Passing inspection without cats..

[Forty61]

Yes I know it’s been talked about, yes I’ve searched (multiple forums) and yes I’ve read a lot of threads.. here’s the condensed version of my situation:

Had headers, catless X, cams installed. Guy who installed helped me on the inspection at the time since it was in the shop when it was due. Now it’s due again. I show no CEL but failed on catalyst, O2 sensor and O2 sensor heater. I have been looking at the non-fouler trick and the consensus is..vague.

I’m getting confirmation on what’s turned on/off in my tune and I’m going to pick up some cheap non-foulers to give it a shot. Anyone have experience of making it work and pass inspection in Texas? What setup did you use? I sure would like to drive my car.

 

[Macman45]

Get those little non fowlers that have some platinum inside, BOSS had a post about it. That should help you pass everything.

 

[sman247]

I used to have the same issue in MA. Turns out my o2 sensors were off in the tune and I would bet money that’s the issue your having. If you have a 93 octane tune from bama they shut it off by default unless you specify to leave them turned on. Should be easy to figure out, gluck

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

If the 02 sensors are turned off in the tune as stated above? then yes, your vehicle will most definitely fail emissions due to not able to read the rear 02 sensors, sensor heaters, and catalyst. Therefore have your tuning specialist make a revised tune to upload into your programmer with the rear 02 sensors turned on. Chances are you'll also have to put the stock catted H back on in order to pass emissions or try the non-foulers as mentioned. You could also look into checking with your state's DMV to inquire as to whether or not they have an emissions exemption law? Here in PA, if you put under 5000 miles per year on your vehicle, you would qualify under the PA state emissions exemption law in which allows you to bypass the OBDII emissions inspection test. At any rate, that might be an option worth looking into as well

 

[Pentalab]

This is the outfit that sells em. http://www.bigdaddiesgarage.com/

This is the mini cat..for folks that don't have cats. http://www.bigdaddiesgarage.com/mini-cat-cel-fix.html

Here is the right angle SS fitting, which makes life easier in some cases. This right angle piece swivels of course..and could probably be used with the above mini cat. http://www.bigdaddiesgarage.com/angled-cel-fix.html

The OP stated he has a catless X. Even with rear O2 sensors turned on, it will still fail, since he has no cats..... hence the mini cats.

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

I also stated for the OP that he would be required to re-install his stock catted H in order to pass OBDII emissions testing along with having the rear 02 sensors turned on in the tune providing, of course, that he still has the stock catted H somewhere in either his basement or garage. Otherwise, if he doesn't? then, by all means, try the non-fouler/mini cats as an option instead! However certain states do have a visual inspection law in place for which they can technically fail the vehicle in question if any portion of the factory catalyst system has been removed.

 

[Pentalab]

I also stated for the OP that he would be required to re-install his stock catted H in order to pass OBDII emissions testing along with having the rear 02 sensors turned on in the tune providing, of course, that he still has the stock catted H somewhere in either his basement or garage. Otherwise, if he doesn't? then, by all means, try the non-fouler/mini cats as an option instead!

Point well taken, but that's a major pita / just to pass an inspection...then turn around, and rip it all out.
The anti foulers won't work without cats, either oem cats, or in my case, high flow catted H. Even with anti foulers installed, it still trips once in a while. Typ 2 foulers in series are required. With no cats at all, u only have one option, a right angle anti fouler....and a mini cat. That or re-install the oem catted H. I hate working on exhaust stuff, so would not relish the thought of re-installing the oem catted H.

Ok, just saw he has headers. IF they are LT's like mine, then there is no way to re-install the oem catted H, unless the LT's are also removed. My high flow cats reside below the front seats, just aft of the collectors.

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

I understand exactly where you're coming from and agree that it's a huge pita to rip everything out to put back to stock just in order to pass a lousy emissions test, but as mentioned, certain inspection stations can technically fail a vehicle for removal of any portion of the factory catalyst system at their discretion that falls under the visual inspection category of the federal emission requirement laws. Not saying that all do, but if the inspector in question turns out to be a total asshole? then, yes the inspection station can fail the vehicle under the visual inspection category. Hopefully for the OP's sake, along with yours and mine? we're fortunate enough to have good working relationships with our state inspection shops. Like yourself, I also hate working on exhaust stuff as in having to uninstall everything by going back and forth from OEM stock just to pass emissions testing. At any rate, that's all I was attempting to point out lol.

