Smog test with gutless converter??

[tadpole1065]

Will an 05 ram 2500 that is completely stock pass a smog test with guts removed from the catalytic converter???

 

[R.Taylor]

Ah... . I thought the same thing but..... I highly doubt it. With a working CAT the exhaust smells very different... So different that even the most dim witted smog tech would be able to tell something is wrong. By this time these smog techs have seen enough of our trucks to know what the exhaust smells like.

 

[tadpole1065]

Yeah, I cant make up my mind on what im gonna do. Right now the cat is out of the truck, but in about 4 months it will have to be back in for the pathetic test. I have been thinking about welding flanges on it so that it can be taken in and out... From what I have heard so far is they have just gave a peek under the truck to make sure it is physically there and that it is the proper unit ...

 

[Motorhead]

They are just physically looking NOW..... but later? The cats on yours and mine aren't supposed to cost us much if any power loss. Why remove it or gut it?
Believe me... . I am not an emissions lover, especially on diesels.

 

[p-Bar]

Just jerk of the muff and use the cat as the muff . It has a great sound

 

[tadpole1065]

My big concern is that I burn all my used oil in the fuel tank and im afraid of plugging up the converter with soot... I have been doing this for some time, and it works fine. The truck runs just as good, I save a little on buying fuel and then I dont have any used oil to get rid of either. . I wonder if they saw my cat installed with welded flanges on each end if it would cause them to fail it on the smog test...

 

[ILIANBG]

Why don't you just go and try? You might just pass. I was worried a bit too- did not know what to expect. I was all good. It is around $60~$70. Hope all to be good.
Ilian

 

[tadpole1065]

I think you're right Ilian. . I guess I shouldn't worry to much until its time. I think I am just tired of our government and thier wanting to control everything we do,(including breathe)BS... I guess worst case senario would be to have to by a new converter because I failed the test.

 

[CKelley1]

cut the cat out, use band clamps to put it back in and get a piece of pipe the same length as the cat to run between test. you need to use a cat 2 micron filter or you will cause excessive injector wear

 

[tadpole1065]

Thanks CK, I am one step ahead of ya. I have been using the SS band clamps with a piece of pipe for years now, and the fine micron filter. Its a funny thing, most people dont even know there is finer micron filters that will work in that truck. . I pump my used oil through a 5 micron filter before I put it in my fuel so I have a bit of a head start on it being clean... With all the changes in todays injection system, the fuel has to stay very clean or big problems are gonna hit you hard...

 

[Bob4x4]

A gutted cat will not make you fail smog. If it smokes that is another matter

 

[tadpole1065]

I agree with you Bob, but I just dont wanna have to buy a new cat. They are freaken expensive. . Now if it was gonna make 4 or 5 mpg, or a couple hundred hp I would be all for it... ha ha

 

[MLee]

If you have an inspector sniff your exhaust better call the cops he's on something. Course, mine, I can cut the fueling and cut the smog, It ran so clean this year he had to put in a fictucious number just for the paper work, and didn't run a full test either. And yes it has enough power to get out of its own way.

My kid was running a straight cat back duels, and had to install a Magnaflow to comply this year on his 3rd gen mufflers are required. Different set of inspectors this year

 

[MPerez]

Not sure what they test in CA, but in Washington they do a diesel particulate test; which is basically how much soot is in the exhaust. When I lived in that part of the state and had to test I always de-tuned the injector pump so when you floored it (the snap test) it wouldn't make any smoke (this was on an Audi diesel - I left that area before I had diesel truck). The inspector told me "that's the cleanest diesel I've ever tested". They don't hire them for their mechanical abilities that's for sure. With a third gen and a Smarty, I'd just put it on "zero" (or half power) and test that way.

 

[tadpole1065]

According to what ive read and heard, its just a visual inspection right now to make sure the cat is there and is the correct one. Then the smoke puff clean out test, and the OBD scan for alterations. . Im sure over time this great government we have will make it alot harder...