Failed NJ Inspections with 034 downpipe + 02 spacer

[fawaudi]

Hello All,

Just wanted to share my NJ car inspection experiences, this is probably no news to some of you.

My B7 is running APR stage I + 034 downpipe + 02 spacer + Milltek setup. Took my car in for inspection last week. The inspector A who helped and passed my car two years ago directed my car into the station, briefly greeted and said to me that he is going on a break but will have inspector B to take care of the inspection. The inspector B got in my car, passed through the camera thingy to see underneath the car, then popped the hood, got out with a flashlight, and looked right into the 034 downpipe. He then called over another inspector C over and kept saying to him that's a high flow, that's a high flow he repeats, but inspector C didn't really care or know what inspector B was talking about. But I was like WTF? That was the first time ever someone looks under the hood since I got the downpipe installed 4 years ago, passed two inspections without any issues. Anyway, inspector B somewhat knowledgeable with how the o2 spacer works and asked me if the spacer is used to eliminate the engine code, I replied, this is the first time ever someone would actually look under the hood and I said my mechanic installed the exhaust system for me and I don't know much about cars. He then pulled up to the counter where they print out the inspection report and LIED to me that he will see what the OBD2 diagnostic says, if it will pass the inspection or not, then few seconds later, he handed me the report and asked me to remove the spacer and come back for re inspection. I asked, so the OBD is giving you a code? He LIED again "yes". I was like F**K!! This is my lucky day running into an a$$hole! I looked at the report, all checked out "ready". He visually inspected my car and failed it manually and he also quoted "bung spacer installed on downstream sensor". None of that BS he was referring to being an engine code. He was just being a smart a$$ to whole entire inspection. I was so pissed!

So what's next? I called up two shops asking what can I do about the downpipe and the spacer, since I don't have the OEM anymore. Well, basically both shops recommended me to get an OEM cat which shop 1 wants over $1000 installed (new). But shop 2 I spoke to recommended me to try and take the car to a different station and have it re inspected first, shop 2 said they can't fail me because I do have a catalytic converter. But again, worst case I would just have to find an OEM cat.

Today, I just got back from a different station. I pulled in the car today the inspector D saw the rejected sticker and asked me why. Well, I played stupid and said I don't know, I had my mechanic looked at the car and he said it was fine. So then inspector proceeded the inspection, never opened up the hood. Next thing you noticed the car passed the inspection.

Anyway, I wish all of you who is running similar setups get pass the inspector smoothly. Hope you all won't run into some a$$hole like in my case.

Best of luck!

[vce1232000]

I passed my NJDMV inspection twice already like you. Never once did they pop open the hood to . I have a APR test pipe and fail 1 of the readiness test all the time.

[djibouti99]

I passed NJDMV twice with a JHM HFC that has the spacer already built in. Both times they scanned the bottom of the car and popped the hood to look at the cat when they noticed it was aftermarket exhaust. First time they didn't say anything. Second time they asked me if I had aftermarket cat, not HFC, but just aftermarket. I said yes. They did there thing and passed me.

[fawaudi]

I passed NJDMV twice with a JHM HFC that has the spacer already built in. Both times they scanned the bottom of the car and popped the hood to look at the cat when they noticed it was aftermarket exhaust. First time they didn't say anything. Second time they asked me if I had aftermarket cat, not HFC, but just aftermarket. I said yes. They did there thing and passed me.

Is the built in spacer hidden on your JHM HFC? Mine is pretty obvious if you look.

Aftermarket catalytic converter, that is what I was planning to say if the second inspection gone wrong.

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

Passed 3 times in NJ with a 034 cat and Revo tune. They popped my hood one time...

[fawaudi]

Passed 3 times in NJ with a 034 cat and Revo tune. They popped my hood one time...

Got my 034 cat and spacer from you guys. LOL. Good services, thank you!!

[djibouti99]

Yeah, you can definitely see the spacer on the JHM HFC. I guess since all the readiness codes passed, they didn't care. Sounds like the inspector was going by the book. Some seem to not care as much.

[kp^]

That some crazy DEQ process in NJ... I had a similar issue with my 034M HFC, short story I had to get it replaced.

Here in Oregon they just plug in the ODB scanner, check for errors, and an CEL. Mine had a CEL with error code P0420 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1. DEQ would not let me pass, so I had to get that taken care of.

