Catalytic converter

RICKY HELMS JR

MEMBER
2009 CHEVROLET COBALT
2.0L
4 CYL
TURBO
FWD
MANUAL
93,000 MILES

My stock down pipe has two catalytic converters but the second one is after the o2 sensors so it is pretty much pointless. Can I have a pipe welded in its place and pass inspection/emissions and just have the first one since it controls my emission. I live in Pennsylvania.

8 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

Positively not. It is against Federal law to modify that system in any way and removing a converter is a big time problem. Just because a converter is not monitored does not mean it does nothing.

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Wednesday, June 8th, 2016 AT 2:53 PM

RICKY HELMS JR

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4 POSTS

Pretty much if I want more performance I should just get an aftermarket down pipe that is made with just one catalytic converter to avoid federal law issues.

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Wednesday, June 8th, 2016 AT 3:38 PM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

No. That is a modification that breaks Federal law also.

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Wednesday, June 8th, 2016 AT 3:44 PM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

Read question 7 in this image.

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Wednesday, June 8th, 2016 AT 3:47 PM

RICKY HELMS JR

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I am confused because every car I owned including this one I changed the exhaust and never got in trouble for doing so because as long as it has some sort of muffler it is fine now maybe the converter is a different story, but I still question it because there are a ton of people I see with there entire exhaust switched out for aftermarket parts and they pass and no issues. But the converter I was just questioning I let it be but the rest I do not get since if it was federal law for now exhaust tampering why do so many people every have it done and never have federal issues?