Re: draggy brakes, out, out darned cat!

[Don Hoefer <hoefer@jaxom.eng.pko.dec.com>]

Mike Arman assumes:

> As I understand it, US cars are required to meet federal emissions
> standards for five years/50,000 miles, whichever is first. After that, Uncle
> Sam doesn't care 

No.  The manufacture is required to warranty emissions equipment for five
years/50,000 miles.  It's up to you after that.

> It should therefore be legal to remove the offending cat 

No, it is not.  Test pipes are for "off road use only".  It is
also illegal to sell a used cat.

States that have strict emissions requirements may have cost cut offs
($300 in Mass.?) for exemptions for older cars.  That is, if the car
is more than x years old and emission repairs cost more than y, then
the state will issue an exemption.

Don Hoefer
'82 Coupe