Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

I got pulled over for having illegal emissions parts. I bought the 99 Eclipse GST with a cold-air intake, aftermarket muffler (possibly rest of exhaust system but there is a Cat-Converter), and a faulty Throttle Position Sensor. I dont even know what brand the intake and exhaust is. I took the car to get tested before changing anything and I failed the 15 mph test in the HC and NOX readings by about 150-200 ppm each. I fixed the TPS and had it tested again and it still failed but only by about 75-125 ppm each.

I finally realized the 2 aftermarket parts are literally illegal to have installed on the car. When I looked up the BAR approved aftermarket parts for the GST...they pretty much dont exist lol. The turbo Eclipse has no approved exhaust systems except for the Pacesetter Header. So theres one reason I believe im still failing the smog test. There was only 2 intake systems found that are approved...the K&N and some Cyborg one thats discontinued. So thats 2 reasons why I believe im still failing.

What I want to know is...do emissions illegal parts such as mine really cause that much of an increase in HC and NOX? The 25 mph test is fine and I pass that easily. I look at the non-turbo'd cars and pretty much all brands...Greddy, Blitz, etc are all emissions friendly. But do these same parts on a GST increase power but cause you to give up the street legal label? Ill be swapping the muffler for the stock one and the intake for the K&N FIPK approved one. As far as I know theres nothing else wrong with the car...do you think those 2 changes will help? Sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to have other opinions/facts...thanks.

RE: Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

First off, what state are you from?

RE: Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

The emissions tight California state...only state where cops fully harass us import/musle drivers.

RE: Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

gotta be stock out there lol... Florida you do what ever the hell you want. Ma has emission check but I have had a rejection for the last 7 months on the EVO

RE: Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

Hehe thanks, I knew those parts had to go.

RE: Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

Well even with an intake and a catback system you should still be able to pass an emmision test. That should let out that much more. Do you still have a CEL? Maybe you have a bad cat, because thats what it was on my car and it was failing miserably here in mass

RE: Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

You can get a sleeper exhaust using the stock tip...

RE: Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

Nope no CEL is being lit on my car. The tech that was running the smog test said the cat was firing ok. My CO2 was at about 14.8, my O2 was fine. Its just a very small increase in HC and NOX. But thats what I figured at first...I thought those mods wouldnt effect my emissions. Ill end up swapping out the exhaust tip anyway and the intake too. Then ill take it to a test only (fail and its free) site before I take it to the referee. If its still the same ill get a new Cat just to make sure. Im just glad its not more severe, my car is running fine. Thanks for the help.

RE: Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

not in cali... 0 mods are leagal as far as I know.. cali is strict about aftermarket anything. I even saw on TVa cop measuring the height of the headlights from the ground cause they need to be 22 inches over the ground and this kids were only 18 he got a ticket for it

RE: Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

Yeah EZmonz has it pretty much nailed. I was driving below speed limit in light traffic on a 3 lane street at night and the motorcycle cop still had my car marked for death. My muffler isnt even all that loud, more deep. When I went to take my test another guy with a 4-door Civic got a ticket for his exhaust too. Apparently the cops look for the CARB Exempt sticker on exhaust tips.

RE: Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

Where is the best place to find an OEM exhaust system? I found mitsubishiparts.com but they sell the front pipe, cat, intermediate pipe, and muffler all seperate. It comes out to like $1k, which I dont really want to part with right now. Ill have to get a pic of my current exhaust but the muffler is at an angle so just a stock muffler wont fly. I already checked Ebay and the sale/buy threads here...any help is appreciated.

RE: Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

:)gotta love oregon. Thats all i have to say.

RE: Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

Here is what i would do. Just buy the stock muffler, then go to an exhaust shop and have them make the rest of the piping for you.

RE: Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

Have you EGR checked, the front o2. Make sure the TPS is good or it may send the ECU wrong throttle position info, make sure your air filter is clean....I can't think of anything else that may make your emissions faulty, other than a high flow cat. I say that because, you failed the lower speeds and not the higher. I don't think it's the exhaust, I think it's something to do with the sensors and EGR.

Oh and don't forget to check the vacuum lines going to the EGR and just check them all for cracks and whatnot.

RE: Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

Does your motor ping? Does it feel like it's slower than it used to be? If so, then I would say it's the sensors and/or EGR system. If not, then I would say that the cat is bad. Have you put racing gas in your car? If not, the previous owner may have and leaded gas can ruin cat converters. Here's some good reading about understanding the EGR system.

RE: Need info on mods and emissions (small story)
 

Whew thanks for the info, at least I dont have to swap the entire exhaust system. I replaced the TPS with a new one and installed it within specs awhile ago and that made a huge difference. The car idled and accelerated a lot smoother. It lowered the amount of emissions but barely not low enough. Ill probably replace the O2 Sensor too since its cheap and ill take a 2nd look at the EGR system. Im pretty sure the EGR is ok but you never know. As far as the exhaust...do you think I might be able to replace my current Cat with a stock one and leave the rest alone?

As far as race gas...its possible they put some in. I did try that Guaranteed to Pass smog stuff but that made it worse lol. My readings more than doubled, I thought I researched that stuff but apparently not enough. Looks like either way the Cat could be the factor too.