 

[Forty61]

I also stated for the OP that he would be required to re-install his stock catted H in order to pass OBDII emissions testing along with having the rear 02 sensors turned on in the tune providing, of course, that he still has the stock catted H somewhere in either his basement or garage. Otherwise, if he doesn't? then, by all means, try the non-fouler/mini cats as an option instead! However certain states do have a visual inspection law in place for which they can technically fail the vehicle in question if any portion of the factory catalyst system has been removed.

Point well taken, but that's a major pita / just to pass an inspection...then turn around, and rip it all out.
The anti foulers won't work without cats, either oem cats, or in my case, high flow catted H. Even with anti foulers installed, it still trips once in a while. Typ 2 foulers in series are required. With no cats at all, u only have one option, a right angle anti fouler....and a mini cat. That or re-install the oem catted H. I hate working on exhaust stuff, so would not relish the thought of re-installing the oem catted H.

Ok, just saw he has headers. IF they are LT's like mine, then there is no way to re-install the oem catted H, unless the LT's are also removed. My high flow cats reside below the front seats, just aft of the collectors.

Thanks for the info guys. I don’t have my factory mid-pipe any more and the headers wouldn’t allow install anyway. I have a good relationship with a couple of inspection places so no big deal there, it’s just the OBD part of it that’s a problem. I’ll be picking up some non-foulers and confirming the tune in the next few days so wish me luck!

 

[sman247]

I don’t know how Texas does it but as long as they don’t do a visual test by looking under the car to make sure the cats are still there then a revised tune is all you need

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

Thanks for the info guys. I don’t have my factory mid-pipe any more and the headers wouldn’t allow install anyway. I have a good relationship with a couple of inspection places so no big deal there, it’s just the OBD part of it that’s a problem. I’ll be picking up some non-foulers and confirming the tune in the next few days so wish me luck!

Good to know that you have a good relationship with some inspection places in Texas. As for the OBDII part of it goes, that's pretty much going to be most of the problem for sure. Knowing that going back to the factory mid-pipe is now definitely out of the question, you're only options for passing the OBD emissions test is rolling the dice with the non-foulers/mini cats that Pentalab suggested in his posts along with getting a revised tune from your tuning shop that has the rear 02 sensors turned on for the mini cats/non-foulers, otherwise if the rear 02's are turned off? you're going to end up failing the OBDII test all over again. In the meantime, here's wishing the very best of luck and hope those mini cats/non-foulers work out for you

I don’t know how Texas does it but as long as they don’t do a visual test by looking under the car to make sure the cats are still there then a revised tune is all you need

That's pretty much what I posted as well lol.

 

[08Bullitt_0067]

Thanks for the info guys. I don’t have my factory mid-pipe any more and the headers wouldn’t allow install anyway. I have a good relationship with a couple of inspection places so no big deal there, it’s just the OBD part of it that’s a problem. I’ll be picking up some non-foulers and confirming the tune in the next few days so wish me luck!

where in TX are you? I just moved down here (Plano) from IL in August. I passed inspection with no cats and LTs. No visual inspection only ODBII, just like IL. It can be managed in the tune.

 

[Forty61]

where in TX are you? I just moved down here (Plano) from IL in August. I passed inspection with no cats and LTs. No visual inspection only ODBII, just like IL. It can be managed in the tune.

I’m in McKinney so local. I’m getting my tune updated this week and I snagged the non foulers this afternoon. This weekend I’m hoping to have time to get everything updated and see how we go!

 

[Pentalab]

where in TX are you? I just moved down here (Plano) from IL in August. I passed inspection with no cats and LTs. No visual inspection only ODBII, just like IL. It can be managed in the tune.

How can you pass the ODBII tests....with no cats ?? The only way that could work, is if the rear O2 sensors are shut off. It will fail with rear O2 sensors shut off. The only fix is right angle anti foulers, then the mini cats, then the oem rear O2 sensors....all 3 of those items are nose to tail. Then rear O2 sensors turned back on.

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

How can you pass the ODBII tests....with no cats ?? The only way that could work, is if the rear O2 sensors are shut off. It will fail with rear O2 sensors shut off. The only fix is right angle anti foulers, then the mini cats, then the oem rear O2 sensors....all 3 of those items are nose to tail. Then rear O2 sensors turned back on.

I'd also like a response from 08Bullitt_0067 about this as well. As I just don't see how he's able to pass the OBDII tests with no cats?? Just what exactly is he referring to when he mentions only OBDII, just like IL. it can be managed in the tune

 

[08Bullitt_0067]

How can you pass the ODBII tests....with no cats ?? The only way that could work, is if the rear O2 sensors are shut off. It will fail with rear O2 sensors shut off. The only fix is right angle anti foulers, then the mini cats, then the oem rear O2 sensors....all 3 of those items are nose to tail. Then rear O2 sensors turned back on.