I had a local performance shop install a new cat (in sig) and error went away and I was able to pass DEQ. I still have the 034M HFC, so I'm not sure if there is a way to test if its bad or not. Shop basically said it was bad...

Good luck!

[ESadowski72]

In ohio we have a DIY station right outside of the BMV. You just pull up and plug in to your obd and it prints out your results. No inspection needed. I passed with JHM ko4. Always pulled in and got my car inspected prior to finding out there was such a thing when I needed inspection last year.

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[ahotboy15]

visable inspection of the screen material?

That some crazy DEQ process in NJ... I had a similar issue with my 034M HFC, short story I had to get it replaced.

Here in Oregon they just plug in the ODB scanner, check for errors, and an CEL. Mine had a CEL with error code P0420 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1. DEQ would not let me pass, so I had to get that taken care of.

I had a local performance shop install a new cat (in sig) and error went away and I was able to pass DEQ. I still have the 034M HFC, so I'm not sure if there is a way to test if its bad or not. Shop basically said it was bad...

Good luck!

[bigheadb7]

I will never be able to pass inspection on my Mk5 gti. I’ve never had any problem with the Audi it always passes with no problem but my gti got sai delete and i have a catless downpipe. I even offer a shop to pay them 500 but they didn’t want it lol. The only time they opened my hood it was with my moms car because the guy didn’t see the cat under the car


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[DownhillA4]

Yeah I've never had NJDMV pop my hood for inspection. Odd.

Then again my Audi (Tune, 034 HFC, TT Downpipe) goes privately since the windshield is fully tinted and don't want the #&$*% at the DMV to scrape away and re-apply the sticker.

[RoguesGambit]

Look at my sig, I passed with no issue

Come down to the freehold DMV, you'll be fine

[RoguesGambit]

Also, what part of Jersey are ya from, so us locals know to avoid that DMV

[fawaudi]

Also, what part of Jersey are ya from, so us locals know to avoid that DMV

Paramus, but again this is the first time they ever looked under the hood, I have passed through two inspections with them before, just hit or miss I guess, and it was just not my day, if the inspector A wasn't going on his break, they would've never popped the hood.

Anyway, I am glad to hear most of you haven't had any problem passing. Good Luck All!

[WewannaB7]

Mine’s stage 1 and I’ve never had an issue at that Paramus inspection station. However, this last time I did run into an a-hole inspector who did pop my hood and also kept lecturing me on why I shouldn’t keep old expired insurance cards/registrations in my glove box. He kept insisting that I immediately throw away those expired cards and just in general was an ass. I feel like he just wanted to fail me, but couldn’t. I’m pretty sure if he saw a HFC in my car he’d fail me. Keeps me from wanting to go to stage 2.

[fawaudi]

Mine’s stage 1 and I’ve never had an issue at that Paramus inspection station. However, this last time I did run into an a-hole inspector who did pop my hood and also kept lecturing me on why I shouldn’t keep old expired insurance cards/registrations in my glove box. He kept insisting that I immediately throw away those expired cards and just in general was an ass. I feel like he just wanted to fail me, but couldn’t. I’m pretty sure if he saw a HFC in my car he’d fail me. Keeps me from wanting to go to stage 2.

Damn, I wonder if we were dealing with the same inspector. Do you know why he popped your hood?

[WewannaB7]

Damn, I wonder if we were dealing with the same inspector. Do you know why he popped your hood?

Not sure. He told me just to stay in the pass seat and wait. Maybe he wanted to check it cause he saw the APR Tuning license plate frame on my car. LOL

[fawaudi]

Not sure. He told me just to stay in the pass seat and wait. Maybe he wanted to check it cause he saw the APR Tuning license plate frame on my car. LOL

How much more power do you get from Stage II? Passing the inspection is mainly why I haven't done Stage II, but according to APR website "Stage II Pricing: Customers who have purchased an APR ECU Upgrade before February 16th, 2015 are exempt from upgrade fees.". Does that mean you could upgrade and downgrade free of charge? If so, I would upgrade after each inspection then downgrade before each inspection.

[vce1232000]

How much more power do you get from Stage II? Passing the inspection is mainly why I haven't done Stage II, but according to APR website "Stage II Pricing: Customers who have purchased an APR ECU Upgrade before February 16th, 2015 are exempt from upgrade fees.". Does that mean you could upgrade and downgrade free of charge? If so, I would upgrade after each inspection then downgrade before each inspection.

most shops will still charge flashing labor of minimum 1 hour for each

[djibouti99]

For me, once they rolled my car over the camera to see the underside of my car and noticed an aftermarket exhaust, they popped the hood. This happened to me at two different DMV's. But they passed me...eventually.

