Just had my test pipes put on...OMG!

That pic is from the Hyper-Flow website.

 

HYPOTHETICAL: What if I have a car with no cat and I am over visiting from Alabama at a car show in Atlanta. Can some EPA official just walk up in the parking lot and seize my car for inspection? It would have to be taken apart to PROVE that pipe doesn't contain a catalyst material. So I can't stop this? They can just drag my car away from me at will for disassembly and/or testing at any time or any place?

 

With an AL plate I'd think you'd be fine. The EPA is NOT the IRS which can do pretty much anything.

Ken

 

So I'm waiting for Franklin to respond....

Nothing? Well I'll answer the good Doctor:
NO. Here in the real world, we have a little something called Probable Cause. Explain how it pertains to search and seizure, Frankie! Fourth Ammendment in tha house!

 

You just did.

 

Doc, I don't think you run much risk of having your car impounded for a no-cat violation. What I have heard some guys do (not that I would advocate it, of course) is "gut" the cats. Basically, they destroy the baffles and pull them out, and put the cats back so that they LOOK like you have cats there, but are really just an empty shell. Now, I would never do something like that (LOL), but I've heard a number of people say they did it on older cars.

 

I heard somewhere that I did that to my VW back in high school. It's just a rumor,though.

 

Here is the pic from ricambi america, note the missing flange
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

The problem with this is that you ruin a pretty expensive pair of Ferrari cats & if you live in a state that requires you past the smog test, you have nothing to put back on the car to pass the test. Also would be a problem during resale time.

 

I know. Thank God I live in Alabama and have an 84 with just one cat.

Not that I have done anything wrong, though...

 

The 348 test pipes only have 1 flange because the 348 cat only has one flange.

Dave 348SStb posted some good pics in this thread:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38809&highlight=348+exhaust

but, unfortunately, they seem to be part of the "missing' pics from the crash.

 

YOU'RE MY HERO !!!!!!!

 

Somebody will probably chime in and ***** about him not recycling now.

 

Tommy, don't sweat it my friend, no worries mon!!

 

LMAO!!!!

 

Sorry parkerfe but you really are an a@*#$%e. Did I mention earlier how much I love this forum? Look, parkerfe, everytime I drive my 550 I break a law. Life is short, let the man enjoy his test pipes!!!!!!

 

The pic I uploaded was for a 308 carb car. The pic you're showing for 348's is also from HyperFlow. See the page at www.hyper-flow.com/race-pipes.htm

 

I've got a stupid question. (No, it has nothing to do with Frank).

When you change the exhaust characteristics of a car, doesn't that require some tweaking at the engine? And, with a fuel-injected car that has a computer chip controlling a variety of engine-management functions, do you need to fook with the chip? I am also assuming that back-end resistance, or whatever you really call it, would have an effect on engine performance. I always thought that when, on older Ferraris, they chucked the klugey emissions systems of the day, the car had to be retuned to take account of that.

 

Not really on the older early 80's cars. Maybe adjust the CO a little.

 

Actually, Frank is closer to the truth than most of you people think. The laws are getting more strict. And I've heard rumblings about making all aftermarket exhausts illegal in the USA.

An engine is calibrated with a certain design back pressure in mind. Removing the cat reduces the back pressure. Most engine management systems aren't calibrated to deal with that big a reduction in back pressure and you can get in some screwy operating windows, such as the engine hunting for idle.

Cats were put on the car to keep it legal. Same as headlights and seat belts. You can increase the performance of the car by taking those things out and saving weight, right?

I'm absolutely convinced that 99% of Ferrari owners can't squeeze the car to 100% of its stock potential anyway. Why bother taking the cats off for a couple of hp?

 

Oh, you mean the "entry level starter" Ferraris, right?

 

Probably just a unconscious habit from vigorously defending his clients. I have met him and he is actually a very pleasant person.

 

Why do I have a hard time believing that? You'd think the guy would finally give up on the "only 12 cylinder cars are real Ferraris" BS. We know how he feels already, and obviously some don't agree with him. There's really no need for him to continually state the same tired opinion over and over -- and over again, it's just offensive. As far as I'm concerned, he well deserves all the flak he's received. Trying to justify his behavior because he's an attorney makes no sense -- are we supposed to extend some special courtesy to him because of his profession (particularly that profession)? I don't think so, it reminds me of one of the things that is terribly wrong in this country. What was it that Shakespeare said about lawyers?

The good thing is that he's been notably absent from this board recently -- maybe we can all cross our fingers....

Joe