I failed emissions yesterday. I know this topic has been beaten into the round, and I did a search. I know that if I got a new cat, I would most likely pass without a problem. I am going to attempt to go the low budget way though, and was wondering if it would work. The car is bone stock, so if I clean the air filter, clean/gap the plugs, and put the "emissions pass" additive in the gas, what is the likelihood that I will pass. I am not that far off, as seen above.

Thanks in advance.

--Dave

 

it might pass with all that but if i were you i would just get a high flow catilitic converter (46.39) from catco at summitracing.com it would probably be easier in the long run.

 

Get it hot, and get it lean. You might pass.

 

yeah thats what i was going to say, try to overheat it a little bit to burn off those hcs

 

Try to put some tape somewhere around the air intake to slow down airflow. But be sure to take it out right after. Like drive for 2 minutes, then take it off after the test. Is all you smog equipment intact?

 

All my smog equipment is in tact, but it is stock, including the cat (I think). When I went to test the car, I drove it there and then sat in the lanes for about 10 mins. By the time the car went take the test, the temp guage was over 220. I thought that it was hot enough. Guess not.
I have two more tests, so for the first one I am going to try the cheap street, if that doesnt work then I'll have to spring for a new cat for the second test.

As far as leaning out the car, I am not exactly sure how to do that. Would I have to adjust the timing?

Any help is welcome and appreciated. I know you guys are probably getting sick of hearing the same ole questions.

--Dave

 

Sitting in the test lane for ten minutes may have raised the coolant temperature, but the exhuast flow was probably so low that the oxygen sensor and converter cooled off to the point where catalyst was not at or above 1,600°F when you hit the treadmill.

There's also a good chance that the ECM was dropping out of closed-loop mode when the oxygen sensor cooled off. When in open-loop, the mixture goes rich, and that could have built up in the cat converter.

Rev the engine periodically while in the test lane to keep the cat hot and O² sensor active so you stay in closed-loop mode.