Moved to California, do I really need to replace my catalytic converter?

06_LJ

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Having issues passing visual smog in CA due to Jeep having aftermarket 49 state cats. Online I have found info that says newly purchased out of state vehicles need C.A.R.B. compliant components, but I am not finding anything about already owned out of state vehicles. Seems odd I would need to replace the cats which meet all MA emission standards and testing just to bring it over the CA state line. Maybe this is just the way it works in CA, but figured I would see if anyone else has experience with this.
 
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Where in California are you?
My cats were clogged. I found a cat not California approved from a guy who moved here to Cali from another state sold his TJ but still had the cats. I paid $100 for it. Put it on last month. I’m going to smog it next week. I don’t believe I will have any issues. I have no check engine light now. Most of the places around where I live hardly even check anything. They normally just open the hood plug in the scanner and check emissions.
 
On another note. I recently replaced my girlfriends cat on her Toyota. When I was searching for a cat I found one online but turns out it was not California approved but I ended up finding the same exact one same part number and everything at a local oriley. The only difference was it cost about two times more. I passed emission with it last week.
 
Where in California are you? I’d try local Jeep shops, maybe they can steer you in the right direction.

LA has quite a few shops, NorCal not as many and more spread out.
 
Smog shop said it wasn't compliant, looked the cat part number up on a state website and said it didn't have an executive order approving that part number for use in CA. I'm in the south bay LA area, so there quite a few shops. I'll try another one and see how it goes.
 
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If you can’t find one by you go here
https://maps.apple.com/?address=1346 Firestone Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90001, United States&auid=6998959266537401848&ll=33.959964,-118.250411&lsp=9902&q=El Tucan Smog Check&_ext=CjIKBQgEEOIBCgQIBRADCgQIBhBlCgQIChAACgQIUhABCgQIVRAPCgQIWRACCgUIpAEQARImKUVB8OlM+kBAMYwqkHVfkF3AOcMWFkZz+0BAQYpc/gKuj13AUAM=&t=m

If you want to wait a couple days I’ll be going here with my TJ with non Cali approved cats. I know he won’t look up any part numbers.
I took my girlfriends Toyota here if he would have looked up the part number on the cat it would have told him it was non California compliant. Like I said above I bought the catalytic converter at a local oriley but if you look up the part number it’s not California approved.
 
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Smog shop said it wasn't compliant, looked the cat part number up on a state website and said it didn't have an executive order approving that part number for use in CA. I'm in the south bay LA area, so there quite a few shops. I'll try another one and see how it goes.

It will fail the visual, carb approved cats will have the number on both sides.

CB141FCD-6CE0-4BEC-B4B3-FB47970BFD1F.jpeg
 
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Also so you know if you get a used one don't advertise it, keep to yourself.
Under Commifornia law: "no used converter can be legally advertised for sale, sold, or installed in California"
 
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If in LA, swing by a few shops with Arabs/ Albanians working there.
Be a decent human being to them, and not a typical American prick who thinks they are better than everyone.
Play dumb, "oh i don't know the rules, i just got here, bla bla, trying to keep this old Jeep on the road... bla bla what is smog test?"
If worker is a decent human being too, he will offer to take a look before running inspection and failing you. That is your chance to make a deal.
Pull out a phone, look for cali cat... "OMG its worth more than my Jeep!... can we work something out?"
Don't be a typical American cheap prick, that worker is there in the same boat with you, and has to make it too.

My advice is relevant to 2015 period. World has flipped upside down since then, hopefully what ever left of decency in LA is still there.
 
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If in LA, swing by a few shops with Arabs/ Albanians working there.
Be a decent human being to them, and not a typical American prick who thinks they are better than everyone.
Play dumb, "oh i don't know the rules, i just got here, bla bla, trying to keep this old Jeep on the road... bla bla what is smog test?"
If worker is a decent human being too, he will offer to take a look before running inspection and failing you. That is your chance to make a deal.
Pull out a phone, look for cali cat... "OMG its worth more than my Jeep!... can we work something out?"
Don't be a typical American cheap prick, that worker is there in the same boat with you, and has to make it too.

My advice is relevant to 2015 period. World has flipped upside down since then, hopefully what ever left of decency in LA is still there.

Sound advice but the .gov has cracked down hard. They are running sting rigs through a lot of shops to try and catch them just skirting the rules a tiny bit so they can shut them down or fine them.

It mostly relates back to the mentality of trying to eliminate anything they don't like. They can't outright ban the ownership of a gas burning vehicle but they can make it as difficult as possible to own one so you'll consider another option and that is all it is about.
 
Sound advice but the .gov has cracked down hard. They are running sting rigs through a lot of shops to try and catch them just skirting the rules a tiny bit so they can shut them down or fine them.

It mostly relates back to the mentality of trying to eliminate anything they don't like. They can't outright ban the ownership of a gas burning vehicle but they can make it as difficult as possible to own one so you'll consider another option and that is all it is about.

yes sir, just like guns ! when you can no longer afford the boooolits the gun will do you no good....they don't need to take them just make it so you cant afford to shoot them any longer.
 
I’m born and raised californian, and I’d like nothing better than to run all those leftist asshole politicians out of my home state.

But I’m outnumbered, so I left. Unless you’re getting huge money there, you might consider the same.

Sorry, done venting. Back to your regularly scheduled programming. 😹
 
I’m born and raised californian, and I’d like nothing better than to run all those leftist asshole politicians out of my home state.

But I’m outnumbered, so I left. Unless you’re getting huge money there, you might consider the same.

Sorry, done venting. Back to your regularly scheduled programming. 😹

Same here