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Forum > Out of State Vehicle > Question

Federal Emission Vehicle with Aftermarket CAT in CA

MagnaFlow 93208

Dynomax 55014

Dynomax 17512

I'm moving my 2000 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 with federal emissions and an aftermarket Magnaflow cat. It is the "standard" type catalyst, part number 93208. Because the jeep passes a different set of inspection criteria in Washoe county, Nevada I have concerns when a California STAR smog check is performed. I understand that simply by bringing a federal emissions vehicle into California, I will not be automatically forced to retrofit the jeep's federal emission controls to California configuration. My question centers around the individual discretion of a smog tech.

How likely is this "standard" Magnaflow converter to raise a flag?

Is a tech very likely to feel safer by deferring the processto a smog referee because the converter is simply not a California ARB part number?

My Jeep is in excellent condition, and has passed every Nevada smog check (OBDII diagnostic port exams), and visual visual...but this is not an indicator of how California ( Nevada County) is likely to treat my vehicle's case.

Answer:

Your vehicle should pass the California smog check upon the smog technician verifying that the vehicle is in fact federal emissions certified and the aftermarket catalytic converter is a federal emissions certified CAT, designed for use on the vehicle. The vehicle must not have any tampered emission components. The smog technician should not be alarmed of the fact the CAT is federal, since the vehicle too is federal. Advise the smog technician that your vehicle has an aftermarket federal emission CAT and that the vehicle is a Federal emissions certified (49-state legal) vehicle prior to the smog test. There should be no need to visit a smog check referee. If you find a smog technician unwilling to pass or inspect your vehicle, seek assistance from another smog station. The Dynomax muffler and pipe will not cause a smog check issue since they are located downstream of the catalytic converter. posted by SmogTips Support

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