From: bqueiser@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Brian J Queiser)
Subject: Re: Q: how do i know if i need a new catalytic converter?
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 18:37:07 GMT

damong@wpi.WPI.EDU (Damon F. Gentile) writes:
>cka52397@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Chintan Amin) writes:
>>kenny@osf.org (Kenneth Crudup) writes:

>>>See what happens when Eco-Nazi's and overzealous greenies take over? There
>>>is absolutely no reason a BMW dealer or independent shop couldn't have done
>>>that work.
>>>
>>>Stupid assholes. There ain't enough money in the world to get me to move
>>>out to one of those greenhead states out West. (Good thing there ain't no
>>>spotted owls out here in Mass, or I'd go out and shoot one right now.)
>>>
>>>p.s. - of course, now that I've thought about it, this could have been pro-
>>>paganda- why couldn't he have sold it in another state without green-shit-
>>>for-brains lawmakers, who would allow the cat to be retrofitted?

>>   Uh, Kenneth, did you ever think that maybe the Government of the
>>owner's state has an eye out for the safety and health of not just the planet
>>but the states residents?  And as I remember, the law is a FEDERAL STATUTE,
>>so it applies in Boston too.  I have NO sympathy for any asshole who, to
>>drop 1/10 sec in 0-60 times, removes the catalytic converter.  Oh, and BTW,
>>good use of the word "ain't", it makes you look even more credible...
>>Notice the absence of ":-)'s".

>Nope sorry there big guy.  I have a 74 with a converter on it, and my
>converter has had it.  So, I'm just going to get me a header that totally
>bypasses the catalytic unit altogether. TOTALLY legal here in Mass, and last
>time I checked, Massachusetts was in the US.  Emissions requirements you ask ?
>sorry... don't have to even get tested on em.
>
>Think of me with a 12% increase in horesepower and faster 0-60 times when
>you start to choke and gag.
>
>After all, my converter isn't doing anything now anyway. =)
>
>cough cough hack wheeze carbon monoxide in the breeze !

Well, I could be wrong, but I think that it is pretty much the same way
everywhere else in the country.  To my knowledge, the Fed only requires
manufacturers to meet emissions specs; they don't require them to put on
cats.  They also require them to give 6 year (or something) warranties 
on emissions equipment.  I think the state/city picks up from there.
Not all states have emissions inspections.  Here, in Ohio, only two
counties that I know of require emissions inspections (Cuyahoga and
Hamilton, I think).  I think states usually impose a law that requires
dealers and independent mechanics to replace emissions equipment if it
fails; in other words, they can't put a test pipe on for you, but
you can do it yourself.  In fact, isn't it only California that keeps you
from putting high-performance chips and the like in your car if it messes
with your emissions?  I always took "not legal for use in some states"
to mean CA and maybe Oregon or something.

My personal opinion is that it hardly matters if one guy in thousands
takes his cat off when it dies.  He is still putting out less emissions
than his neighbor who drives a junker, *and* he gets better mileage and
saves gas.  I think the greenies really have their priorities messed up
or they're too blinded by this passionate fixation of their's to see
straight.  Plus, they make fun of our grammar.  What's up with that?  
Take it to rec.autos.grammar.prissy.  Sheesh.

Regards,

Brian

bqueiser@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am the engineer, I can choose K.
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Department of Engineering Mechanics
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
Newsgroups: rec.autos