Is it illegal - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

NJBourne23 · 11-11-2013, 11:38 PM

I was recently told that switching an exhaust to one without cats or mufflers is illegal!?! Is this a PA State Law? If it is illegal, how do most of you out there, that switched to an aftermarket exhaust w/ out cats or mufflers pass inspections?

HawkGirl · 11-12-2013, 12:17 AM

It's state by state...no inspection in Florida! (Although I don't know what to do when I move out of state eventually)

lscamaro · 11-12-2013, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJBourne23

I was recently told that switching an exhaust to one without cats or mufflers is illegal!?! Is this a PA State Law? If it is illegal, how do most of you out there, that switched to an aftermarket exhaust w/ out cats or mufflers pass inspections?

Mufflers is dependent on state. Yes it's illegal to remove cats though. Regardless of state.

NJBourne23 · 11-12-2013, 12:15 PM

So can I still get the sound i want with the M...2.0 exhaust most people are suggesting for the V6? Or is there no point in wasting the money?

lscamaro · 11-12-2013, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJBourne23

So can I still get the sound i want with the M...2.0 exhaust most people are suggesting for the V6? Or is there no point in wasting the money?

How are the laws in your state? What sound do you want? You can still swap in the mrt v2. The only state I think you may get harassed in is california. But don't quote me on that. Having said that, just because its illegal doesn't mean we don't do it

Sikoriko · 11-12-2013, 12:40 PM

Any CHP officer can pull you over and look under your hood if you are on a public road. not too many times that will happen. The smog stations will do a visual and maybe a OBD.

NJBourne23 · 11-12-2013, 02:41 PM

I will have to research a little more for PA's specific laws. Thanks for the help

smokinz · 11-13-2013, 09:56 AM

For cats- In PA, depending what county, you have to pass emissions testing which is done via the OBD connection. There is also a visual inspection done to make sure all emission system are "there". By "there" I mean it is possible to fool them with say a cover from a cat welded in place to make it look like it has one(or hollow a cat out). As long as it is tuned not throw codes or possibly to fool the emissions test, then you should be good.

For muffler- PA law says there has to be a device in place that quiets the exhaust. It does not say how much it has to quiet the exhaust, and this is only visual as well(no testing done for decibel levels).

There is also an exemption for cars that drive less than 5000 miles per year. If you fall into that , then you can take every piece of emissions out you wish and be good!

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/06...bchapctoc.html

Sikoriko · 11-13-2013, 02:30 PM

There is also an exemption for cars that drive less than 5000 miles per year. If you fall into that , then you can take every piece of emissions out you wish and be good!

Thats hard to believe, less than 5K?

strych9 · 11-13-2013, 02:37 PM

Removing any emission-control devices (such as catalytic converters) from a vehicle so-equipped is a federal crime.

See you all in Alcatraz.

Diode Dynamics · 11-13-2013, 02:37 PM

I have all my cars registered in the state of Kansas. No emissions, no testing, nothing.

I've been running long tubes, catless midpipe, and resonator tips for 5 years now and never had an issue.

It really depends on your state

Nick C.

Spartan01 · 11-13-2013, 02:46 PM

You can go with Hi Flow cats that have a non restrictive race design.

Also, in most states, if you fail emissions, you are required to either get the car to pass, or spend a certain amount in the process. for example, in the Peoples Republic of Marylandistan, the figure was $200.
What this means, at least to a race driving enthusiast, is that when you are ordered by the state to do up to $200 in repairs, you can do ANYthing that may help contribute to better emmissions, such as a new set of Granetelli 0 Ohm wires, or a V-Max ported throttle body, and then you can write this amount off on your taxes.

cntryman77 · 11-13-2013, 08:55 PM

short answer, even changing a perfectly working catalytic converter is a federal crime...most times you can get away from it though as most people will tell you...I got pulled over once for a noise violation & considered fighting it, but since I have long tubes & no cats, I decided paying the fine was better than chancing an inspection & worse fines

alv927 · 11-13-2013, 09:00 PM

If you buy exhaust cut outs you'll achieve a great sound and when you need emission testing you'll still have your cats in. "yes" it is illegal if your state has emissions testing.

