What is the penalty for having a Race Header with no Catalytic Convertor ?

Jail time ?
$10,000 fine ?

I notice that on some website(I think FC or FS) they make you sign some release form if you buy the Race Header because it's supposed to be for track only from what I can tell.
Not street legal...?

Also, does a Race Header like the FC or FS throw a CEL ?

Regardless if a state has emission testing or inspection, I thought it was the law that all motor vehicles on US roads/highways must have Catalytic Convertors.


The reason I bring this up is that I'm thinking of getting a Race Header since you get better gains than a shoty header/high flo cat but I don't want to be fined for not have a catalytic convertor. Also, if you have a 2.3L, they only have Race Headers for them.
I plan on installing the stock header/cat for emission testing.

Originally posted by microtonal
What is the penalty for having a Race Header with no Catalytic Convertor ?

Jail time ?
$10,000 fine ?

I notice that on some website(I think FC or FS) they make you sign some release form if you buy the Race Header because it's supposed to be for track only from what I can tell.
Not street legal...?

Also, does a Race Header like the FC or FS throw a CEL ?

Regardless if a state has emission testing or inspection, I thought it was the law that all motor vehicles on US roads/highways must have Catalytic Convertors.


The reason I bring this up is that I'm thinking of getting a Race Header since you get better gains than a shoty header/high flo cat but I don't want to be fined for not have a catalytic convertor. Also, if you have a 2.3L, they only have Race Headers for them.
I plan on installing the stock header/cat for emission testing.

Just dont get caught or you will be in some serious trouble. Also dont get in a wreck either. If they peek in your engine bay and see no converter. Then you really done yourself in. So is it worth the fine and jail time? Nope not for me.

I would also like to find out the consequences. The one that I'm more concerned about is if I bring my car in for service, say, an oil change... What are the chances that they will see the race header and report me?

We have been thru this before, yes havin no cat is illegal. Chances are they won't be making a emissions legal hi flow cat for your car anyway. I think the FC cat for the zetec isn't even legal.

Like he said, don't get caught.

Another penalty. The air we breath. Your engine is designed to run with a cat. Without it it is really dirty. I for one want all the clean air I can get. Do the world a favor and keep or replace your cat.

This is what I want to get.
$325(FR shorty header)+$299(RT Hi-flow cat)=$624

But the savings of about $300 on getting the Race header is my delima.
Race header = ~$350+

I don't want a race header if it can send me to the jailhouse for not having a CAT.

It's also illegal to replace the stock cat before so many miles. I think it's 50,000 or 80,000.

I know.

Click here (http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5561)

80,000..I have had the pleasure of and still do..The shorty header and the race pipe..I put the high flow on for inspections and have never failed it yet..For the most part they are just impressed with the set-up. There may be some gains in the scavanging side of the race header(2-3hp) but I like the option of five bolts and a cheater to the full header.

Another penalty. The air we breath. Your engine is designed to run with a cat. Without it it is really dirty. I for one want all the clean air I can get. Do the world a favor and keep or replace your cat

That is if you believe the lies of the environmentalists.

I don't think there is jail time, the fine can be big, but chances of getting caught is pretty slim. I really don't think in an accident they will sit around wondering if your cat is there. with the new engines electronic controls and fuel injection, alot of cars will pass the sniffer without a cat. It is the visual inspection that would get you. In Washington I don't think we have a visual do we?

Nope. Just put your car on the machine, check the idle(I think it has to be less than 1K ?) and emissions coming out the tailpipe. We have to do this once every 2 years.