Jeep Wrangler PCM and module repair and replacement

Pennsylvania PA Catalytic Converter Laws

MrBClark

MrBClark

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
Mar 30, 2019
Messages
300
Location
Montoursville Pennsylvania
My Jeep has the P0432 code and I plan on replacing the front cats. Already tried the 02 Sensor (NGK brand). At first it was the sensor, but once that was fixed, it showed the code for the cat. I plan on replacing the pre cats. Does anyone know the laws in PA for the rear cat? I really want to gut it, but keep the housing there so it looks like I have one. I think they only check the gas cap and a visual emissions inspection in PA, but does anyone know for sure?
 
MrBClark said:
My Jeep has the P0432 code and I plan on replacing the front cats. Already tried the 02 Sensor (NGK brand). At first it was the sensor, but once that was fixed, it showed the code for the cat. I plan on replacing the pre cats. Does anyone know the laws in PA for the rear cat? I really want to gut it, but keep the housing there so it looks like I have one. I think they only check the gas cap and a visual emissions inspection in PA, but does anyone know for sure?
Click to expand...

It differs slightly by county, but where I am (Lancaster) all OEM emission parts have to work. Any CEL code will fail you for emissions.

If you can gut it and have no codes set then you'll be ok. They don't do a sniffer test. Just make sure it's not obvious or they will fail it for that.

One possible solution, if you have less than 5000 miles on it since last inspection you are exempt from emissions testing.
 
WallyWest said:
It differs slightly by county, but where I am (Lancaster) all OEM emission parts have to work. Any CEL code will fail you for emissions.

If you can gut it and have no codes set then you'll be ok. They don't do a sniffer test. Just make sure it's not obvious or they will fail it for that.

One possible solution, if you have less than 5000 miles on it since last inspection you are exempt from emissions testing.
Click to expand...
Yea it must be different where I am (Williamsport Area) cause i passed with 5 CELs :) The rear cat will not cause a code either, and it will appear as if the cat is still there. Only way they may know, is if they use a sniffer. Worse case scenario is that it wont pass later this year and i just put a new one in. I was told by several people that they will only do a visual check, and mine would look normal.
 
As long as they dont use a sniffer, you can gut cats and get away with it.

I use HpTuners to disable rear o2s, but Jeeps are one of those oddball vehicles that Hp doesn't work on, so instead just grab some spark plug anti-foulers and install them where the rear o2s are, and reinstall the o2s on top of the anti-foulers. It'll fool the ecu into thinking the Cats are present and functioning.

Here in MA we dont have a visual inspection, so those things get thrown in the woods.
 
It is illegal under federal law to permanently remove any emission components from a vehicle.
 
It is illegal to gut it in the state of PA. Emissions testing likely won’t notice it missing, however. I replaced mine when I replaced the front catalytic converters because there is no real performance benefit to removing/gutting a modern catalytic converter (and also because I personally think it would be unethical to do so).
 
Steel City 06 said:
It is illegal to gut it in the state of PA. Emissions testing likely won’t notice it missing, however. I replaced mine when I replaced the front catalytic converters because there is no real performance benefit to removing/gutting a modern catalytic converter (and also because I personally think it would be unethical to do so).
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Yea the main reason I want to gut them is to get rid of the rattle coming from it (and louder exhaust). I would agree with it being unethical, but the Jeep already has 2 other cats. Greta can come and get me if she is mad. Plus the area where I live allows for the cat to be gutted as long as the housing is still there (I think).
 
I ended up buying a catalytic converter set from Magnaflow. It wasn’t the cheapest option, but it came with all 3 cats and was already welded up for a bolt-in install. Simply remove the O2 sensors, unbolt it from the cat back and the manifold, and swap it out.

It works with vehicles with California emissions and even for vehicles registered in California.

Magnaflow cats have basically the same performance as a test pipe:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/catalytic-converter-face-/
 
Steel City 06 said:
I ended up buying a catalytic converter set from Magnaflow. It wasn’t the cheapest option, but it came with all 3 cats and was already welded up for a bolt-in install. Simply remove the O2 sensors, unbolt it from the cat back and the manifold, and swap it out.

It works with vehicles with California emissions and even for vehicles registered in California.

Magnaflow cats have basically the same performance as a test pipe:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/catalytic-converter-face-/
Click to expand...

There is no longer a Magnaflow cat and as far as I know any other aftermarket cat that is C.A.R.B. certified. California SUCKS!
 
Federal law has exceptions. Older than 1996 and more than 50k miles. Or newer than 1996 and more than 80k miles. So basically everyone here.

In PA drive less than 5k miles per year and you are exempt from testing AND from restrictions on what kind of exhaust you run. I know several guys with Corvettes that run straight pipes and pass inspection every year.
 
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CodaMan said:
Not "unethical" illegal.



Not a chance.
Click to expand...
Yea well speeding is also illegal, but most people do it every day, and get no punishment unless they go way too fast. Most older Jeeps only have 1 cat. I would still have more then them. Apparently you know more about the laws in my county better then everyone else who has lived here and been a mechanic here their entire life.
 
WallyWest said:
Federal law has exceptions. Older than 1996 and more than 50k miles. Or newer than 1996 and more than 80k miles. So basically everyone here.

In PA drive less than 5k miles per year and you are exempt from testing AND from restrictions on what kind of exhaust you run. I know several guys with Corvettes that run straight pipes and pass inspection every year.
Click to expand...
The official rules for my country require a gas cap test, and visual. If I keep the housing, I can pass. If they miraculously see that there is nothing inside of the housing, I will just a new one in.
 
MrBClark said:
Yea well speeding is also illegal, but most people do it every day, and get no punishment unless they go way too fast. Most older Jeeps only have 1 cat. I would still have more then them. Apparently you know more about the laws in my county better then everyone else who has lived here and been a mechanic here their entire life.
Click to expand...

I never said that I know anything about your county, I'm just saying what the federal law is.
 
and take it from a person who received a $500 fine for removing a catalytic converter on a non-California vehicle, but do what you want.
 

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