[4rings5stars]

Aaah New Jersey. The California of the East!

Thankfully, CT only does an OBD test.

[Der Konig]

Not really an asshole, just good at his job apparently. Did exactly what he is supposed to do.

Sucks but sometimes that is what happens.

Stage 2 doesn't do anything besides eliminate the CEL for the cat, I am 2+ and have a spacer so whenever I need to do emissions testing I just flash it back to stock and pass. If I got busted for this, yeah it would suck but not really anyone's fault besides my own. I am knowingly doing what you aren't supposed to and no way would I even think about doing it for 5 hp or whatever if it was a visual inspection in my state.

[1killera4]

No inspection of any sort in Florida. :)

[tloft4]

passed an inspection before without them driving, lifting, or taking a single tire off the car (no emissions here). but you should still be able to fail one test and pass overall

[RoguesGambit]

For me, once they rolled my car over the camera to see the underside of my car and noticed an aftermarket exhaust, they popped the hood. This happened to me at two different DMV's. But they passed me...eventually.

Really? Like I said, Freehold, I come in, my exhaust is clearly aftermarket and they just carry on like it's nothing

[djibouti99]

Really? Like I said, Freehold, I come in, my exhaust is clearly aftermarket and they just carry on like it's nothing

Yeah. And funny enough, looking at your sig, my exhaust was the same setup. But was just Uni Stage 1+.

[RoguesGambit]

Yeah. And funny enough, looking at your sig, my exhaust was the same setup. But was just Uni Stage 1+.

Question is, with Murphy in charge now, will it change or will they not care?

Your exhaust loud as hell and drone around 3k as well?

- - - Updated - - -

No inspection of any sort in Florida. :)

I'd move there, but can't stand humidity xD

[konarider94]

So you do have a high flow cat? Just take out the spacer and reinstall the O2 sensor where it should be. The HFC still works the same its just not as restrictive as stock, it has more flow area. You shouldn't need the spacer.

I thought the spacer was just for those of us running a test pipe. I run a test pipe and spacer with no engine codes.

[fawaudi]

Not really an asshole, just good at his job apparently. Did exactly what he is supposed to do.

Sucks but sometimes that is what happens.

Stage 2 doesn't do anything besides eliminate the CEL for the cat, I am 2+ and have a spacer so whenever I need to do emissions testing I just flash it back to stock and pass. If I got busted for this, yeah it would suck but not really anyone's fault besides my own. I am knowingly doing what you aren't supposed to and no way would I even think about doing it for 5 hp or whatever if it was a visual inspection in my state.

I agreed with you the inspector was just doing his job above and beyond.

I got pissed off calling him an a$$hole because he was lying about the OBD was giving a code and failed the inspection, but the truth was that he failed the inspection manually. He could've done it more honestly and professionally instead of acting like a boss the whole time.

[fawaudi]

So you do have a high flow cat? Just take out the spacer and reinstall the O2 sensor where it should be. The HFC still works the same its just not as restrictive as stock, it has more flow area. You shouldn't need the spacer.

I thought the spacer was just for those of us running a test pipe. I run a test pipe and spacer with no engine codes.

Yes, it's a HFC. Taking out the o2 sensor will throw a code.

[djibouti99]

Question is, with Murphy in charge now, will it change or will they not care?

Your exhaust loud as hell and drone around 3k as well?

I initially got non-resonated and it was unbearable. My whole car would rattle. I eventually had resonators installed, but yeah, still droned. Especially bad going up a hill or if the road was inclined. But when I'd bring it in to get serviced and they would start it up, it sounded real good.

[APC123]

LOLOLOL

[konarider94]

Yes, it's a HFC. Taking out the o2 sensor will throw a code.

no i said take out the spacer and reinstall the 02 sensor. It sounds like the inspector only hand an issue with the spacer.

[fawaudi]

no i said take out the spacer and reinstall the 02 sensor. It sounds like the inspector only hand an issue with the spacer.

My bad, I meant "taking out the spacer", LOL. Anyway, taking out the spacer and reinstall the o2 sensor will give me a code, just like your testpipe and will not pass the OBD. Trust me bro, if I didn't have to install the spacer, I would have saved myself a few bucks buying the spacer.