|
|
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 35
New CEG\'er
|
OP
New CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 35 |
98 SVT
Im getting p0420 and slight loss of power(but the engine sounds like its hauling ass) so i believe my cats are starting to plug.
I live in an area where emissions checks on vehicles are non-exsistant... you cant even find a shop to test your emmissions, so i am probably just gonna gut the cats and install mil eliminators.
My question is, could I get a ticket out of state like, california, somehow? and how much would it possibly be?
I plan on driving this car from iowa to alaska next summer and it's over $1,600 to have the converters replaced, so, i guess whats gonna cost more, the cats, or the possible fines?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,693
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,693 |
At least in California, it would be a very rare thing for a policemen to cite someone for a smog violation. Pretty much it is a matter between you and the DMV if you fail a smog test for modification. The only reason for a smog test is to either get it registered here or to renew your registration here. If it fails, you don't get it registered. You either get it to comply or you take it out of California or you park it.
Policemen don't even study smog laws. They have other things to keep them busy.
Jim Johnson
98 SVT
03 Escape Limited
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,028
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,028 |
Get on EBAY and look for used cATS... Hightower found me a set on EBAY for the front and rear... I got the front $40 bucks...The rear, $10 bucks...This includes three O2 sensors, and supposedly the SVT that it came off of had only 55K on the odometer, so they should be good for a long time... Guess where they are? On my shelf...After I bought them, my CEL went off  And, no, I won't sell them, because as soon as I do, that's when the CEL comes back on  Anyway, check on EBAY for some, you never know...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,345
Addicted CEG\'er
|
|
Addicted CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,345 |
Originally posted by crappywheelhop:
98 SVT
Im getting p0420 and slight loss of power(but the engine sounds like its hauling ass) so i believe my cats are starting to plug.
... so i am probably just gonna gut the cats and install mil eliminators.
..
I suggest installing mileliminators ($30 at www.mileliminators.com) but not gutting the pre-cats. Just remove the main cat and tap it to remove the blockage (if you think it is plugged). Then reinstall it. IMO, a 40% functioning pre-cat is better than a 0% functioning pre-cat or no pre-cat.
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,825
Cool Toe Chris
|
|
Cool Toe Chris
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,825 |
Originally posted by Tony2005:
IMO, a 40% functioning pre-cat is better than a 0% functioning pre-cat or no pre-cat.
Explain this statement please. I'd rather have headers or gutted pre-cats to clogged pre-cats.
Chris
NJ
98.5 SVT Silver Frost
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,345
Addicted CEG\'er
|
|
Addicted CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,345 |
Originally posted by Shaggy:
Originally posted by Tony2005:
IMO, a 40% functioning pre-cat is better than a 0% functioning pre-cat or no pre-cat.
Explain this statement please. I'd rather have headers or gutted pre-cats to clogged pre-cats.
If you have to deal with emissions, the little of the precats which is functioning will assist.
Originally posted by Big Jim:
The main reason that the precats are there is to help clean up the emissions during warm up. However, they work all the time and make a significant contribution to clean tailpipe readings. With the precats in place, all cats healthy, and a healthy running engine, the tailpipe readings will be nearly zero. If only the main cat is functioning, the readings will be on the high end of spec and if all goes well will pass the test.
Some cars have used an electric air pump to add a bit of fresh air during warm up instead of precats. Volvo used it for a few years, as did the Lincoln Mark VIII. I don't know if it ever went into production, but there was talk of Fararri using two stage headers with a valve similar to the old style heat riser. During warm up the exhaust is to be routed through the precat and after warm up the precat is bypassed.
One of the dirtiest modes of operation is warm up.
Remember that the method of measuring exhaust emissions to get a car certified by the manufacturer, is to drive it on a dyno that is computer controlled and goes through a sequence of driving cycles. During portions of those tests, all of the stuff coming out of the exhaust is collected into a bag and then the bag contents analysed to bring it into a grams per mile reading. Early in the emissions game, the low hanging fruit was picked. Now the emphasis must be on getting everything as clean as possible even in the dirty modes that were harder to get under control. They must continue to find ways to clean it up.
In the early days of smog control, the emphasis was entirely on meeting the standards. Horsepower was curtailed in the rush to clean things up. The amazing thing about today is that not only are the cars much cleaner, they also run and perform much better.
Some have posted that the it is possible to pass emissions without pre-cats and some have not. If the pre-cats are breaking up, chances are the main cats will be blocked, and that is the one you should remove and tap (not gut) to unplug it. Of course, if you suspect that the pre-cats are plugged, then, you would also remove and tap to unplug it. And we (Ray and I) have posted recently on how to determine if it is the pre-cat or main cat which is plugged.
Edit. Test for plugged exhaust.
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=trouble&Number=1048587&Forum=trouble&Words=moose&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=1month&Main=1048523&Search=true#Post1048587
Last edited by Tony2005; 09/27/05 02:42 PM.
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,345
Addicted CEG\'er
|
|
Addicted CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,345 |
Of course, there are also other causes of a P0420 code.
From TSB,
�· Malfunctioning ECT/CHT
�· High fuel pressure
�· Damaged exhaust manifold
�· Cylinder misfiring
�· HO2S wiring concerns (shorted or chafed, bent pins, etc.)
�· Damaged exhaust system pipe
�· Damaged muffler/tailpipe assembly
�· Retarded spark timing
Damaged Catalytic Converter:
�· Use of leaded fuel
�· Oil contamination/consumption
�· Silicone contamination (sealants/cleaners)
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 157
CEG\'er
|
|
CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 157 |
Originally posted by crappywheelhop:
My question is, could I get a ticket out of state like, california, somehow? and how much would it possibly be?
I plan on driving this car from iowa to alaska next summer and it's over $1,600 to have the converters replaced, so, i guess whats gonna cost more, the cats, or the possible fines?
i dont think that oust of state cops can enforce their emissions and vehicle code laws to a car that is not registered in their state. example. in some states you can tint all windows of your car, so if you come into cali they cant fine you because vehicle code only applies to car registered in cali.
because you are only visiing, but theyll get you if you try to register here.
~Crystian
2000 Se sport
2001 Lightning(Sorry!your mom cant come with us)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,693
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,693 |
Yes they can. I've had the tickets to prove it. You are responsible for knowing and obeying the laws of the state you are in, even if you are just passing through.
Again, as far as I know, policemen don't enforce smog laws.
Jim Johnson
98 SVT
03 Escape Limited
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,825
Cool Toe Chris
|
|
Cool Toe Chris
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,825 |
Of course we have e-tests in NJ! I have passed every year with flying colors, without any precats. I just make sure to go for a nice drive before the test to the secondary cat nice and hot.
Chris
NJ
98.5 SVT Silver Frost
|
|
|
|
|
