ORY and CAT question

**theorangeguy** · 07-30-2013, 07:08 AM

So...I recently accepted a new position in Nashville, TN and i'll be moving within the next few weeks...the county's im looking @ moving to all have emissions and im 99.999999999999999999999% they do a sniffer test so my tune is useless...My car has a tune, long tubes, and an ORY with no cats so I know im obviously going to have to add a cat/cats. Can I just take it to a muffler shop and have them throw on a high flow cat or do I need multiple cats? Will I need to change my ORY? Basically im trying to find out what all I need to do to pass the visual test with a mirror and the sniffer...

Thanks in advance...need to get my TA emissions friendly

**98TransAmWs-6** · 07-30-2013, 08:57 AM

Can't imagine TN is any stricter than northern VA. I would think if you have to, throwing on some high flow cats would get you to pass.

**theorangeguy** · 07-30-2013, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

Can't imagine TN is any stricter than northern VA. I would think if you have to, throwing on some high flow cats would get you to pass.

Would I just need one somewhere after the ORY or more than one?

***SMWS6TA*** · 07-30-2013, 09:36 AM

call a shop in the area you plan on living in and ask. I don't remember TN having a sniffer test when I lived there. That may have changed in the last few years.

**theorangeguy** · 07-30-2013, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

call a shop in the area you plan on living in and ask. I don't remember TN having a sniffer test when I lived there. That may have changed in the last few years.

My parents live up there and im pretty sure they did on on my dad's 300c when he went. I'll call and ask, but I was curious how many you guys might think I would need to get it to pass a sniffer.

**98TransAmWs-6** · 07-30-2013, 10:39 AM

I would do one after each header.

**raynor139** · 07-30-2013, 04:03 PM

One after each header. As close to stock location you can get. If they do visual they will fail you if its not the same set up as stock.

**Firebirdjones** · 07-30-2013, 04:20 PM

States vary as to the degree of testing and requirements.

California for instance, requires the cats to be in the stock location when they perform the visual, doesn't matter if it passes the sniffer. So long tube headers are out of the question there.

If Tennessee is that picky, then you have a real problem. If they just want functioning cats however (which makes logical sense) then I would personally buy a complete Y-pipe setup with cats and install it. That's the easiest route that doesn't require a trip to a muffler shop. Then you could always switch back to the off road setup if you wish.

As far as the sniffer goes, not sure if cats alone will pass you if your tune has been tinkered with. I'd try the test with cats and see how it goes. If it still fails a sniffer, then you might need some tweaking in the tune.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 07-30-2013, 07:14 PM

Another note: a lot of exhaust shops won't even touch a car without cats as it's against the law to run as such and the shop can be fined. Putting cats on may be a different story though.

**theorangeguy** · 07-31-2013, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

Another note: a lot of exhaust shops won't even touch a car without cats as it's against the law to run as such and the shop can be fined. Putting cats on may be a different story though.

I would think/hope the fact that im moving into the state would allow them to work on it...if worse comes to worse, i'll put a new Y on it with high flow cats and run some of that "guaranteed to pass" stuff through it before I go. I've never lived somewhere that emissions were an issues until now...it sucks

**theorangeguy** · 07-31-2013, 04:47 AM

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

States vary as to the degree of testing and requirements.

California for instance, requires the cats to be in the stock location when they perform the visual, doesn't matter if it passes the sniffer. So long tube headers are out of the question there.

If Tennessee is that picky, then you have a real problem. If they just want functioning cats however (which makes logical sense) then I would personally buy a complete Y-pipe setup with cats and install it. That's the easiest route that doesn't require a trip to a muffler shop. Then you could always switch back to the off road setup if you wish.

As far as the sniffer goes, not sure if cats alone will pass you if your tune has been tinkered with. I'd try the test with cats and see how it goes. If it still fails a sniffer, then you might need some tweaking in the tune.

can you explain the tune piece of your comment...? I was under the impression that the fact that the rear O2's were deleted and that the PCM was tuned helped pass emissions

or is that only for an emissions test where they plug into the PCM with no sniffer?

**Firebirdjones** · 07-31-2013, 05:13 AM

Originally Posted by theorangeguy

can you explain the tune piece of your comment...? I was under the impression that the fact that the rear O2's were deleted and that the PCM was tuned helped pass emissions

or is that only for an emissions test where they plug into the PCM with no sniffer?

I say that because I don't know to what extent your tune has been fiddled with. SD or MAF? Or how rich or lean it's running? Wideband used? Etc etc.... Alot of variables can affect the carbon footprint that even cat converters won't cure if it's too far in one direction. Toss a camshaft with alot of overlap in the mix and it opens another can of worms.

If it's a good tune with spot on AFR's, then simply installing new cats will probably get you through the sniffer. If not, (depending on what the readings are) then it might be necessary to go back in the tune and touch up.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 07-31-2013, 09:51 AM

Having no cats or relocated cats applies to every state as being illegal I'm fairly certain. It's only due to stricter emission regulations in some states that give them the chance to find it....since they actually look for it. For example, Indiana has no visual inspection so you can get away with running no catalytic converters. This doesn't make it legal though. This is why shops steer away from exhaust work on cars without them.

**Firebirdjones** · 07-31-2013, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

Having no cats or relocated cats applies to every state as being illegal I'm fairly certain. It's only due to stricter emission regulations in some states that give them the chance to find it....since they actually look for it. For example, Indiana has no visual inspection so you can get away with running no catalytic converters. This doesn't make it legal though. This is why shops steer away from exhaust work on cars without them.

Yes, tampering with any emissions device is illegal. Removing the cats completely is a no-no everywhere, but there are a few states that allow them to be moved further downstream (aka long tube headers) I know Ohio was one of these states back when Clermont and Hamilton counties were testing. Years later testing was dropped completely.
Most other states, not so lucky. Alot of the Eastern sea board is pretty ridiculous, as well as some Western states.

**bad idea** · 08-02-2013, 04:46 AM

Go on the state's website and read their laws on emissions testing. Contact the county directly. Before you do any work to the car, or spend any money, see what you NEED to do. You may find you need to go back to manifolds with the cats bolted to them. You may find your current setup will sneak by.