Exhaust upgrade street legal in WA

lobsterhat · 05-07-2003, 06:20 PM

I decided I would start doing some slow mods on my '03 wrx sedan and I thought I would start with a new exhaust system. The TurboXS Turbo Back Exhaust looks pretty good, but it cuts out one of the 3 cats which I assume makes it not street legal. I would like to get the most power I can out of this upgrade and will gladly spend the money to do so. So, what's the best street legal exhaust and who really gets you in trouble if you have an illegal setup? Where I live, they don't do any emissions testing so if that's the only place you can get caught, I don't know that I would even worry about it. Any info would be appreciated.

jwtarbaj · 05-08-2003, 12:25 AM

The decision to remove the cats is yours. If you don't have any type of vehicle inspections then you should be fine. Keep in mind ubaru will most likely void your warranty if you do. It is illegal to even REPLACE a functioning catalytic converter. Federal Law. I believe there are a couple turbo back kits available that do incorporate one Hi-Flow Cat. If you are concerned perhaps that would be the way to go.

Gomer · 05-08-2003, 12:54 AM

After market exhaust modifications are legal in WA. My friend actually went to court and legalized them so here are the laws that he passed if you would like to take a glance.

http://students.washington.edu/mwa/

-Brady

jwtarbaj · 05-08-2003, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gomer
After market exhaust modifications are legal in WA. My friend actually went to court and legalized them so here are the laws that he passed if you would like to take a glance.

http://students.washington.edu/mwa/

-Brady

The law in the state of Washington is nice. However, it still cannot overrule the Federal Law that states you cannot remove or render inoperable an emissions control device from a motor vehicle and that you cannot REPLACE a working catalytic converter.

http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/caa203.txt

Of course if it's for off-road use all bets are off.

Gomer · 05-08-2003, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jwtarbaj

The law in the state of Washington is nice. However, it still cannot overrule the Federal Law that states you cannot remove or render inoperable an emissions control device from a motor vehicle and that you cannot REPLACE a working catalytic converter.

http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/caa203.txt

Of course if it's for off-road use all bets are off.

I know what you mean with that law. I guess the best advice I can give is to just keep the law print out for Washington in your car as its pretty easy to tell WA cops about the law and show them (I've done it myself). I've never been bugged about no cat, they've only stopped me for having a modified exhaust which I got out of.

-Brady

lobsterhat · 05-08-2003, 01:39 PM

Thanks for the input, I will have to stew over this for a little bit and make my desicion. Does anyone know the scope of the penalties for this law? Will I be sent to a federal prison for life or will they just fine me a few bucks?

jwtarbaj · 05-09-2003, 01:23 AM

There is a pretty hefty fine for illegal removal or replacement. Go to an exhaust shop. Most have a sign on the wall saying "if you don't ask me to remove your cat I won't ask you to pay the $XXXX fine"

I am thinking it was at least $1000 but not sure.