986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post - Please Help

sd_boxster · 10-06-2009, 04:33 PM

I assume the cheap headers have no cats. Catalytic converters are technically called 3-way catalytic converters - they reduce the following three things from your emissions:

Carbon Monoxide
Hydrocarbons
Nitrogen Oxides

I'd reinstall the OEM headers, drive for a while to ensure all is emissions-ready, and try again.

In CA (I believe) a check-engine light is an automatic fail - I don't think they'll even sniff the exhaust. If you disconnect the - terminal of your battery to clear the check engine light, you may have to do a fair amount of driving to get the car emissions-ready. Google 'boxster emissions drive cycle' or similar search terms to see if you can find some tips on how to get emissions-ready with the least amount of driving.

Many OBD scanners have an emissions-ready check to see if the computer has enough data logged to be ready for smog testing. If yours has this feature, it can help take some of the guesswork (and $$$) out of wondering if you're ready to try again.

10-06-2009, 04:33 PM	#2
sd_boxster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 434	I assume the cheap headers have no cats. Catalytic converters are technically called 3-way catalytic converters - they reduce the following three things from your emissions: Carbon Monoxide Hydrocarbons Nitrogen Oxides I'd reinstall the OEM headers, drive for a while to ensure all is emissions-ready, and try again. In CA (I believe) a check-engine light is an automatic fail - I don't think they'll even sniff the exhaust. If you disconnect the - terminal of your battery to clear the check engine light, you may have to do a fair amount of driving to get the car emissions-ready. Google 'boxster emissions drive cycle' or similar search terms to see if you can find some tips on how to get emissions-ready with the least amount of driving. Many OBD scanners have an emissions-ready check to see if the computer has enough data logged to be ready for smog testing. If yours has this feature, it can help take some of the guesswork (and $$$) out of wondering if you're ready to try again. __________________ 1999 Carrera 4 • Aero kit • 4" UD Pulley My Corvette doesn't leak oil... it sweats horsepower. Last edited by sd_boxster; 10-06-2009 at 04:38 PM.