi-yearly emissions test. (if your state/province has them.) Then they charge you to put all that stuff BACK ON.

 

[OS]

<< You might give a sh!t if you can't pass your bi-yearly emissions test. (if your state/province has them.) Then they charge you to put all that stuff BACK ON. >>




That's why I said put it all back on before the smog test

 

[Rastus]

Putting flanges on your cat and replacing it with a straight pipe when racing is a common mod. Then you put the cat back on when inspection time comes up.

 

[N8Magic]

Oops. Didn't notice that part.

 

[OS]

<< Putting flanges on your cat and replacing it with a straight pipe when racing is a common mod. Then you put the cat back on when inspection time comes up. >>



I see, so what about the ECU? Do they swap out the stock one for an &quot;emissions be damned&quot; unit?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

This is ridiculous. If you want a performance car, buy one. An Accord coupe, with or without catalytic converter, is an automatic-equipped comfort cruiser, not a sports car. I owned a V-6 Accord for a while and there was nothing sporty about it.

The laws requiring catalytic converters are for all of our benefit, as they eliminate highly toxic gases from release - if you want to remove them be smart and keep it to yourself.

 

[Colt45]

just rip out everything under the hood and stick in a carbeurated small block V8 (chevy) and a manual transmission

 

[gittyup]

Wow. I thought the topic was running over a cat with your car.. :Q

 

[OS]

<< This is ridiculous. If you want a performance car, buy one. An Accord coupe, with or without catalytic converter, is an automatic-equipped comfort cruiser, not a sports car. I owned a V-6 Accord for a while and there was nothing sporty about it. >>



Why does it matter to you what I do with a car half a country away from you?





<< The laws requiring catalytic converters are for all of our benefit, as they eliminate highly toxic gases from release - if you want to remove them be smart and keep it to yourself. >>




Riiight, classic cars have jack sh!t for emissions. Go tell them what you just told me.






<< just rip out everything under the hood and stick in a carbeurated small block V8 (chevy) and a manual transmission >>



LOL, actually that's a legit way to get around emissions.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

<< The laws requiring catalytic converters are for all of our benefit, as they eliminate highly toxic gases from release - if you want to remove them be smart and keep it to yourself.

Riiight, classic cars have jack sh!t for emissions. Go tell them what you just told me. >>



Classic cars are grandfathered in - this is the same reason they do not need shoulder belts or air bags.

 

[OS]

<< Classic cars are grandfathered in - this is the same reason they do not need shoulder belts or air bags. >>



Exactly, there is no logical consistency about our laws. If the gases were really that toxic, legislators wouldn't allow them to be driven around anymore.

 

[Colt45]

<<

<< Classic cars are grandfathered in - this is the same reason they do not need shoulder belts or air bags. >>



Exactly, there is no logical consistency about our laws. If the gases were really that toxic, legislators wouldn't allow them to be driven around anymore. >>



theyre letting them die out.. they cant make the poor people in their welfare-mobile buy a new car..

 

[OS]

<< theyre letting them die out.. they cant make the poor people in their welfare-mobile buy a new car.. >>




Although I agree with the reasoning, then how come there isn't an income exemption?

 

[Colt45]

<<

<< theyre letting them die out.. they cant make the poor people in their welfare-mobile buy a new car.. >>




Although I agree with the reasoning, then how come there isn't an income exemption? >>



did you really expect for the govn't to come up with an idea like that? they're too stupid.. and the rich and middle class would bitch about it as well..

 

[OS]

<< did you really expect for the govn't to come up with an idea like that? they're too stupid.. and the rich and middle class would bitch about it as well.. >>




Great, so we'll just keep around a dozen inconsistent standards for emissions, a system where people can keep a car that puts out hundreds of times more pollutants than a new car.

 

[Colt45]

<<

<< did you really expect for the govn't to come up with an idea like that? they're too stupid.. and the rich and middle class would bitch about it as well.. >>




Great, so we'll just keep around a dozen inconsistent standards for emissions, a system where people can keep a car that puts out hundreds of times more pollutants than a new car. >>



yup, i don't like it, but i can't do much about it...
WANNA START A REVOLUTION?

 

[OS]

<< yup, i don't like it, but i can't do much about it... >>





<< WANNA START A REVOLUTION? >>




hahaha, yeah it just strikes me as a hideously messed up system. Hell supposedly semis put out more emissions than thousands of new cars! I mean, freaking lawnmowers and weed trimmers put out more crap than new cars, and yet the government seems so hell bent on screwing new car buyers/owners while ignoring nearly every truly serious source of pollutants.

Even if you completely ripped the emissions control out of a new car, it'd still be cleaner than those old muscle cars. But people can keep those as many of those as long as they want? WTF? I'm just asking for some consistency, that's all. It doesn't have to perfectly equal, but man that's incredibly messed up that legislation works in such a way that one car can put out hundreds of times more emissions than another.

 

[tm37]

Accually The law in California is the Car must have all original emmision control equiptment. With the smog in LA and even San DIego this is a good deal. THe current Federal for new cars is Just as strict as CA. The $100 is for CAL CERT. A fee the man. Pays the state.

Now in california they DO ROAD SIDE TESTS. Also If you are running straight pipes you will fall under the NOISE ordence. No Big deal if you don't get caught BUT IF YOU DO.... Mucho CASHOLA!

 

[Colt45]

<< Accually The law in California is the Car must have all original emmision control equiptment. With the smog in LA and even San DIego this is a good deal. THe current Federal for new cars is Just as strict as CA. The $100 is for CAL CERT. A fee the man. Pays the state.

Now in california they DO ROAD SIDE TESTS. Also If you are running straight pipes you will fall under the NOISE ordence. No Big deal if you don't get caught BUT IF YOU DO.... Mucho CASHOLA! >>



what if you come from out of state (say canada in my situation) and they test your car? you still gotta pay?