What Cat back systems have passed massachusetts inspection and what station did you use?? (interested in western Massachusetts)

Any cat back system that has passed C.A.R.B. should work. I'm thinking out loud here, but it seems to me that your ECU and the catalytic converters have more to do with handling/reducing emissions than does the exhaust system after the catalytic converters.

I was not worried about emissions, but more about noise level!

I have not had any problems with my inspections yet. I have the AEM and Volant exhaust. I wouldn't thin there would be much of a problem, unless you were running straight headers and exhaust with no cats.

I've had a Flowmaster cat back on since 04 and haven't had any issues at inspection time.

With the new laws they told me mine was too loud this year. WTF.. Now I have to take the damn thing off and put up my factory one for the test. LOL unless anyone knows something else. Maybe leave the pipes from the cats and rig up a OEM muffler and tailpipe. Nahh I still have the factory one, I guess I know what I am doing one of these days.

Somebody sells a cone shape device that sticks in the tailpipe and quiets it down, without much affect on power. It is supposed to be a safe item, seen listed here a long time ago. ???

Somebody sells a cone shape device that sticks in the tailpipe and quiets it down, without much affect on power. It is supposed to be a safe item, seen listed here a long time ago. ???

But loud vehicles are half the fun :D.

You *should* be fine. Most catback systems don't affect emissions stuff too much. As long as your cat (or cats?) stay nice and hot during operation, you are fine.

If sound level is the problem then adding a resonator after the muffler might help but swapping everything from the cats back to stock would be the easiest.

How do they test the sound level? I would think they would need a decibel meter to objectively test it.

Actually I do not know how they checked it aside from the manager coming out and taking a look. The crappy deal was that I was told "I love it , looks great and sounds awesome... but with the mass laws it is too loud. My manager had to come out and look and said it was loud. Come back with your original and well pass you , then go back home and swap it out.. " WTF!

If you're looking to go with an aftermarket exhaust, I'd stay away from the following: BANKS, BORLA, M/F, FLOWMASTER.

I'd consider JBA & GIBSON. Both are relatively quiet, plus you get the added power & fuel economy from an aftermarket exhaust.

Regardless of your choice, let us know if we can be of assistance.

Have a great rest of the weekend!

John

What Cat back systems have passed massachusetts inspection and what station did you use?? (interested in western Massachusetts)

Maybe add the Volant to that list seeing they didn't like it here in Mass either. I like it, but the hassle comes with it.

After checking into this, I believe the Corsa may also be an option. They pride themselves on their exhaust note. Especially not having a drone.

If interested, we're running specials on Corsa until 11.2.08.

Good luck with your inspection.

John

I've had no problem with my Borla(I've had it on since 05)just did the inspection 2 weeks ago in Oxford MA it is actually nice and quiet untill you get on it it and then its not to loud no issues with the exhaust or my 4" performance lift they questioned my tint as it came up as 32% but once they cleaned the window it came up as 36% (35% is legal) and my front plate was on with zip ties they said it need to be bolted on and they had just recently come back from the new inspection training.

Dude....I thought CA was bad....I'd hate to have to go through that type of inspection. I may have missed it throughout the thread, but how often do you need to go through that type of inspection?

John

Every year.

I was concerned for my MD bi-annual emiisions inspection, but all they did was hook up the OBD. They checked gas cap, but didn't do the usual mirror check for the cats. MD is not known for noise control, except on the street, and that is rare. I have JBA Headers too.

To say a vehicle is "too loud" without a sound level meter at a fixed distance from engine or tailpipe and in an open field, is just plain wrong. :(

Borla; I had forgotten about them! They do have a nice mellow sound. Very impressive, unique maybe. :)

You might want to get in touch with SEMA through SEMASAN. SEMASAN has contacts in each state for problems like yours. SEMASAN has pushed legislation in nearly every state for objective metered decibel testing. In NJ, inspection stations inspect OBD-II vehicles only by checking to see if the "check engine" light works and that it is not on.

Dragging this back to the front, I ended up putting on my factory exhaust. What a *****. I had to cut and drill out the holes and remount the factory one. Pain in the ***. Now I have my volant sitting in tha garage and my wife saying she will kill me if I put it back on. LOL Damn Mass state inspections! Funny thing, the exhaust is still kinda loud when I get on it, but that is because one I have an intake, and two I am sure I didn't get them tight enough at the cats because it was freaking cold out. Of course I passed after all that crap. I'm still pissed at the ford I see in the parkinglot with the Banks on it, of course that is an employees. WTF