[klassykleen]

I know the question is “dumb” and the answers are obvious to most. But I’m torn on something.

I don’t want a CEL, don’t wanna see it, live it, anything. And I want to be able to just waddle into a shop and get my emission’s inspection through just fine (I’m in NY).

CTS makes a catted downpipe for the same cost-ish for anything catless out there. The confusion I’m having is do I put defouler spacers? Both? Just the rear stream? Catless and defoulers on both ends and hope for the best?

Any help is appreciated. I’m not in a rush to make the decision.

Goal is to be able to have the ability to grow performance with the tunes and play with the burbles (controversial, I know)

[CT7]

i was in the same boat. i’d go with the active autowerks DP. no CEL garunteed, pricey but i found a used one for crazy cheap on fb marketplace (tri state area)

-you can still get great sound and burbles being catted
-a lot less smell
- the performance difference between catted and catless is minimal

[klassykleen]

Originally Posted by CT7

i was in the same boat. i’d go with the active autowerks DP. no CEL garunteed, pricey but i found a used one for crazy cheap on fb marketplace (tri state area)

-you can still get great sound and burbles being catted
-a lot less smell
- the performance difference between catted and catless is minimal

will I be able to max out the burbles safely with a catted downpipe? And pass smog?

[mike@x-ph.com]

+1 for active autowerke catted downpipe.

Remember that even if your tuner hides the check engine light from the catless downpipe, that does not necessarily mean you would pass emissions.

[klassykleen]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

+1 for active autowerke catted downpipe.

Remember that even if your tuner hides the check engine light from the catless downpipe, that does not necessarily mean you would pass emissions.

I would do MHD, would that be hiding it? Would the AA downpipe help the reality of not triggering a CEL naturally?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by klassykleen

I would do MHD, would that be hiding it? Would the AA downpipe help the reality of not triggering a CEL naturally?

The MHD hides the check engine light, but as far as I know, you still would fail emissions.

The active autowerke does not trigger the check engine light since it uses GESI-approved cats.
Outside of California, that should be enough to pass emissions testing.

[klassykleen]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

The MHD hides the check engine light, but as far as I know, you still would fail emissions.

The active autowerke does not trigger the check engine light since it uses GESI-approved cats.
Outside of California, that should be enough to pass emissions testing.

Sorry it's just a little confusing. So the AA would do good to pass emissions as I'm in NY. But MHD would not? So would MHD fiddle with the monitors on the OBD to the point of them never being ready?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by klassykleen

Sorry it's just a little confusing. So the AA would do good to pass emissions as I'm in NY. But MHD would not? So would MHD fiddle with the monitors on the OBD to the point of them never being ready?

Im not an emission expert, so I can't answer these questions with 100% certitude.

Active Autowerke uses EPA-approved cats, that's why it does not trigger the check engine light. Whether or not it passes emissions is better asked of someone familiar with NY emission laws.

As for MHD, we do not sell it, so I'm not too familiar with it, but most tuners will hide the code for the user, but they will not allow you to pass emissions illegally, so they do not end with a huge fine.

[klassykleen]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Im not an emission expert, so I can't answer these questions with 100% certitude.

Active Autowerke uses EPA-approved cats, that's why it does not trigger the check engine light. Whether or not it passes emissions is better asked of someone familiar with NY emission laws.

As for MHD, we do not sell it, so I'm not too familiar with it, but most tuners will hide the code for the user, but they will not allow you to pass emissions illegally, so they do not end with a huge fine.

Understanding it a little better now, so what you're saying is that the tuner can't code in a constant "CEL fix" because that's illegal, and the AA DP is compliant, so it passes (most likely), and I'm clear?

[ZHP to B58]

No point in going with high-flow catted downpipe IMO. I originally ordered one but ended up going catless after realizing a few things:

1. Even if you just want to play around with burble settings, it'll mean potentially damaging the cat. Especially if you go with aggressive settings at long durations.

2. "Just as good as catless" is false. A cat is still an obstruction in the downpipe vs. catless so that's more restrictive air flow as a fact. Might be a marginal improvement going from high-flow to catless but I've yet to see a side-by-side dyno or pulls between the two.

3. In CA, the most restrictive emissions state, cars only have to be smogged after 8 years from production date. So until 2025 for me, I'll remain catless.

4. The CEL appears eventually even though I have burbles, cold start, and startup roar off. Doesn't bother me anymore as I'm aware of that being the sole reason, plus I can check/clear it anytime.

[CT7]

Originally Posted by ZHP to B58

No point in going with high-flow catted downpipe IMO. I originally ordered one but ended up going catless after realizing a few things:

1. Even if you just want to play around with burble settings, it'll mean potentially damaging the cat. Especially if you go with aggressive settings at long durations.

2. "Just as good as catless" is false. A cat is still an obstruction in the downpipe vs. catless so that's more restrictive air flow as a fact. Might be a marginal improvement going from high-flow to catless but I've yet to see a side-by-side dyno or pulls between the two.

3. In CA, the most restrictive emissions state, cars only have to be smogged after 8 years from production date. So until 2025 for me, I'll remain catless.

4. The CEL appears eventually even though I have burbles, cold start, and startup roar off. Doesn't bother me anymore as I'm aware of that being the sole reason, plus I can check/clear it anytime.

the performance can’t be that much different

AA has a no CEL garuntee

Catless stinks!! atleast for me it was definitely a lil too much at times

just my 2 cents owning both

[CT7]

Originally Posted by klassykleen

Understanding it a little better now, so what you're saying is that the tuner can't code in a constant "CEL fix" because that's illegal, and the AA DP is compliant, so it passes (most likely), and I'm clear?

i would flash back to stock before taking to emissions with an AA DP you should be in the clear that way

[klassykleen]

Originally Posted by CT7

i would flash back to stock before taking to emissions with an AA DP you should be in the clear that way

This is what I would've done anyways just to be safe. Do you run an AA DP?

[klassykleen]

To follow up guys

If I go catted with active autowerke or MST, what burble settings can I run safely? MHD says soft 0.8 but I wanna ask you guys and see.

[Ajowhan]

max burble setting I have heard will probably destroy your cat early. Not really recommended. No idea about MHD since I use bm3, but on stock burble, you should be fine.

[Jcoop901]

I've used soft set at .6 comfort and .9 sport for about a year now without issue.

Setup is AA catted, TU pump, MHD Stg II+.

[CT7]

Originally Posted by Jcoop901

I've used soft set at .6 comfort and .9 sport for about a year now without issue.

Setup is AA catted, TU pump, MHD Stg II+.

what rpm do you set yours too?

[Jcoop901]

1200-5400 R.P.M's

min speed 9 M.P.H.

not sure what I set for max speed..

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Ajowhan

max burble setting I have heard will probably destroy your cat early. Not really recommended. No idea about MHD since I use bm3, but on stock burble, you should be fine.

+1

if running catted downpipes, I do not recommend running max burble.

You can run the standard burble or go a step more aggressive, but don't run max

[n55david]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

+1

if running catted downpipes, I do not recommend running max burble.

You can run the standard burble or go a step more aggressive, but don't run max

As a paid sponsor of this forum I feel like you're missing an opportunity to tell people to go max and then offer a discount on a replacement downpipe when they fuck it up... js

[WolfGTI]

I hope you are joking - this is not a good business practice or service model.

Originally Posted by n55david

As a paid sponsor of this forum I feel like you're missing an opportunity to tell people to go max and then offer a discount on a replacement downpipe when they fuck it up... js

[n55david]

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

I hope you are joking - this is not a good business practice or service model.

I'm either joking or not joking depending on your perspective...