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  1. #1
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    Chrome Illusion
    2001 Pontiac Trans Am

    Exhaust failing emmisions

    Very long story short,

    2001 Pontiac TA WS6, Has SLP loudmouth, SLP High flow cats. 50,000 miles

    Failing N02 and have been fighting this for 3 years now, I dont have the time or money anymore. I was told by emissions specialist it needs different cats. I tried a friends cats they failed and my slp cats(new) also failed. Exhaust shop wants $700 to put new cats on they say WILL pass. All 02 sensors are new. MAF sensor is new.

    Question, can I get a universal set of cats and save alot of money or take the dive and trust these people. I have failed emissions 5 times now and Its taken me 3 years to accomplish this (kids, work, life). I just want my dam car back and this will put me at $1,200 dropped in this car so far to fix it. Any suggestions??

  2. #2
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    Chrome Illusion
    2001 Pontiac Trans Am

    So the exhaust guy said I need "AP high capacity cats" but theres tons of them, the stock setup wont fit my aftermarket system. Does anyone know what inline cat serial # will work, or do they all work and its just up to the exhaust guy to make it fit?

  3. #3
    Senior Member theorangeguy's Avatar
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    when they are testing the car are they sticking the sniffer ALL the way into the exhaust or just letting it hang there? I've seen guys with our cars fail because the tester doesnt test it correctly...well let me rephrase, doesnt insert the sniffer far enough in to get an accurate reading.

    are you driving the car and letting the cats heat up before you take it to test? Have you tried the "pass in a can" stuff that you run through your motor before you take it to the testing facility? Any exhaust leaks?

  4. #4
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    Chrome Illusion
    2001 Pontiac Trans Am

    Quote Originally Posted by theorangeguy View Post
    when they are testing the car are they sticking the sniffer ALL the way into the exhaust or just letting it hang there? I've seen guys with our cars fail because the tester doesnt test it correctly...well let me rephrase, doesnt insert the sniffer far enough in to get an accurate reading.

    are you driving the car and letting the cats heat up before you take it to test? Have you tried the "pass in a can" stuff that you run through your motor before you take it to the testing facility? Any exhaust leaks?
    I never noticed the sniffer. Its been tested I think 6 times now over 3 years so I would hope someone has done it right atleast once. I have ran the cheat can stuff and even ran an e85 mixture. The shop said with the cats hot the car is close to passing but turning it off for even a couple minutes allows the cats to cool so much that they fail. The emissions facility will let the car sit a few minutes in line turned off. Im wondering if i should just tune t and go that route.

  5. #5
    Spaz is My Mentor SMWS6TA's Avatar
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    that makes no sense that they let it cool off. To properly test the CATS they have to be at operating temp in order to perform correctly. How long do you drive prior to getting to the shop?

    10-15 mins? or 30< mins?


    You should run the car for a good 30 mins or more prior to getting it tested. One it lets the CATS get good and hot and unless they have you wait an hr prior to testing the CATS should still be close to operating temps that even at idle it will quickly get hot enough.

    I helped my dad replaced his CATS on his Suburban, went to the shop to pass TX inspection. It failed, the guys asked how long we drove, we told him 10 mins from the house to here. He told us to take if for a long drive (about an hour) and come back. We did and it passed. I asked how come and he told me that what I typed above.


    Are you running LT headers with the setup? Where are the SLP CATS placed in relation to the exhaust manifolds (in the y pipe, how far down, after the Y pipe?)
    Last edited by SMWS6TA; 10-09-2013 at 07:27 AM.

  6. #6
    Member Redrokit8's Avatar
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    2002 Trans AM WS6

    In NJ, whether you go to State Inspection site or private garage, if you have electronic engine controls they just plug into your port under dash. I went to a private facility earlier this month and passed with flying colors. Please note my signature & mods. This would be the procedure for your 2001. I do have high flow cats, sensors etc. The inspector just wanted to see them visually and that they had sensors wired in.
    If you don't have a check engine light on, service soon light, running light warning, you're usually god to go. No tailpipe probe.
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  7. #7
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    Chrome Illusion
    2001 Pontiac Trans Am

    Ok I broke down and installed AP cats and it passed way under the limit! They said most cars fail without the AP cats if they went aftermarket. I heard a lot of LS1's struggle. But my 3 year fight and $1,500 later I'm done

  8. #8
    Senior Member 98TransAmWs-6's Avatar
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    Congratz on passing! I hope I don't have these issues come emissions time. I believe VA just runs your car for 15mins and checks the computer and if you pass that there are no more tests.
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  9. #9
    Senior Member theorangeguy's Avatar
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    While we are on this subject..........I've got LT's with no cats...I moved to Nashville about 2 months ago and they require a sniffer test. Am I going to have to get a new Y pipe since mine is an ORY? or can a muffler shop make mine work with cats...?

    really not going to like my exhaust with cats on it but I dont have a choice...

