Another CA SMOG issue
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Elder User
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From: El Dorado Co., CA.
Another CA SMOG issue
I was having a power issue on my '99 E150 last year and ended up cleaning out my CAT. Well, that was not the issue and in less than a year, i'll need to put another one in to pass CA smog. Since I don't want to fork over $2333 bucks to my local dealer, i'm looking for options. My thought is to order an OEM replacement Cat that is not CA legal and install it anyway. My question is: what is the likelyhood a smog tech will look or care that the cat is new? In my county, they don't put vehicles on a Dyno, so i doubt any tech will be crawling under there. What do you guys think? Pay the 2300 bucks or get one for 300 and risk it?
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They stick a probe in the tail pipe so if the bootleg cat is no good they will know and fail it. I got a 3" replacement system from Magnaflow new from the exhaust manifold to the tail pipe plus the cat for under 400$ and it's CA legal.
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Elder User
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From: El Dorado Co., CA.
If you have more info or part numbers, i'd be happy to get them.
thanks
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From: El Dorado Co., CA.
I talked to my friend/mechanic and he told me the same thing. He said most smog guys do the bare minimum and wont crawl under a vehicle if they don't have to. I think i'll get a 49 state Cat soon and get it on to allow a nice layer of rust to cover it in case it does get looked at. lol
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the car my Chateau tows runs about 85 dbs at idle and 110 plus at full throttle. I've never been hassled (but some friends have). They really need a reason to look and an Econoline is one of the last they'd look at.
Before you spend $300 for a new aftermarket cat, check some of the local wrecking yards. I'll bet you can find a good condition from the many wrecks out there for $50.00 good luck, Mike
Before you spend $300 for a new aftermarket cat, check some of the local wrecking yards. I'll bet you can find a good condition from the many wrecks out there for $50.00 good luck, Mike
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Mines a 4.9
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the car my Chateau tows runs about 85 dbs at idle and 110 plus at full throttle. I've never been hassled (but some friends have). They really need a reason to look and an Econoline is one of the last they'd look at.
Before you spend $300 for a new aftermarket cat, check some of the local wrecking yards. I'll bet you can find a good condition from the many wrecks out there for $50.00 good luck, Mike
Before you spend $300 for a new aftermarket cat, check some of the local wrecking yards. I'll bet you can find a good condition from the many wrecks out there for $50.00 good luck, Mike
However a proper used one installed correctly would probably work, how would they know? Maybe someone out of state is selling or you could get one from AZ or NV.
