[Team503]

I want to a car that passes smog in Texas, which means I just have to pass a tailpipe sniffer and ODB-2 reader.

Can I do this with catless downpipes - AR, specifically? Or do I need to spend the change on catted downpipes?

[boost junkie]

Austin requires you to pass the tailpipe sniffer? Are you sure?

[MDORPHN]

Presumably you're running a tune. If JB4 or Cobb (or others), it should suppress the check engine light.

However, to pass the OBDII check, the systems will have to show "readiness" and you'll need a dp fix (essentially, a 02 simulator that will indicate that you still have your cats and that they are operating properly).

DP Fix is available from several vendors active on this forum.

Nei

[boost junkie]

Originally Posted by MDORPHN

Presumably you're running a tune. If JB4 or Cobb (or others), it should suppress the check engine light.

However, to pass the OBDII check, the systems will have to show "readiness" and you'll need a dp fix (essentially, a 02 simulator that will indicate that you still have your cats and that they are operating properly).

DP Fix is available from several vendors active on this forum.

Nei

Not true in TX. We're allow 1 not ready which can be the the cat system. All you have to do is turn the cat codes off with a cobb or bbflash and get the other systems to ready. I just passed a few weeks ago with aftermarket downpipes.

[CHECKERED]

Originally Posted by Team503

I want to a car that passes smog in Texas, which means I just have to pass a tailpipe sniffer and ODB-2 reader.

I have never been in TX and within 3 minutes of seeing this question I found the regulations,

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/rsd/vi/...ionTesting.htm

you only require to pass the sniffer if your car is 1995 or older…so you just need to pass the OBD-II readiness, which means you will need the downpipe fixers even with high flow catted downpipes, they have been known to throw codes
Best bet is to go cat-less and at the same time install the downpipe Fix, then check if all readiness are set, and adjust accordingly if they are not

[RSL]

Someone should tell the inspection shops. I've been in Austin since 2000 and I'm pretty sure the place I go to has stuffed a sniffer in the tailpipe of every car I've brought in since emission testing became mandatory here. Model years ranged from 2002-2012, which only require OBD-II scan according to that page. They also failed me a couple years ago when the tint laws changed and I was all of a sudden 5% over the limit on the front door windows. I had to rip the tint off and go through again. Maybe they're just overly thorough

Either way, I bought Cobb catted 2 weeks ago since the stock IS exhaust note/volume is music to my ears and I didn't want to mess with it much. I'll hopefully install this weekend, inspection is due next month. I'll ask them what's up if they sniff it again.

[MDORPHN]

Originally Posted by boost junkie

Not true in TX. We're allow 1 not ready which can be the the cat system. All you have to do is turn the cat codes off with a cobb or bbflash and get the other systems to ready. I just passed a few weeks ago with aftermarket downpipes.

Fair enough.

In DC all systems -- including cats -- need to show readiness

Neil

[boost junkie]

BTW, I run Cobb catted downpipes and they still throw cat codes. If your county requires that all the monitors are ready you'll need the dpfix. If they allow 1 not ready then you can pass without it.

[RSL]

Well that sucks, thanks for the heads up. I know some of them do, but couldn't find anyone running the Cobbs, so i figured I'd give them a shot. What codes are yours throwing? Pretty sure Travis allows 1 not ready, but maybe I should get the inspection done tomorrow while the stock DPs are still on since it's due so soon anyway.

[boost junkie]

Originally Posted by RSL

Well that sucks, thanks for the heads up. I know some of them do, but couldn't find anyone running the Cobbs, so i figured I'd give them a shot. What codes are yours throwing? Pretty sure Travis allows 1 not ready, but maybe I should get the inspection done tomorrow while the stock DPs are still on since it's due so soon anyway.

It throws the same code as catless. That monitor is super sensitive!

[RSL]

Thanks. Just wanted to follow up, passed inspection today (Travis County). Stock downpipes are still on, but my tune has the cat efficiency codes disabled (29F4 and 29F5) anyway. I didn't feel like reflashing to enable and then have to do a drive cycle. All monitors were ready except catalyst because of the disabled codes. I think allowing 1 monitor not ready on 1996 and newer (even catalyst) is a statewide thing.

I didn't see them do a sniffer this time, so I didn't ask, but it surely would've failed without cats had they done one. Long story short, catted if sniffer test, no cats if no sniffer test and cat codes disabled with either should be fine as long as all other monitors are ready.

[boost junkie]

Sweet thanks for the update.

