Emissions exemption

In my state Maryland, the emissions exemption is at 20 yrs. So I can remove the cats and not bother with emissions or safety inspections (though safety should always be a priority). Historic plates are issued with a few restrictions. The 348's will be tempting in about 5 yrs down the road. What else can be disconnected/removed on these cars to lessen problems and make things easier?

 

Please note that removing catalytic converters is a Federal offense, separate from any local emissions rules.

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/factshts/catcvrts.pdf

 

Wow didn't know that but an unenforceable law anyway. Not saying to chuck the cat but keep it in a box and store it. Aren't they a fire hazard anyway?

 

Even if you do not require emission testing after 20 years (same where I live)....if you wish to sell the car the mechanic is supposed to inspect during certification for a catalytic converter (working or not).....while he won't have to do an emisson test, if you have test pipes on the car it won't pass certification and the car is not road legal.
Taking off the cats will result in a car that 'stinks' (ever get stuck behind an old bus--thats what the people behind your Ferrari will be breathing.....not very nice).
And a properly set up car will run just fine with cats installed.
The fires you mentioned are caused by car with problems. I have never understood why some people who buy Ferrari's don't maintain them properly , in effect treat them as 'beater' cars.
If you are going to drive a Ferrari you should be prepared to repair it and maintain it.........

Its also good for the environment to keep your car emission legal.........although some people may not care.

 

Well said !

 

I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I'm keepin my cats ON! The stench of the exhasut at first start up is nausiating. I can't even imagine having to smell that the WHOLE time I'm driving the car. NO THANK YOU.

 

I sure is nice to see this posted by an owner!

Regardless of where one stands on the G Warming and the likes, it is foolish for us not to do what can easily be done. What once was considered power robbing junk, today's emissions controls have no adverse effects on performance and in some cases actually enhance it slightly. If most would make a small effort to keep the cars compliant then the entire country wouldn't have CA type testing, only the big cities with high density population.

Make no mistake, the municipalities see this as an enormous cash cow and are doing road side testing to find a justification to bring it to your county. I live in a non testing county and we recently got notice that Larimer County is now building testing stations. There are 3 times more cattle and horses than people, if they will do it here they will do it anywhere. Don't think for a moment it wont come to your area if random testing shows it is needed, there is a big cash flow advantage for each county to have it.

Shovel ready projects, flying under the Green banner, Fed AND state tax money looking for a place to be spent, an assured payback to the county, plenty of extra new Gov. employees looking to justify their existence and easily enforced.... still think it wont happen?

Do what you can now voluntarily , there are few downsides, plenty of upsides for our kids and it might postpone the inevitable for a bit longer. If that doesnt cut it, if its running clean, its running right and will last longer.

 

+1

What do people think they are 'improving' on? You set and adjust everything aas perfectly as possible and enjoy the experience. If you have a need for speed there are faster vehicles available.

 

Understood, if I ever decide to get a 348 I will leave the cat in place. Are there sensors that can be removed to make things less complicated?

I understand what Dave is saying; seems we have cameras all over where I live. Got a $45 parking ticket at 8am. I was the only one there; no cars in sight. Still angry about this, if I don't pay quickly it can double or triple or worse. States are REALLY desperate for taxes since the economy has imploded. Thx MD and my wallet is shut for now.

 

There are fully functional, safe working alternatives to the old systems. In the old systems, non functional Slow Down ECU's were rightfully considered 'playing with fire'.

At some point in the future, logic and reason will hopefully be employed by ther Fed's regarding the status of emissions equipment. A two tiered system holding new cars to one std. yet allowing those with reduced value to use a reasonably priced, yet fully functional alternative. Such a dream would require the words 'Logic', 'Reason', and 'Federal Govmnt' to be used in the same sentense of a real conversation... truely but a dream at this point.

I am currently working on a system that corrects some of the problems the Feds are turning a blind eye to today. I know full well it will be dead in the water as soon as its done for no other reason than current Federal policy. Unless you have compromising photo's of a DC law maker... there is no chance to change anything in this business. Build it to run on used French Fry oil, Batteries or Pot stems and seeds and you can write your own rules.