I'd also like a response from 08Bullitt_0067 about this as well. As I just don't see how he's able to pass the OBDII tests with no cats?? Just what exactly is he referring to when he mentions only OBDII, just like IL. it can be managed in the tune

I would pass without the rear sensors even hooked up, just had the sensors screwed into the bungs. there was a huge thread a while back about emissions. good info in there from what i remember. And yes, it's in the tune. talk to a some tuners for more info. I think there are some that still participate on this forum....

 

[702GT]

I had a smog tune on my car that was the same. Didn't need to have cats or downstreams to pass. And it passed every time. My tuner told to be careful where I smogged the car. Some smog machines are dumb. Some smog machines are newer/smarter. I know it has something to do telling the ECU what to tell the smog machine it is equiped with for testing, beyond that I know it's deeper than just checking a box to turn sensors on or off. All he would tell me as far as what he did was that my car was no longer required to test for catalyst. I can only interpret that he modified the emissions equipment or emissions testing program built into the base ECU file. It was nice to have, but it gave me a bad feeling every time I used it. Prior to that, I was just swapping out the O/R midpipe to a HF catted midpipe every year. 10 minute job, wasn't a big deal. Did it a few weeks in advance to give readiness a chance to give the green light.

 

[Juice]

To pass obd scan, your "Emissions Monitors" must be "Completed" status. And ofcourse, check engine light must be off. You have 8 emission monitors. Some tuners turn off the rear O2s, and some also disable the cat, and rear O2 monitors.

To pass, you may or may not allowed to have One monitor incomplete, which you will have Three incomplete if only the sensors are turned off.

Now, if the monitors themselves are turned off, you will only have 5 monitors and they will "complete" This would pass until the state added checking the number of monitors. This is where a newer emission machine would fail a car with only 5 monitors, as it should have 8.

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

To pass obd scan, your "Emissions Monitors" must be "Completed" status. And ofcourse, check engine light must be off. You have 8 emission monitors. Some tuners turn off the rear O2s, and some also disable the cat, and rear O2 monitors.

To pass, you may or may not allowed to have One monitor incomplete, which you will have Three incomplete if only the sensors are turned off.

Now, if the monitors themselves are turned off, you will only have 5 monitors and they will "complete" This would pass until the state added checking the number of monitors. This is where a newer emission machine would fail a car with only 5 monitors, as it should have 8.

Thanks for your response, as you've provided some very valuable info which appears to make the most logical sense in regards to passing the OBDII scan. My question, however, is this. How would the tuning vendor go about disabling the catalyst (cats) along with turning off the rear 02 monitors? It was my understanding that if the rear 02 sensors are turned off in the tune, this would also include the rear 02 monitors as well? But apparently, this would appear to not be accurate, as turning off just the rear 02's themselves does not turn off the rear 02 monitors. Another concern is locating a tuning vendor who not only has the software knowledge but would also be willing to disable/turn off the catalyst and rear 02 monitors. The reason? Thanks to the EPA police cracking down, it's becoming more and more difficult to find a tuning vendor who's even willing to turn off just the rear 02 sensors in their calibration tunes. Tuning vendors such as VMP and AM/BAMA no longer turn off the rear 02 sensors in their tunes thanks to the EPA putting pressure on the performance industry. Therefore it's only going to be a matter of time before other tuning vendors follow suit as well IMHO. Another example is, as more and more states add newer emission machines as you also brought up, it's going to be even more difficult for those running O/R applications to pass the state OBDII emission inspection

 

[Juice]

Simply turning off the rear O2 sensors ONLY, you can run without cats and get NO CEL. But it will keep the catylist, rear O2, and rear O2 monitors from "completing". All 8 monitors are still present, and those 3 will remain "Incomplete" = Fail.

You disable the monitors in a different section in the tune. I have a tune that has ONLY 3 monitors showing up if you scan for OBD readiness. I got it from my tuner a week before the change went into effect with the software.

Now for the bad news regarding SCT. As of Jan 1st, all SCT dealers were forced to update their software, and if they didn't, the software stopped working. And I believe that the new software, the ability to turn off the rear O2 sensors or any other emission component in the tune has been removed. (the result of the lawsuit/fine) And now SCT is EPA legal to modify cars, but cannot disable emission equipment.

Another issue with SCT is the software cannot "pull your tune" from the device. So for minor updates like turning on rear O2, you need to go to the tuner who tuned the car, since he has the tune on his computer. Only he can make those minor changes without needing to write a new tune from scratch.