Headers and catalytic converters

[Fryman]

I have a quick question..I have done some searching and I have gathered that headers take away the cat. But I am worried that I will need the cat due to a really awesome law in BC that makes me pass something called air care. Its for people that live in big cities but somehow my small town over an hour out of vancouver is still in its grasp.

So, if I purchase headers, take out the cat, will this effect if I pass or not? I know on my previous vehicle I had to pay a lot of money to get a cat installed just to pass.

Also while searching I came across this trick
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...at-with-Non-Fouler&highlight=non-fouler trick

 

[03zoomzoom]

Alot depends on how they test. If it's a visual test, leave your secondary cat and try to trick them that way. If they use a sniffer you might have a harder time fooling them.

 

[azuelke]

First, there is only ONE header. Second, it all depends how they test it. If they hook up a computer via ODBII, a simple non-fouler trick should be no problem. Like 03zoomzoom said, if they use a sniffer, you may have troubles. But then again, if you keep everything, it shouldn't be too hard to swap back to stock for the test.

 

[Fryman]

Pretty sure they use a sniffer, its quite a thorough test. I do realize its only one. Just the way I worded my original post it would sound weird if I just said header. I guess I could just do the non fouler trick, and if I fail still would it be hard to put the cat back in? Though I think they make you go to a mechanic.

 

[azuelke]

Some weird laws if they make you take it to a mechanic. As long as it passes the test, that should be good enough.

 

[Fryman]

Well I'm hoping it will pass without the cat

 

[Jonnyb]

Im in the same boat as you Fryman, but im interested in this cause i think my random missfire killed the pre-cat, from what i can understand from reading other posts. From what i have read , its cheaper to get the header then to get the pre-cat? cat bank1?( i dont know what to call it lol ) replaced. Let us know how it goes at the garage , cause we got crazy emission testing here in Ontario too. Good thing i got it done last year some im not due for the etest till next oct.

 

[azuelke]

Getting an aftermarket header is by far much cheaper than getting a quality replacement pre-cat.

 

[P-Funk!]

To be clear. You have two cats.
A header replaces the first cat. This will generate a CEL - hence the non-fouler trick.

The 'main cat' is the second one. You 'may' pass with only this one functioning. Depends on the test and the standard.

 

[slavrenz]

Agreed. I have heard of people passing the sniffer test with only the rear cat.

 

[Jonnyb]

Can anyone in Canada more specifically Ontario confirm they have done this and have passed Ontario's E-test???