Exhaust/smog question for my new 348...

I just bought my first Fcar ('94 348 S.S.) a couple weeks ago. It had an aftermarket exhaust on it (I think it may be an Ansa, but I couldn't read the name). The car is now back at the dealer as they are switching out the aftermarket, with the original one (which is being brought to them by the previous owner), so that the car can be smogged. The check engine light is on and they said that the O2 sensor is melted. The car emits some pretty heavy fuel smells (they stink up the garage side of the house when it's warming up in the garage), and I'm sure that the original cats are either punched out or there are also test pipes on the car along with the aftermarket exhaust. My question is, I'm a bit confused, even if the original exhaust gets put back on, without the cats. won't it still not pass smog?

 

An aftermarket exhaust will not affect smog/emissions whatsoever. Only if the cats were removed will you have a problem with smog/emissions testing.

 

O2 sensors are required for the car to run right, period. Cats are required to pass emissions. The aftermarket "muffler" has no effect on either. If the O2 sensor is "melted" it melted for a reason. Gutted cats or test pipes should have no effect on them. It's there to measure the mixture and adjust it as needed. A bad O2 sensor will illuminate the "check engine" lite for that cyl. bank and could have the car running real rich on that side, thus the fuel smell. I am guessing that if the car has cats on it, and one is plugged/failing/getting real hot, it could "melt' an O2 sensor, but remember, the O2 sensor is mounted at the inlet of the cat and the cat temp sensor is at the outlet, so I think that if a cat is plugged/failing/getting hot, you should also be getting a "slow down" lite for that side. The temp sensors could very well be removed if the car has had the cats gutted or removed, and that could explain the no "slow down" lite if the bulbs were removed. Do the "slow down" lites illuminate when you first start the car. Can you determine if the temp sensors have been removed and just tied off to the side while remaining plugged into the wiring harness? Ultimately, I would want to know what "melted" the O2 sensor if that is what has actually happened.

 

When running properly in the closed-loop mode with the O2 sensor working, injected IC (gas) engines of this era run ~1% CO and 200~300 ppm HC without cats (or upstream of the cats). If the functional emission test limits are higher than that, and they don't fail the car for visually not having cats, it could "pass". (1% CO and 300 ppm HC passes easily in CO, but not in CA.)

IMO you should pressure the dealer to pay for a set of Hyper-flow cats if the existing cats are missing/non-functional/hollow (unless the price you paid reflected that as the agreed situation).

 

BTW, especially in CA. I don't believe a dealer can sell you a car that won't pass emissions, or knowingly sell you a car that has had emissions systems removed or modified. Perhaps more ammunition for getting the dealer to fix it on his dime. The aftermarket exhaust is not the issue, and in CA. you won't pass without the cats because they are sticklers for the visual inspection.

 

What's the best place to order hyperflow cats. from?

Thanks....

 

RicambiAmerica IME -- best price and new gaskets included.

 

And Hyper-Flows just went on sale this week. Daniel is totally willing to make it all work. I'll be buying my HP's straight-away.

Cheers, Hank

 

Jonathan - I got my 348 spider last year from Florida with the stock muffler set up but punched OEM cats. Stunk to high heaven of fuel and did not pass smog here in LA. I didn't have the Check Engine Light (CEL) problem, however. I had my Tubi and Hyperflows installed at the same time and passed smog in California with flying colors. I agree with another post regarding sale of the car - the seller in California is responsible for providing a valid smog check upon sale of the car.

From http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm#BM2537

When a car is sold, who is responsible for the inspection?

The seller is required to provide the buyer with a valid smog inspection certification at the time of the sale or transfer. Smog certifications are good for 90 days from the date of issuance.

The inspection is not required on a transfer if a biennial smog certification was submitted to DMV within 90 days prior to the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).

Note: Smog certifications are not required for transfers that occur for any motor vehicle that is four or less model years old. A smog transfer fee will be collected from the new owner.

So (1) it is the responsibility of the dealer to have the car pass smog; (2) I highly recommend Hyperflows based on my experience; (3) if Daniel at Ricambi has them on sale then I agree that you should press the dealer to get them and have them installed - far better than OEM and less expensive too, plus even with your stock exhaust I reckon you will get a bit more aggressive sound.

Keep us posted.

Cheers
Kevin