I am on the edge of buying Pacesetter longtubes, but only one problem. I live in Houston, Harris County to be exact and they can be sticklers about emissions testing. Since I do have OBD II, I know they just plug a computer into the port and they see if there are any codes popping up. I also believe that they have a visual inspection to make sure the cats are present.

Since I would have longtubes, I would naturally want to run an offroad pipe with my setup. Most likely I would use the Pacesetter y-pipe that you can buy with it. My question being, is there a way I would be able to have a "bolt in" high flow cat for when I do emissions testing? Once I pass the test, I would be able to bolt on a straight pipe in the cat's place. Does anyone have this sort of setup?

 

I am running hooker long tubes with a y pipe and no cats. I live in Harris county and have for a long time now, but I have Ohio plates. Ohio does not require inspection so I have been floating around Houston for a long long long time now with all of my Ohio stuff.

I want to get my car inspected as well. I have an OBD1 ECM at the moment. I know I will need to get my OBDII ECM programmed in order to pass inspection, but Im not sure that will cut it. I am not sure if the computer will do a simple check for emissions related codes, or will it do a FUNCTION test?

I think I have a place that will pass me if all the computer does is look for codes. Visual inspection is another issue, as well as a sniffer test due to no cats on that car.

Anyone know how the tests actually function?

 

If they are sticklers for visual, they will take one look at the long tubes and fail you. Long tubes alter the original placement of the cats (which is a violation of federal regulation), so no long tubes are "legal" anywhere in any state.

 

I know that long tubes are technically not legal, but I'm sure if they look and see that I have all the EGR hookups and a cat, then they would pass me. But back to my question, does anyone have a setup with a bolt-in removeable cat?

 

Regardless of if other people have it done (and I'm sure plenty do), it is a simple job for any exhaust place. Just take it to a compitent shop and they will do it for you.