Hey all. This question is directed towards the PA folks. I have several mods on my car, one of which is a catless downpipe. I have a DNA stage 3 tune that eliminates the CEL for the O2 sensors. I took my car to get its annual inspection today and it failed emissions due to the absence of a cat, and the O2 sensors not reading correctly. What can I do to correct this issue. There is a spacer on the 2nd sensor. I wasnt sure if removing it would make it any better or not. I would prefer to not put the stock downpipe on just to pass and then take it right back off an hour later. Any help or shop suggestions in the SEPA area where I can get my stickers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Without permission to mention the shops name, I'm alittle tentative to do so. However, there is an outstanding Mini Cooper shop in the philly area that might be able to give you some insight as to how to deal with it. But since you have a DNA tune and not what they have, not sure how they would handle it. The shop does do outstanding work tho.

 

You don't need permission to mention any shop, unless they've been banned from this forum.


Besides, Helix is actually a NAM vendor.

 

Also as a PA resident your pretty much going to have to find a sticker slapper or re-install your cat and drive till the ecu resets the pend code. Your tune only blocks the cel lamp not the code pending. I deal with swedish motors in Marietta, good people and they will answer your questions, but will not sticker slap. A free flow cat will pass visual inspection, but code issues may arise, there you have to extend the sensor and hope for the best.

 

you could move out of pa, like i did..

 

I checked on this same issue years ago that led me to do I hi-flow cat as a distant second option. From what I've learned so far, PA will ONLY allow you to do catless if the car is only driven less than 5K a year and obviously your mileage will show upon inspection so there is no way around it.

Call around, I do know there is a performance shop in Lancaster off Marticville Rd. pass the apple orchard farm right on your right if you're headed to Kendig Square. You won't miss it.. there is a huge ¨dyno¨ sign on their building.

Best of luck!

 

PaScrambled is correct, the DNA Tune only stops the Cel from appearing on the dash but is registered in the ECU and it will show up on the inspection. First thing testing stations do is check for CELs via OBD2 port, this is why you got failed. The only way to past is to remove your cattless DP and install the OEM Catted DP and drive it until CEL is no longer showing up as a issue. Then smog it, pass and re-install cattless DP.

 

I don't like every law or regulation in the USA, but lessened emissions is right up at the top of the list for good ones.

FLAME AWAY

 

 

Hahaha Minnie and Yashmack I'm with you guys.

OP, if PA law is anything like CA, any shop that gives you a pass when you have intentionally disabled a critical part of your emissions control system is going to be out of business pretty fast and have heavy duty fines to pay. So good luck finding such a shop because why would they risk their business for you when they can keep on charging everybody else the market rate for an honest test.

Sorry but no sympathy from me. Put your catted downpipe back on and stop polluting. There are plenty of other cars out there that have more HP stock than you will ever get out of a Mini engine, and without polluting like you do without a cat. If you really have to have 250+ HP then go buy a Subie or a Golf or even a Focus ST.

Like Minnie said - Flame away.