BillJ

Do any of the aftermarket guys (Fabspeed, Awe, etc) make a quality cat that is also street legal? Sites are a little confusing and hoping that i can go aftermarket instead of again with the stock part. I have searched a bit and not able to get a definitive answer.

SH || NC

I don't think there is any legal attribute assigned to aftermarket catalytic converters. The state only requires that you pass the OBD2 plug-in check during the state inspection.

My Fabspeed setup causes no inspection or emissions issues.

HTH

onefastviking

Call Mike at AWE-tuning.com (site sponsor) he can tell you if legal or not, they are very helpful and honest. I know many people that do use their cats/exhausts systems on street cars which have no problems with passing an emissions test.
Hope that helps,

BillJ

Thanks guys - these two companies seem to be the leading contenders for me.

There is also MaxSpeed that trades on ebay a lot and they do offer pretty good prices - anyone work with them? They will end up bring about $600 less for the cats and muffler combo, but wondering if it is worth it given time in market/rep. Thoughts?

wwest

Aftermarket CATs are only illegal, visual inspection, in California.

peavynation

Yep, that's CA's crappy crap laws in action. Has to be stock parts or CARB approved for it to pass, even if the mods make it run cleaner out of the pipe!! You would be forced to take it off and make it hurt the environment MORE for it to pass. Freaking bass ackward state...

BillJ

Okay cool so as long as they dont throw a CEL, then shoudl be good to go. Great news. Anyone try those MaxSpeed units or should i just go with Awe or FabSpeed?

John@Fabspeed

Hi BillJ, PM sent with some information about the differences and member discount.
Thanks,

Patrick E

Hey Bill, did you paint your center console?

BillJ

yeah had the guy that did my bumpers do it. Looks good. You can see it Saturday.

BillJ

Was that in response to the PM i sent you on Friday or just after you saw this thread? Will check it out.

RockSS

In Calif. NO after market CATS are legal. Even moving the location of the cats is illegal. PITA State!
Tony C

peavynation

++++++1

onefastviking

I would go with AWE over Fabspeed or MAX. What I have seen from Max is cheap stuff, get what you pay for. Some people havn't liked the sound of the Fabspeeds so I would suggest trying to listen to some, at a minimum they are available as sound clips on the internet, or better yet in person before you pull the trigger.
I am sure both Fabspeed and AWE could suggest some possible customers that might let you hear their cars if they live close by.
As for my personal taste in which sound I prefer, I like the AWE units for mufflers and cats. I also like their quality better.

garrett376

This is a shame because the stock cats don't last very long! They seem to make it just out of the warranty period then the upstream catalyst breaks free and rattles around!