Imagine your Toyota Supra GRMN with the BMW’s S58 engine going faster than ever! The best part is that you can unlock the full potential of this mighty engine with a single upgrade. Doesn’t it sound amazing? In fact, this is possible by upgrading to a catless S58 downpipe for your engine. With this single upgrade, you can unleash a speed monster on the road.
But, it is legal to drive a car with a catless downpipe on the roads of the US? You must know about the legal aspects of the upgrade to avoid any trouble on the road. So, before you jump to the upgrade, let’s see if it is legal or not.
What are Catless Downpipes?
Downpipe upgrades mainly come in two major variations: Catted downpipes and catless downpipes. A catless downpipe is the engine part that connects the turbocharger with the rest of your exhaust system. The downpipe is called “Catless” because it has no catalytic converter.
The reason is simple, without a catalytic converter, no obstacles are binding the free flow of exhaust gas. As a result, your turbocharged engine is able to breathe more efficiently with no back pressure on the turbocharger. So, your turbocharger spools faster, offering increased horsepower and torque. In addition, you also get a sharper and more responsive throttle experience with a loud, aggressive, and sporty exhaust note.
All these advantages from a single upgrade sound too good to be true, right? Don’t worry; this is not a myth, but there is a catch.
Legal Framework in the US
In the United States, the legality of catless downpipes is governed by federal and state emissions regulations. As a vehicle owner, you must have a clear understanding of these regulations for a hassle-free road experience.
The CAA (Clean Air Act)
The Clean Air Act or CAA is the foundation of air quality regulation in the US. It gives authority to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to set standards for vehicle emissions. The target is to protect the environment and public health.
According to the CAA, you can not remove or tamper with the emission control devices of a vehicle if it comes with one. The problem is that emission control devices include a catalytic converter. That means you can not remove or modify the original catalytic converter of your vehicle. Plus, the CAA gives authority to the EPA to enforce these regulations and impose penalties.
Federal vs State Regulations
The federal law sets the baseline for emissions standards, but the individual states have the authority to implement stricter regulations. For example, look at the emission law of California. There is a stricter emission standard in California compared to the federal law. Other states can follow California’s rules, like New York, Colorado, and others.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
There are 3 possible penalties for violating the CAA by upgrading to a catless downpipe.
- Fines: If you are caught driving with a catless downpipe on the roads, you may face a fine. It can range from 500$ to 10,000$ or even more. It depends on the state and severity of the violation.
- Vehicle Impoundment: In extreme cases, the police can impound the vehicle until the emission system is changed to follow the rules.
- Repair Order: If you are lucky, you may be required to reinstall a catalytic converter or replace the entire catless downpipe with a legal alternative.
So, the CAA and EPA make it loud and clear that you can not use a catless downpipe on the roads of the United States. You may ask, then, why should I upgrade my downpipe and cause legal trouble? Well, it is because there are some exceptions to these rules.
Off-Road Use Exception
Although it is illegal to drive a vehicle with a catless downpipe on public roads, you can still use them off-road. That means you can use catless downpipes in race cars or track-only vehicles. But, the manufacturers and sellers have to act responsibly here. A catless downpipe must come with a disclaimer stating that the downpipe is for only off-road use.
If you wish to drive your car on public roads, you can go for a downpipe with a high-flow catalytic converter. They might not unlock the full potential of your car engine, but you will get a significant boost in performance. Plus, it will allow you to drive your car on public roads without getting you into any trouble.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, a vehicle with a catless downpipe is not legally allowed on public roads in the US. This is because the emission from catless downpipes voids the CAA emission standards. You will face the consequences of fines, impoundment, or repair order as a punishment. However, it is fine to use catless downpipes for race cars or track-specific vehicles in off-road driving.
