Tirebiter

My 02 TT failed emissions check here in Colorado due to the installed AWE exhaust with high flo cats. It passed last go round, so there must be new regs or enhanced awareness of non-stock items. They were looking for an EPA certification stamp on the cats and could not find one. The question is, has anyone else experienced this SNAFU and short of putting the stock system back on just for an emissions check, how was it resolved? Alternately, are there other systems available (Tubi Style? or ??) that would pass the physical inspection?

Thanks,
Brock

rmc1148

Did you go to the same local as last year. Here in Pa we take it to shops as In De I took my cars to state inspection centers, how is it done there? If I had stock I would put it on for inspection and yes I know its a pain have had to do it myself.

wross996tt

Just had mine done with Europipes...no issues at all.

Tirebiter

Yes, I took it to the same state inspection center. They could tell by looking at it that it had high flow cats. So even though it passed the emissions test with flying colors, it didn't have an EPA blessing stamped on them and was failed because of that.

"02996ttx50

pretty soon everyone/everywhere....

quick968

So what exactly does that mythical EPA stamp they refer to look like? Not even the stock exhaust or cats have any sort of EPA stamp on them other than Boyessen and the part number. We have a pretty tough set emissions test here in AZ but there's no requirement for the components to be "EPA certified". Best you can manage usually is a "CARB" sticker.

Mikey

"02996ttx50

i think thats what he means. carb reg #. they are asking for them on visible aftermarket parts. my exhaust was tuv certified but that isn't gonna help necessarily. i dread rolling into those testers.

Tirebiter

I will do some more research with the local independent shop...betting that I am not the only one who has been rejected. Frankly, I was amazed that the women who were manning the mirrors knew that the cats were hi flow...well trained to give non stock cans a hard look or lucky guess, not sure. They said something else interesting that I will follow up on, they asked if whether or not I had a "warranty" on the exhaust and that if I did, they would pass them. They couldn't explain to me what the term warranty meant...

I REALLY don't want to go back to stock...

Tirebiter

Answers to some of the above can be found here:

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/factshts/catcvrts.pdf

"02996ttx50

yeah, we're ******.

rmc1148

I would change out my test pipe on my 928 for stock at inspections time = a pain but the price/time to play.

Drew959

You could try going to a different emissions location. The one in Boulder is annoying and I've had more success and a better experience elsewhere. I passed 10 days ago with my europipe stage 2.. I don't think they looked for any stamp or sticker; just ran it, passed and I was on my way.

docwyte

Contact AWE and ask them to provide you with the copies of the info for the cats. That's all the station is looking for. If you can prove that the cats are EPA certified/49 state legal and the car passes the test you'll be fine.