11-11-2013, 11:38 PM	#1
NJBourne23 Master of Nothings Drives: 2010 Chevy Camaro 2LT/RS Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: PA Posts: 692 View My Garage	Is it illegal I was recently told that switching an exhaust to one without cats or mufflers is illegal!?! Is this a PA State Law? If it is illegal, how do most of you out there, that switched to an aftermarket exhaust w/ out cats or mufflers pass inspections? __________________ 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT/RS

11-12-2013, 12:17 AM	#2
HawkGirl COTW 11/18/2013 Drives: 750-HP ZL1 Carbon Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 333 View My Garage	It's state by state...no inspection in Florida! (Although I don't know what to do when I move out of state eventually) __________________ Build thread :

11-12-2013, 12:15 PM	#4
NJBourne23 Master of Nothings Drives: 2010 Chevy Camaro 2LT/RS Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: PA Posts: 692 View My Garage	So can I still get the sound i want with the M...2.0 exhaust most people are suggesting for the V6? Or is there no point in wasting the money? __________________ 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT/RS

11-12-2013, 02:41 PM	#7
NJBourne23 Master of Nothings Drives: 2010 Chevy Camaro 2LT/RS Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: PA Posts: 692 View My Garage	I will have to research a little more for PA's specific laws. Thanks for the help __________________ 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT/RS

11-13-2013, 02:37 PM	#10
strych9 I'll be back... Drives: Subaru, HD Road Glide Special Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 3,036 View My Garage	Removing any emission-control devices (such as catalytic converters) from a vehicle so-equipped is a federal crime. See you all in Alcatraz. __________________ Bye bye, Bumblebee! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Build Journal My Garage GoPro Mic Hack

11-12-2013, 12:40 PM	#6
Sikoriko Drives: 2011 V6 IOM Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,385 View My Garage	Any CHP officer can pull you over and look under your hood if you are on a public road. not too many times that will happen. The smog stations will do a visual and maybe a OBD.

11-13-2013, 09:56 AM	#8
smokinz Drives: 2010 1lt 1994 z28 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: PA Posts: 17	For cats- In PA, depending what county, you have to pass emissions testing which is done via the OBD connection. There is also a visual inspection done to make sure all emission system are "there". By "there" I mean it is possible to fool them with say a cover from a cat welded in place to make it look like it has one(or hollow a cat out). As long as it is tuned not throw codes or possibly to fool the emissions test, then you should be good. For muffler- PA law says there has to be a device in place that quiets the exhaust. It does not say how much it has to quiet the exhaust, and this is only visual as well(no testing done for decibel levels). There is also an exemption for cars that drive less than 5000 miles per year. If you fall into that , then you can take every piece of emissions out you wish and be good! http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/06...bchapctoc.html

11-13-2013, 02:30 PM	#9
Sikoriko Drives: 2011 V6 IOM Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,385 View My Garage	There is also an exemption for cars that drive less than 5000 miles per year. If you fall into that , then you can take every piece of emissions out you wish and be good! Thats hard to believe, less than 5K?

11-13-2013, 02:37 PM	#11
Diode Dynamics Drives: Camaro Lighting Experts Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,429	I have all my cars registered in the state of Kansas. No emissions, no testing, nothing. I've been running long tubes, catless midpipe, and resonator tips for 5 years now and never had an issue. It really depends on your state Nick C. __________________ John C. Diode Dynamics Follow Us: FB // IG // YT // TikTok

11-13-2013, 02:46 PM	#12
Spartan01 Drives: Evil Eva, 2010 2SS LS3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Falls Church, Virginia Posts: 3,600	You can go with Hi Flow cats that have a non restrictive race design. Also, in most states, if you fail emissions, you are required to either get the car to pass, or spend a certain amount in the process. for example, in the Peoples Republic of Marylandistan, the figure was $200. What this means, at least to a race driving enthusiast, is that when you are ordered by the state to do up to $200 in repairs, you can do ANYthing that may help contribute to better emmissions, such as a new set of Granetelli 0 Ohm wires, or a V-Max ported throttle body, and then you can write this amount off on your taxes. __________________ "You simply cannot trust quotes found on the internet." -Abraham Lincoln

11-13-2013, 08:55 PM	#13
cntryman77 Drives: 2010 Camaro LS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newton Falls, OH Posts: 1,092	short answer, even changing a perfectly working catalytic converter is a federal crime...most times you can get away from it though as most people will tell you...I got pulled over once for a noise violation & considered fighting it, but since I have long tubes & no cats, I decided paying the fine was better than chancing an inspection & worse fines __________________ My build thread: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126631

11-13-2013, 09:00 PM	#14
alv927 Drives: 2013 camaro 2ss/rs dusk edition Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: florida Posts: 446 View My Garage	If you buy exhaust cut outs you'll achieve a great sound and when you need emission testing you'll still have your cats in. "yes" it is illegal if your state has emissions testing.