aftermarket catalytic converter that will pass smog in CA

[bluntz86]

Hello all.

Im not trying to start exhaust system thread. It more or less about what aftermarket catalytic converter will pass CA smog. I currently have a stock system. Reason for the question is because it turns out one of the cats is plugged and i need to replace. The OEM cat is around $1300 for 1! Thats crazy. I would like a full system and i have an idea of the one i want but thats a mod for later down the road. Any suggestions or comments would be great!! This has been the issue of my misfires!

[bluntz86]

I saw the JHM B6/B7 S4 "piggies". Anyone familiar with these?

[Wagonholic]

I'm from the B5 section, but I can provide relevant help regarding your question.

Unless you have a California Legal Cat (CARB Number stamped on the actual cat), you will fail visual as all aftermarket parts on CA cars must be CARB approved.

With that being said, here is what you can do...
-Piggies are just OEM downpipes with the pre-cats gutted. Because they visually look and are oem parts, you will be able to pass visual easily. You'll just need to pass the sniffer test (more on that below)
-You can purchase CARB legal aftermarket cats (Magnaflow makes several). They cost $200-$500 each versus the 49-state legal cats which are as low as $50

I have high-flow cats on my Stage 3 S4, yet I passed smog easily. Although they are not CARB legal cats, my car was too low that they could not visually check the cats lol. In addition, I got the cats super hot (like red hot) by doing some hard driving and WOT pulls right before going in for the test. Cats work best when they're hot.

Really, there are no ways around catalytic converters in CA, but if you're smart you can get around the rules. PM me for more info

Hello all.

Im not trying to start exhaust system thread. It more or less about what aftermarket catalytic converter will pass CA smog. I currently have a stock system. Reason for the question is because it turns out one of the cats is plugged and i need to replace. The OEM cat is around $1300 for 1! Thats crazy. I would like a full system and i have an idea of the one i want but thats a mod for later down the road. Any suggestions or comments would be great!! This has been the issue of my misfires!

[empyrestate]

there are no aftermarket catalytic converters that meet California/ new York emission standards (I know because I live in new York). even if you could somehow get a company to ship one to you it wouldn't work because the parameters are different for federal and CARB compliant models. you would have a check engine light on and would fail an inspection. one way to cheat it is to put in an aftermarket high flow cat (both sides would be the best bet) and use an adapter on both bank 2 sensors. the only tricky part is that you would have to go to a place that doesn't really do visual inspections, but you would still pass based on the OBDII readings.http://www.amazon.com/Degree-Angled-...Y7HDRFPFFY0Y1P

[WolfS4]

Might be easier to just buy a set of used for a couple hundred bucks. Plenty of people parting out S4's or switched to aftermarket and looking to make a couple hundred off their old stock.

[bluntz86]

I saw that JHM sells them for under $350 shipped.

[TRIP]

I wonder if piggies pass smog ?

[bluntz86]

according to there website is states that it has been know to pass. They are being politically correct. Id rather start there first then spend $1300 for 1.