NOVA emissions exhaust question - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

damaster32 · 02-04-2014, 03:21 PM

Hey guys,

I have a question. For emissions testing in NOVA which exhaust setup should I do if I want to pass. One of the CATs as to be visible right?

Option 1: catless headers with Catted frontpipe

Option 2: Catted headers with catless frontpipe

Question is would both setups work for emissions or do both header and frontpipe Cats have to be visible? I'm trying to figure out the exhaust setup I'm trying to buy.

Thanks

v1ru5 · 02-04-2014, 03:31 PM

Option 1 might be safe if you have a tune

sshole · 02-04-2014, 03:38 PM

If it's not a visual inspection of the emissions system, you have nothing to worry about as long as your ECU hasn't stored/thrown a code for broken catalytic converter.

If it's a visual inspection, you are breaking federal law and you are going to pound-me-in-the-ass jail.

camelflage · 02-04-2014, 05:13 PM

as above, depends on if the inspector wants to do the visual look. i had no cats on my is300 with an o2sim wired in and passed emissions every time. either way, if you throw a code, its no bueno.

sshole · 02-04-2014, 05:16 PM

Just FYI, my info may be outdated since I moved out of NOVA a few years ago. I now live in an area of VA that does not require emissions inspection, so I can run cat-free and VA can't do a damn thing about it.

The police, on the other hand, can send me to jail. Because tampering with emissions devices is still a federal crime.

swift996 · 02-04-2014, 08:13 PM

The cat on the header is primary cat. It also works with the O2 sensors/ECU. I think option 2 is safer but as long as you have one cat you should be alright. A front pipe is easy to swap too.

Do they read what is coming out of the tail pipe in NOVA?

sshole · 02-05-2014, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swift996

The cat on the header is primary cat. It also works with the O2 sensors/ECU. I think option 2 is safer but as long as you have one cat you should be alright. A front pipe is easy to swap too.

Do they read what is coming out of the tail pipe in NOVA?

AFAIK, sniffer tests are only used on OBD-I cars. OBD-II cars (anything manufactured after 1996) will use an ECU readiness check.

02-04-2014, 03:21 PM	#1
damaster32 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Drives: 2014 BRZ Limited Location: Fairfax Posts: 187 Thanks: 0 Thanked 44 Times in 26 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	NOVA emissions exhaust question Hey guys, I have a question. For emissions testing in NOVA which exhaust setup should I do if I want to pass. One of the CATs as to be visible right? Option 1: catless headers with Catted frontpipe Option 2: Catted headers with catless frontpipe Question is would both setups work for emissions or do both header and frontpipe Cats have to be visible? I'm trying to figure out the exhaust setup I'm trying to buy. Thanks

02-04-2014, 08:13 PM	#6
swift996 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: Subaru BRZ Limited 6MT Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 2,432 Thanks: 712 Thanked 955 Times in 545 Posts Mentioned: 47 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The cat on the header is primary cat. It also works with the O2 sensors/ECU. I think option 2 is safer but as long as you have one cat you should be alright. A front pipe is easy to swap too. Do they read what is coming out of the tail pipe in NOVA? __________________ Innovate Supercharged Black Limited BRZ 6-Speed MT(Build Thread) 2010 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan M6 w/550whp (Build Thread)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FS - (NoVA) OEM Exhaust Parts (Over Pipe, Front Pipe)	swift996	Engine, Exhaust, Bolt-Ons	5	05-05-2014 09:03 AM
Question regarding emissions.	Fourskim	Northwest	7	06-30-2013 05:23 PM
Emissions question with a ecu flash	sw20kosh	Engine, Exhaust, Transmission	2	04-08-2013 02:11 AM
Custom Exhaust in MD, NOVA, and DC	WorldRallyBlueBRZ	Mid-Atlantic	13	11-09-2012 01:24 PM
Question about smog checks/emissions	showbe	Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 GT86 General Forum	3	09-28-2012 01:03 AM

02-04-2014, 03:31 PM	#2
v1ru5 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: BRZ D4S 6MT L Vortech Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 387 Thanks: 168 Thanked 152 Times in 108 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Option 1 might be safe if you have a tune

02-04-2014, 03:38 PM	#3
sshole Banned Join Date: Jan 2014 Drives: BRZ Location: VA Posts: 594 Thanks: 201 Thanked 389 Times in 195 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If it's not a visual inspection of the emissions system, you have nothing to worry about as long as your ECU hasn't stored/thrown a code for broken catalytic converter. If it's a visual inspection, you are breaking federal law and you are going to pound-me-in-the-ass jail.

02-04-2014, 05:13 PM	#4
camelflage Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: pinto power Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 709 Thanks: 76 Thanked 192 Times in 136 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	as above, depends on if the inspector wants to do the visual look. i had no cats on my is300 with an o2sim wired in and passed emissions every time. either way, if you throw a code, its no bueno.

02-04-2014, 05:16 PM	#5
sshole Banned Join Date: Jan 2014 Drives: BRZ Location: VA Posts: 594 Thanks: 201 Thanked 389 Times in 195 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Just FYI, my info may be outdated since I moved out of NOVA a few years ago. I now live in an area of VA that does not require emissions inspection, so I can run cat-free and VA can't do a damn thing about it. The police, on the other hand, can send me to jail. Because tampering with emissions devices is still a federal crime.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password