I have been reading allot of posts about removing their CATS from their exhaust...

You can not pass inspection and a fine of $2,000 in Texas if you a caught doing this.

Is it that the car is exempt after a certain number of years ?

I have a 1987 F-150 can I remove the CATS and SMOG system ?

Thanks.

 

I doubt it! Most states follow the federal guidelines, although they leave a lot open also. But, removing cats is very obvious and I doubt that you will pass inspection without them. There are states like Iowa and South Dakota that do not even do smog inspections and you could then remove the equipment (but still not legally). Another problem you run into is that your engine computer is setup to keep your engine in tune with the smog components. You really need to study what you are doing when removing smog equipment to ensure that you aren't messing up your computer. The fed specs are so stringent that you are not even supposed to replace your cats without a written document stating that your cat needed replacing and then it is supposed to be replaced with original parts and in the original location. Anyway, mostly it depends on what your state inspectors let you get by with.

Slik

 

Well, WI doesn't do visuals so if it passes without cats they wil never know, I removed the cats from a few of my cars and I know some other people who also did. One guy has a '81 with a 302, the truck use to pass "just barely" we did a new exhaust system, and never put a cat on-now it passes with FLYING COLORS. My '86 Maustang also passes fine without any cat. but don't tell any one.....

 

Kansas also doesnt have smog tests. I bought my 89 and the previous owner removed the cats and placed true duals. Other than sound, I can't tell a big difference in power. Someone told me that you only gain 4-5 hp by removing a cat.

 

Well WI does do testing, but only the sniffer test, they don't look to see if the stuff is there.

I don't know about 4 or 5 hp, my Mustang really woke up, I have alot of mods and that one made the biggest difference! Although some good High flow cats might not hurt to much. But some cars (that '81 F-150 for example) pass CLEANER with put the cats!!! If the engine is running good (correct air fuel ratio and good spark)-it WILL pass the smiffer test without a cat.

 

Some counties in Tennessee have the smog tests. I unfortunately live in one. We do a visual as well as a sniffer. Stiff fines if you remove your Cat.
Several have taken the Cat off and had it emptied and reinstalled. Looks good to the inspector. Seems like a lot of trouble to me. I have an '87 300-six. I have all kinds of trouble passing. Usually have to do a lot of tinkering to pass.

 

Just wanted to ask the question; Has anyone on this list been fined for removing cats or do they know of anyone who has been fined?

Slik

 

Here we go again, the cat issue, California being the strickest of all states to enforce this issue. There has been several shops in our area that have been fined for removing cats. You can contact the Bureal of Automive Repair in California and they will be glad to give you a list of shops that have been fined.

Passing a state inspection, depends on what kind of inspection you have. In Califorina they had so many problems with the state inspections, that they changed the type of inspection. You now have to put a car on a dyno and measure the exhaust while the car is under a load. NO longer the idle test here. They do a full inspection if any thing is missing, disconected, or tampered with, they will not pass it even if the exhaust meaused is up to code. California being the damm leader in this, look for other states to do what is done here. Mainly areas that have smog problems, large cities, etc.

Though most cars if there is any type of abnormal restriction in the cat, will run better if removed, but a clean cat, with a properly working motor will run the same, with cleaner exhaust.

The only function of the cat is to convert unburned fuel, ( about 30% goes out the exhaust unburned, which is the pollution) in clean exhaust. If the motor could burn all of the fuel, it would both be clean and effincent. But as of now they are not.

Dave

<a href="http://members.aol.com/deleontow/auto/index.htm">http://members.aol.com/deleontow/auto/index.htm</a>

 

Here in PA they are talking about this again, the cut-off that they are proposing is 20 years and older(sigh of relief!!!), I think CA goes back alot farther than this though-just depends on the state. If they decide to go back any farther than this I'm screwed unless I get "classic" tags-here it's one inspection for life with these tags, but the restrictions are heavy on how often you can use the vehical, but, only if you get caught! They are also proposing this inspection every two years(we have yearly "safety" inspection). Call your congressman and express your concerns many times, also helps to remind them that the ones this really hurts are the single parents barely gettin' by now who have to spend 475$ till they get an "exemption"-vehical is barely worth that, throw away vehicals? Just don't seem fair. Chuck P.