Passing emissions

[Webbie13]

A few months ago I put on a stainless works high flow catted downpipe and a Bama tune. Unfortunately the check engine light came on because of "inefficient cats" Bama wrote me a new tune that had the O2 sensors turned off so the check engine light would go away. Unfortunately I now need to pass emission testing here in Houston.

I was told by Bama to put on the original tune that they sent me and then drive to the emissions testing shop. If my check engine light comes on I should just clear it and it will pass. I'm pretty sure this tactic won't work.....

I am currently going to try going back to the original tune and then driving at low/smooth throttle for a bit and then seeing if this will keep the check engine light off so I can go pass my emissions test.

Can a better tuner write a tune that will allow the car to pass the test with high flow cats? Or are the stainless works high flow cats just not up to the task of passing emissions?

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[EAndre]

I'm under the impression that these type of high flow cats wont pass. Hopefully someone that has been down this road can chime in. I live in Florida you basically do whatever you want here lol

 

[Stevem627]

I just did emissions for a 2015 with a Mishimoto Catted downpipe and had no problem. I have a Tune + tune.

 

[Webbie13]

I just did emissions for a 2015 with a Mishimoto Catted downpipe and had no problem. I have a Tune + tune.

Do you think it is the Bama tune failing or the Stainless Works catted downpipe failing?

 

[paullyd210]

I live in San Antonio and just had my inspection. I don't know of any shops that use a device to test emissions mine was purely visual. With my tune installed and high flow catted dp I passed and let's just say the guy performing the inspection took his job seriously. Rightfully so maybe he thought I worked for the state undercover testing inspection locations. I don't know. Anyway, He looked under all sides of my car took it for a drive around the little shop got out talked to the manager and said "where is you cat? It sure doesn't sound like you have one." Keep in mind I have the VS2 turbo and MF comp cat back I opened the hood and pointed and they OK'd. Hey if you fail you're only out $7.

 

[Edkiefer]

I don't know on other states but here in NY on a new car you get like 4 yrs of only visual test, no sniffer test.
You can't have check light on etc.

 

[Webbie13]

In Houston they do a visual inspection but hook a machine up to your ODBII port. The machine checks to see if your emissions equipment is in the ready state and if your check engine light is working and on. If your rear O2 sensor is not ready (turned off) or showing an error (turned on and having hi flow cats not being effective enough, or tune being too smoggy which causes a rear O2 sensor error) then you fail.

 

[Ebm]

I don't condone doing this, but tuners have the ability to set emissions systems to "no error reported" which means you will get a ready or green light come emissions time. This is illegal and the tuner could get fined for this, but it's possible. With a computer, a lot of things are possible.

 

[Dannyho]

i clear the check engine light on the way to the shop in my old truck. hasn't failed yet.

 

[MustangMustHaves]

Might be super relevant for you guys in the states, but I took my Cobb Catted downpipe for a test to our control centers for an emission test (in name of science, cause we only have to do the first one after 4 years).

They test the CO and Lamda-value (which basically is air/fuel ratio) during idling. During the test, the catalyst cooled down to just under 500°C cause I had to wait in line a few minutes. CO was basically 0.00 (which is perfect) and Lamda was basically 1.00 (which is perfect).

So the 200cell cat in Cobb's downpipe gets the job done brilliantly!

Probably is totally useless info for you guys, but still

 

[Cobra Jet]

Question:

In some States, if the vehicle is bought new, the Dealer places a white Dealer inspection sticker on the windshield and the car does not need to be inspected at all (safety or emissions) for at least 4-5 yrs from the sold date/year.

So for instance in NJ, a vehicle bought new in 2017, the owner does not need to take it through any State inspection until year 2022.

In TX, you have to get a new vehicle inspected so soon??

 

[5.0yote]

I just passed emissions with no cat with the MAP catless downpipe which has a j tube that pulls the rear O2 out of the flow of gasses. I suspect a spacer would help you with the O2 sensor and should help clear your cel.

 

[paullyd210]

In TX, you have to get a new vehicle inspected so soon??

Yupp I bought my car new in December 2014 so two years later I had to do it. The waiver may also change for cars bought used, I'm not sure.

 

[NHEcoboost]

I have a Mishimoto catted downpipe and Unleashed Tune...passed last August in NH. I was worried, but it was fine.

 

[Webbie13]

Ok in the name of science.....I have put the stock tune back on my car, I will go tomorrow to get the emission test with the Stainless Works catted downpipe and stock tune, if it passes I will let you guys know. If not I will try with the Bama tune and stock cats installed. It will be interesting to see which aftermarket item is the culprit. If it fails both ways then of course I will go stock tune stock cats.

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