02-20-2023, 03:39 AM
It's not illegal to remove a catalytic converter (unless you're stealing it).
It's illegal to drive on a public road without one. It's also unenforceable unless one lives somewhere there is emissions testing, and the penalty is that you fail the emissions test. Some states (like California) have stricter laws that can result in steep fines but it's highly unlikely someone is going to check for a cat during a routine traffic stop without good reason.
So in finding a shop that will straight pipe the exhaust system, it might be necessary to include that the vehicle will be used for "off road use only". (Hint hint).
Most cars have 2-4 O2 censors in the emissions system that will throw out errors if the cat is removed, so unless the vehicle was made prior to 1997 removing the cat will cause the check engine light to be on forever. I don't know if shops can or will fix that.
It's illegal to drive on a public road without one. It's also unenforceable unless one lives somewhere there is emissions testing, and the penalty is that you fail the emissions test. Some states (like California) have stricter laws that can result in steep fines but it's highly unlikely someone is going to check for a cat during a routine traffic stop without good reason.
So in finding a shop that will straight pipe the exhaust system, it might be necessary to include that the vehicle will be used for "off road use only". (Hint hint).
Most cars have 2-4 O2 censors in the emissions system that will throw out errors if the cat is removed, so unless the vehicle was made prior to 1997 removing the cat will cause the check engine light to be on forever. I don't know if shops can or will fix that.