So yesterday I installed my buddy club pro spec catback, and while in the process I could not unbolt the factory exhaust from the cat, so I had it done at a muffler shop and the guy said he had to burn it off since it was rusted so bad(probably bs but I didn't care to argue). So basically, since the bolts on the cat are literally welded on there, the threads are burnt off & there's no way to put it back on. With a test pipe it's too droney & I live in cali, I don't want a fat ticket. I'm wondering if there's anyway I can salvage the cat...

 

You can probably have the pressed in studs on the OEM cat drilled out and substitute three bolts. Or even weld three studs to the end plate.

Don't know about how loud your mufflers may be but I run a Berk 63mm high flow cat between the engine and my Tanabe Medalion Touring exhaust. Tests about 95dBA. This cat uses nuts and bolts, not studs. Passes Ohio emissions.

-- Chuck

 

That wouldn't pass in Cali...

Cut the studs off flush. Then either drill out the studs down their center, or try to punch them out with a BFH and a drift. Then use stainless steel bolts in their place.

 

I have about 110k miles on my MY03, and I am sure a new cat would be very beneficial. But, I'm very curious as to why a Berk HFC would not pass in Cali? (I'm in Cali)

I know, technically, it's intended/specified for "off-road use only" in Cali... but how does a smog shop know, and exactly why would a smog shop reject it?

Would it be the different emissions readings compared to the oem stock cat, or the visual inspection???

Has anyone here successfully passed smog with a Berk HFC in Cali???

I know I can just slap the oem stock cat back on, when smog time comes... but I'd rather be lazy if possible and leave the Berk HFC on (if I had it), and also less junk/storage space taken up in my garage if I didn't need to keep the oem stock cat.

 

Nice

 

It won't pass the visual part. Any cat not certified by CA for that model year S is illegal. I don't know if it will pass the emissions test, I think it will when new.

ROD

 

You guys made me check up on things in California. As your CAT is the original one, and it was not discarded for failure, (you wanted a noisy exhaust) you can re-install that one. The installation may be ugly, and it may not be as pretty as it was from the factory but it is legal.
If it is well done and you know the shop, it will pass the biannual smog inspection. The bottom line is "fixing' the original stock one.

 

Does California look inside the heatshield? I had a Berk high flow cat inside mine. Welded some tabs to the cat and the OE shield bolted on. Passed Ohio emissions.

-- Chuck

 

California has this:DAD OIS Smog Test System

2000 model year and newer vehicles (except for vehicles 14,000 GVWR or greater) no longer require the tailpipe portion of the smog inspection.Late model vehicles (along with diesel vehicles, 1998 & newer and which are 14,000 GVWR or under) will be administered the new On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) Inspection System (OIS) instead of having their exhaust emission analyzed while being driven on a dynamometer. The existing visual and functional test portions of the smog inspection will still apply.

end quote.

The visual part can consist of the technician looking underneath with a mirror on a stick. They can and may kneel down to take a look also. I have seen quite a variation in how much a tech will spot during visuals. If your CAT looks factory installed or hidden and the OBD II passes, you should be good to go.

You may want to find a shop you are comfortable with that also is certified for testing AND repair smog components.