  10. #10
    Senior Member 98TransAmWs-6's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by theorangeguy View Post
    While we are on this subject..........I've got LT's with no cats...I moved to Nashville about 2 months ago and they require a sniffer test. Am I going to have to get a new Y pipe since mine is an ORY? or can a muffler shop make mine work with cats...?

    really not going to like my exhaust with cats on it but I dont have a choice...
    Do they look for cats? With a spot on tune you may not need them if they don't do a visual. I have HF cats and my exhaust still sounds really good but I have the LM1 catback with LTs so that may have something to do with it. Another option is to get two sets of cats, gut one set out and leave the other set alone. This way you can swap to the gutted ones after the emissions test. Or you could buy a catted y pipe and install it for the test but then install the ory afterwards.

  11. #11
    Senior Member theorangeguy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6 View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by theorangeguy View Post
    While we are on this subject..........I've got LT's with no cats...I moved to Nashville about 2 months ago and they require a sniffer test. Am I going to have to get a new Y pipe since mine is an ORY? or can a muffler shop make mine work with cats...?

    really not going to like my exhaust with cats on it but I dont have a choice...
    Do they look for cats? With a spot on tune you may not need them if they don't do a visual. I have HF cats and my exhaust still sounds really good but I have the LM1 catback with LTs so that may have something to do with it. Another option is to get two sets of cats, gut one set out and leave the other set alone. This way you can swap to the gutted ones after the emissions test. Or you could buy a catted y pipe and install it for the test but then install the ory afterwards.
    I'm pretty sure they look for cats...I've got a great tune, but I won't pass a visual. I hate to hack up my ORY so it might be a better option just to get a new catted Y for my LT's. Got any recommendations on a good Y pipe with high flow cats?
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  12. #12
    Senior Member 98TransAmWs-6's Avatar
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    What y pipe do you currently have, like who makes it, they may have a catted version.

  13. #13
    Senior Member theorangeguy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6 View Post
    What y pipe do you currently have, like who makes it, they may have a catted version.
    I couldnt tell you that...it was on the car when I bought it...

  14. #14
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    Chrome Illusion
    2001 Pontiac Trans Am

    Quote Originally Posted by theorangeguy View Post
    I'm pretty sure they look for cats...I've got a great tune, but I won't pass a visual. I hate to hack up my ORY so it might be a better option just to get a new catted Y for my LT's. Got any recommendations on a good Y pipe with high flow cats?

    My silverado had fake cats, they were gutted out and passed visual test. I never knew until I went to replace them do to emissions which turned out to be o2 sensors. They were on it in Cali where I bought the truck.

  15. #15
    Senior Member theorangeguy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tracker View Post
    My silverado had fake cats, they were gutted out and passed visual test. I never knew until I went to replace them do to emissions which turned out to be o2 sensors. They were on it in Cali where I bought the truck.
    wont work on mine...they still have to do a sniffer test. I'll pass a computer test with flying colors, sniffer is the problem...

  16. #16
    Member RONS98TA's Avatar
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    Most 1996 and later model cars only have to pass the emissions computer test. (or at least in MD) They just plug in the harness under the dash and your done. My car has been tuned and all the emission stuff was taken off. I have full exhaust with headers, ory, and no cats. Pretty much if your ses light isnt on, you will pass. Obviously a visual insp wont pass, but my car is lowered 2 inches and has a spot for the factory cats, but has 2 round pipes in that location that look like cats. I've had my set up for over 10 years w/o any issues.

  17. #17
    Senior Member 98TransAmWs-6's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by theorangeguy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6 View Post
    What y pipe do you currently have, like who makes it, they may have a catted version.
    I couldnt tell you that...it was on the car when I bought it...
    In that case how much do you want to spend?

  18. #18
    Spaz is My Mentor SMWS6TA's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by theorangeguy View Post
    I'm pretty sure they look for cats...I've got a great tune, but I won't pass a visual. I hate to hack up my ORY so it might be a better option just to get a new catted Y for my LT's. Got any recommendations on a good Y pipe with high flow cats?



    By this I mean, have a ORY with non CATS for fun and every day driving and have a ORY with CATs for pesty inspections.

    I say this since you're going to have to invest in a CAT ORY, so why not It's what I would do if in your situation.

  19. #19
    Member RONS98TA's Avatar
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    Well it sucks you had to spend all that loot to get your ride fixed, but at least it's fixed now.

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