timmyturbo
Autocross Champion
- Location
- earth
- Car(s)
- Audi S3
Finally someone said it. I won't type it all out but anyone can read about the specific rules for replacing catalytic converters right on EPA website. Personally I think it sucks given the rules were written in the late 80's with little changes since and I'm sure there have been technology advances since. I do think it's interesting APR tried it, and showed it could be done, but CARB and EPA shot it down, definitely shows commitment to aftermarket performance by APR. We keep deluding ourselves thinking if I put a good catalytic converter on (GESI for example) all is good. Yes, you probably won't throw a CEL, you might even sneak by the inspection station that never actually looked to see if you have the OE cat(s), but it's never technically going to be legal. Just keep playing the game if you want, switching downpipes and so on, until you no longer can.Just FYI: There's a big difference between passing an onboard test, not throwing a CEL, passing a local sniffer test, and actually being federally EPA or CARB legal. We went down this road with GESI making "legal" setups for quite some time. We worked with them to get different wash coats on the cats, repositioned them, and added more units, played with several things, all in an effort to to make a system that lights off as fast as stock, has the same emissions, or less, and passed everything. However it was still a no from CARB/EPA (even if it was better than stock). IIRC the cat can't fit a car that's still under the original factory emission warranty, which is like 8 years and over 100K, or something liek that. So, if we achieved CARB on a downpipe, it would have to be something like 8 years after the last mk7 was made (that includes ANY vehicle that that it fits on, so probably the jetta will be extended our several more years, meaning we're stuck waiting for a very long time). Point being when someone says a downpipe is Legal, I would take it with a grain of salt. Ask them for the executive order number and documents.
Side note, the other caveat to the 8years/80K miles for 1995 and newer vehicles..."a legitimate need for replacement has been established and appropriately documented". This is quoted from EPA documentation. EPA's stance is the catalytic converter is the single most important emmissions device on a vehicle and replacing a working cat is a no no
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