High flow cats and emissions inspection

DrEvil · 03-23-2011, 08:02 AM

Anyone here in Jersey running high flow cats and been through the new emissions only inspection yet? I've reading alot about them here and am strongly considering this mod. The bolts from hell and the thought of possibly failing inspection and having to put back the oem cats doesn't really turn me on.

BLM · 03-23-2011, 08:14 AM

I would advise keeping the stock cats simply because if you get an aftermarket exhaust you run the risk of having the hissing/whistling noise. I have it and it doesn't bother me that much and the car makes great power. Regarding emissions, idk if a hfc will pass. I just went with a straight test pipe. I'd do a test pipe or leave the cats in. The only way i'll change to an HFC is when ARK releases their HFC to fix the hissing sound from the combo of their exhaust and test pipe.

fuct · 03-23-2011, 08:40 AM

you wont pass the visual inspection at a compitent emissions place.

BalanBro · 03-23-2011, 08:46 AM

If you bought the car new, you are exempt for 5 years. I haven't had mine tested, but I did have my other car done. They test parameters through the obd2 interface. Basically, if there are no faults, you pass. Keep in mind that you can't just clear codes. It has to legitimately be free of faults. Next, they may do a visual to check for cat removal. I remember they had a mirror on a stick to look under the car. If you give them a reason to look, i.e. smell, sound, they may do so.

HFCs have a better chance of passing visual, especially a Berk, which does not even look aftermarket.

BLM · 03-23-2011, 08:49 AM

How do the HFC's smell? My test pipe is dead in the water. Smells like a race car. But the car is only a month old and by the time it needs to be inspected it'll already be traded in for a GT-R

DrEvil · 03-23-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLM

I would advise keeping the stock cats simply because if you get an aftermarket exhaust you run the risk of having the hissing/whistling noise. I have it and it doesn't bother me that much and the car makes great power. Regarding emissions, idk if a hfc will pass. I just went with a straight test pipe. I'd do a test pipe or leave the cats in. The only way i'll change to an HFC is when ARK releases their HFC to fix the hissing sound from the combo of their exhaust and test pipe.

Right now I'm running a Tanabe cbe with a Y pipe in the near future.
I'm half deaf so for me a litte extra noise isn't a real issue,but I also don't want to sound like a kid in an old banged Civic running a fartcan exhaust.

BLM · 03-23-2011, 10:55 AM

None of the exhausts out there sound like a fart can. You really can only get that sound with a 4-cyl engine. With our cars the issue is rasping/hissing due to the VQ motor and use of test pipes/hfc's that un-muffle it.

christian370z · 03-23-2011, 01:27 PM

Almost all reputable branded HFCs will readily pass emissions in terms of a sniffer test, however they will fail the visual if you have that inspection in NJ. They have that in CA but plenty of shops will "forget" the visual if you pass the sniffer test as most rational mechanics know that all that matters is that the HFC is doing its job.

BalanBro · 03-23-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLM

How do the HFC's smell? My test pipe is dead in the water. Smells like a race car. But the car is only a month old and by the time it needs to be inspected it'll already be traded in for a GT-R

HFC's don't smell too bad. It does stink a bit at start-up as the cat's haven't reached operating temperature yet. After it's warm, it has just a slight odor. If you plan on attending one of the meets in NJ during the spring/summer you can check it out. I try to go to at least a few of them (mostly organized by 350z guys). Keep an eye out in the regional section.

BLM · 03-24-2011, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BalanBro

HFC's don't smell too bad. It does stink a bit at start-up as the cat's haven't reached operating temperature yet. After it's warm, it has just a slight odor. If you plan on attending one of the meets in NJ during the spring/summer you can check it out. I try to go to at least a few of them (mostly organized by 350z guys). Keep an eye out in the regional section.

Will do. The smell doesn't bother me. Reminds me of my WRX that was completely cat-less. It spews a ton go exhaust gases though. WIth all my modded cars I never had issues with cops in terms of emissions and busting my balls. I got a lot more $hit for not having a front license plate.

03-23-2011, 08:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
DrEvil Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 270 Drives: 09 370z,Blue, auto Rep Power: 14	High flow cats and emissions inspection Anyone here in Jersey running high flow cats and been through the new emissions only inspection yet? I've reading alot about them here and am strongly considering this mod. The bolts from hell and the thought of possibly failing inspection and having to put back the oem cats doesn't really turn me on.

03-23-2011, 08:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
BLM Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 342 Drives: 2011 Silver M6 sport Rep Power: 14	I would advise keeping the stock cats simply because if you get an aftermarket exhaust you run the risk of having the hissing/whistling noise. I have it and it doesn't bother me that much and the car makes great power. Regarding emissions, idk if a hfc will pass. I just went with a straight test pipe. I'd do a test pipe or leave the cats in. The only way i'll change to an HFC is when ARK releases their HFC to fix the hissing sound from the combo of their exhaust and test pipe. __________________ K&N // GTM // BERK

03-23-2011, 08:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
BalanBro Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 318 Drives: 40th Anniv. 370Z Rep Power: 1111	If you bought the car new, you are exempt for 5 years. I haven't had mine tested, but I did have my other car done. They test parameters through the obd2 interface. Basically, if there are no faults, you pass. Keep in mind that you can't just clear codes. It has to legitimately be free of faults. Next, they may do a visual to check for cat removal. I remember they had a mirror on a stick to look under the car. If you give them a reason to look, i.e. smell, sound, they may do so. HFCs have a better chance of passing visual, especially a Berk, which does not even look aftermarket. __________________ 2012 Mercedes C63 AMG P31 Sedan, ROW, aFe, Eurocharged Dyno Tune. 438WHP/415WTQ 2010 SOLD: 40th Anniversary 370z

03-23-2011, 08:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
BLM Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 342 Drives: 2011 Silver M6 sport Rep Power: 14	How do the HFC's smell? My test pipe is dead in the water. Smells like a race car. But the car is only a month old and by the time it needs to be inspected it'll already be traded in for a GT-R __________________ K&N // GTM // BERK

03-23-2011, 10:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
BLM Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 342 Drives: 2011 Silver M6 sport Rep Power: 14	None of the exhausts out there sound like a fart can. You really can only get that sound with a 4-cyl engine. With our cars the issue is rasping/hissing due to the VQ motor and use of test pipes/hfc's that un-muffle it. __________________ K&N // GTM // BERK

03-23-2011, 08:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 23	you wont pass the visual inspection at a compitent emissions place.

03-23-2011, 01:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
christian370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 3,900 Drives: 2010 370Z/Saab 900se Rep Power: 431	Almost all reputable branded HFCs will readily pass emissions in terms of a sniffer test, however they will fail the visual if you have that inspection in NJ. They have that in CA but plenty of shops will "forget" the visual if you pass the sniffer test as most rational mechanics know that all that matters is that the HFC is doing its job. __________________ -320whp / 259wftlbs- SP Rays -- RE-11s -- SpecialtyZ Tune -- Swift Springs -- Stillen 25R Oil Cooler -- Stillen G3 Intakes -- Berk HFCs -- F.I. 12" CBE -- Stillen Sway Bars -- Es14 Spring -- INGS+1 lip -- CF Spoiler -- GTR Start Button -- VLED Parking Lights -- PWJDM V2 shift knob

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