Hey all,

Just wondering who here has a modded (at least stage 2) LSJ and has to pass a tailpipe emissions test where they live? Any problems? Tips or tricks? I've only got GM stage 2 right now, so I figure I *should* be ok, but I'm planning to get the ZZP midlength header/catted downpipe combo.

I know I can expect a code from the high flow cat, which I figure I can get deleted with HPTuners. I guess the real question is, are high flow cats such as the Magnaflow on the ZZP combo effective enough to pass a tailpipe emissions test on a stage 2 tune? I live in Houston, TX (Harris county).

Seems like a bit of a waste to just get a shorty header and leave the stock downpipe on there, seeing how it seems to be such a bottleneck and all. However, I don't really plan on modding my car much further; probably won't drop down smaller than a 2.9" pulley, so maybe the stock downpipe isn't such a big deal?

I really hate emissions testing...had to get rid of my first car 7 years ago because they started emissions testing here...had an '86 Camaro with a built 350 4BBL with all the emissions crap torn out and it didn't have a chance in hell of passing...still miss that car sometimes...

I'd appreciate any input, thanks!

 

not me lol

 

You talking about your state or all in general becuase some of us dont have emissions

 

Anyone who *does* have to pass emissions tests. If anyone is in my area, that's even better. I'm well aware many areas do not have emissions testing.

 

i have passed emissions with my big turbo srt4 i had before..full 3" turbo back exhaust,no cats,or resanators and it passed...as long as u dont have a check engine light,u will pass,and also ur car cant run stupid rich at idle

 

If you have a cat and idling with a near 14.7:1 afr, you'll be fine. Stage 2 will pass. It has to or GM couldn't release it to the public.

 

as long as it passes OBDII scan in texas your good to go... or it is also legal to get your car inspected in the county you live in or any surrounding county so if theres a non-emissions county around you should be ok!!!

 

Thanks! So using HPTuners to delete the code caused by the high flow cat shouldn't be detectable using the OBDII scan?

Unfortunately, I can't get inspected in another county. Even the counties surrounding Harris have to test for emissions...which I how I got fucked years ago with my Camaro, living in Fort Bend.

Thanks for the quick responses, everyone! That ZZP header/downpipe combo is starting to sound real appealing again If anyone else has anything else to add, I welcome it - I've learned a lot about this car from members on this site, and still have lots more to learn!

 

crook it ......thats how my friends do it ...well they know the guy ..so they pay a little extra...n they pass them

hey where did you get your stage two install n for how much....cause we are from the same area...just wondering

 

the bottle neck is the header and the exhuast after the factory resonator. which is 2.25.. other wise it's atleast 2.5 and on my IRL the exhaust shop measures my DP and it was 2.75.. with only stage 2 you sould be fine.. even with a high catted DP it shouldnt pop codes.. it's when you have NO cat that the car will pop codes IIRC.

 

deleting codes before before you go for the test wont mean it will pass. obdII programing has whats known as readiness moniters. these are tests that run in order to determine if the emmission system is functioning correctly. these tests include (but not limited to) missfire, catalyst, oxygen sensors, egr, evap. if you were to hook up a scan tool (not a code reader) and look at the obdII data stream you would see the moniter status, and right after clearing codes they would say "not ready". these tests will run after codes are cleared, and certain requirments need to be met before all of them will run. missfire will require you to accelerate at medium to heavy throttle, catalyst will require cruising speeds, same with egr, o2 sensors will need idling from a cold start. if any of these tests fails a code will be set for that system.

keep in mind that the moniters are really what they are what emmissions testers are really looking for, if they arent set, you will fail. in my area they look for missfire, o2, catalyst, evap and egr (if equipped), and are allowed one not set (ive seen cars go months without being able to set the evap system). however im lucky, cars 2002 or later dont require testing till they are 7 years old, then every 2 years after that. 1998-2002 cars require a scan only every 2 years. whats even better is as of january 1st 2012 our aircare program is gone, so i will never need to have my car tested.

 

hit it on the head. we deleted all my codes for my cat and then i drove around for about 60 miles all kinds of conditions and went to get it inspected the same day and I passed with flying colors. The car needs time to setup its monitors like said. You cant just idle it though like he said you need to drive it. But if you drive for a bit then get inspected youll be fine. I dont even think there are many states that use sniffers anymore most use the odbII

i was running no cat and i passed my states inspection. I now have a high flow inline(to get rid of the rasp) but with out the cat I passed because we deleted all the codes

 

unless you are somewhere like cali with super-strict emissions you should be just fine... even without a cat.

our little 4-banger at idle can't possibly put out as much crap as a lot of the old POS cars on the roads...

 

Thanks again, everyone!

I did a bit of searching and it looks like I have to pass the OBDII test, as mentioned above. Thanks for the tips on making sure all my monitors are set, etc. I get inspected in April, will probably wait until then to add any more stuff so if I run into any issues, I have a year to get whatever I need sorted out & ready for the next time.

 

I got a waiver for 2 years

said i was "too Low" to make it over the rollers and they wasnt allowed to back it into the other side to scan haha.

 

Looks like you got the info you need but I'll post anyway. I used to live in Collin County and passed the emissions test. Had stage 2 and the ol Air Box mod. Inspection was done in Oct.