[Team503]

So to clarify a bit:

In Texas, exhaust regs for passing inspection vary on a per county basis. You need to check your local municipality for what is and isn't legal. Some shops will apply the strictest standards in a CYA move, some will do only the bare legal minimum.

Personally, I want to pass with a clear sheet - meaning no "Not Ready" codes.

Can a Cobb AP3 do this (I'm either running to Cobb this afternoon to buy one or picking one up off the for sale forums)? Do I need something else to accomplish clearing/not reporting those Not Ready codes?

Sorry, I'm a bit of a newb to N54 tuning.

[brewnami]

I am also in Austin, TX (Round Rock) and I passed fine with a DP fix in Williamson County which is more strict than Travis County. They will only sniff if your cats show not ready. I keep a scan tool in my car so I can check readiness before I go for inspection. You will not pass a sniff, even with high flow cats.

[RSL]

Team503, Cobb will not ready the cats itself. AP can disable the cat efficiency codes, which makes the catalyst show as not ready. If your AP tune doesn't disable the cat codes, the cat will show ready, but may toss an MIL light on hi-flow catted DPs and definitely will without cats. If you want to be able to pass everything in the strictest terms on aftermarket DPs, go for race cats, cat codes enabled in your tune (all Stage 2 and race maps have them disabled by default) and if they throw a code, you will need a DP fix as mentioned above. That will allow cats to go ready and you'd pass a sniffer test if needed.

[MDORPHN]

You'd be able to pass both an OBDII scan and a sniffer test with catless downpipes provided you had the stock midpipe cats and a dp fix.

Neil

[Lambobimmer]

Originally Posted by RSL

Team503, Cobb will not ready the cats itself. AP can disable the cat efficiency codes, which makes the catalyst show as not ready. If your AP tune doesn't disable the cat codes, the cat will show ready, but may toss an MIL light on hi-flow catted DPs and definitely will without cats. If you want to be able to pass everything in the strictest terms on aftermarket DPs, go for race cats, cat codes enabled in your tune (all Stage 2 and race maps have them disabled by default) and if they throw a code, you will need a DP fix as mentioned above. That will allow cats to go ready and you'd pass a sniffer test if needed.

I believe that you are wrong about Cobb making the cats ready. I have been running Catless on Cobb for the past 3 years with no issue passing emissions in NC. NC uses OBDII so they are checking if they Cats are ready and I have never had an issue passing. I only use Cobb and I do not have the DP Fix installed. I just passed again earlier this week. I have have the secondary Cats still installed. I also do not throw any codes and I have not lights on the dash.

[RSL]

All OTS Stage 2 and race maps (and probably custom maps for catless) disable cat codes, which will eliminate CEL, but not allow catalyst to go ready. It's a matter of fact. Most states seem allow 1 system to not be ready. Some states don't allow that 1 system to be catalyst though, some will do the sniff test instead if catalyst shows not ready and some do mandatory OBD-II and sniff test.

Are the cat codes disabled in your map? Do you have your inspection sheet and does it list M/I systems ready/not ready? Does it show catalyst ready? Did you pass a sniffer test with just mid-cats or just the OBD-II scan test? My guess is your catalyst shows not ready and you didn't have a sniffer test. Passing for your area is passing, but that doesn't mean cats are ready or emissions are actually within legal limits.

[Lambobimmer]

Originally Posted by RSL

All OTS Stage 2 and race maps (and probably custom maps for catless) disable cat codes, which will eliminate CEL, but not allow catalyst to go ready. It's a matter of fact. Most states seem allow 1 system to not be ready. Some states don't allow that 1 system to be catalyst though, some will do the sniff test instead if catalyst shows not ready and some do mandatory OBD-II and sniff test.

Are the cat codes disabled in your map? Do you have your inspection sheet and does it list M/I systems ready/not ready? Does it show catalyst ready? Did you pass a sniffer test with just mid-cats or just the OBD-II scan test? My guess is your catalyst shows not ready and you didn't have a sniffer test. Passing for your area is passing, but that doesn't mean cats are ready or emissions are actually within legal limits.

NC does not use a sniff test. Many states use the same OBDII emission testing that NC uses and I am passing along this information to help others out because we can pass just using Cobb. I am sure that my emissions are not within the legal limit but for the state that I live in they don't check that.

[RSL]

I get that and we all appreciate input, but you said you believe Cobb readies the cat M/I system on presumably catless maps, which is incorrect. I was just trying to clarify for the benefit of others that might read this thread