So I am sort of pissed off, I have a new GT Haus mid pipe trying to go into a GSF. The top rated muffler shop near me refused to put in the pipe when it was a lift. They told me its against the law to take out Cats. Few shops I called around wont touch it too, Seriously; since when this is an issue. I made the appointment couple of days ago and I waited there as well, I feel like should have done my homework. I don't feel like jacking up the car and going under, its a simple bolt on. I installed the exhaust myself seems like I might have to do this install too.

I am very curious to the folks with cat back exhausts here ..you guys had no issues with install?

 

No performance shops around you? Even if they specialize in another brand they'll probably take your money to do a bolt on.

 

called couple, they are closed at least nearby. I need to drive an hr or so for good ones plus I need to get the stock pipe back which I don't think it will fit in the car.

 

I found the same situation in Richmond VA. That's why the Manufacturer states "for offroad use only". Most performance shops will do it with the same disclaimer. Good luck.

 

Since it's removing the secondary cats, technically it is against the law to install it. Sounds like a good DIY. The PPE midpipe has secondary cats. Is that an option? Or have someone weld in some high flow cats on your GT Haus midpipe?

Steve

 

The law is written as "it is illegal to remove a working catalytic converter" which seems ludicrous because there are plenty of maintenance tasks that require removing catalytic converters at least temporarily. The unfortunate thing is, it's a Federal law and carries a huge fine if the shop gets caught doing it, so most reputable muffler shops won't touch it. But I can tell you without question when your starter Bendix fails, you'll be pulling off the passenger side header to remove the starter and fix it, and that header has the primary cat in it. It's definitely not a small job, I did it on my IS F and it definitely took some effort on jackstands.

 

want to keep the pipe as is and the pipe, pipe has 2nd cats that good. probably will get their headers down the road.

 

you are right, they all told me its against the law, pretty much the 5-6 shops within the 15 miles radius won't do it either. I did however found a shop in the other city and they are ready but booked for a week out. So I made an appointment and will wait.

 

I'm baffled that you would complaint publicly about business's that are complying with the law. I won't judge you for wanting to break a law personally (many of us have) but to expect others to commit a crime for you is just plain fill in the blank.

 

Hmmmm. The local Lexus dealership installed my Apexi Mid-pipe.

 

to be honest I had no idea it's against the law. I have many friends in other states have the same setup installed by dealers. I figure its a catback pipe so its after the cats. So yesterday after taking time off from work and spending 2 hrs in the shop and being told that can't be done when the car is on the lift was upsetting. I called and explained what I wanted gave the car/year made and even the pipe details. (this shop was recommended by car enthusiasts locally and does custom exhaust work) so hence my frustration

 

Perhaps you just need to work on how you communicate because the OP was clearly a different attitude that I was commenting on. Now, this post makes you sound completely different and I wouldn't have made any comment if you had made your OP like this. I wish you luck and enjoy your upgrade.

 

its ok, I was outside of the shop on my phone when I made that post. For a moment I was thinking this guy was giving me a hard time because they were complaining about more work that originally asked. they were saying its not just a mid pipe and hence would charge me more money; maybe more than 2 hours job. 95/hr, I was adamant its just the mid pipe, and would be a simple bolt on + would take me not more than an hr if had a lift.

Their attitude changed to its against the law pretty quickly afterwards and they can't cut any cats out (they weren't cutting anything out technically) etc etc. Also the catalytic converters looked like resonators to me, they aren't large or have heat shields on like I remember. As I said if I knew that these cars have 2nd cats I would be have made sure the shop can do the work.

 

Selling cats, installing cats, and removing cats is illegal in some states. See if there is a DIY Garage in your area.

 

^^^^^Go back and Read Post #6 - It is against FEDERAL LAW - Now that is not say some of us don't do it. I certainly removed mine (I have GESI Hi-Flow cats) in my PPE DM exhaust and no cats in my headers. But, technically I am breaking the law - and I have been breaking the law as regards to catalytic converters going back to 1976. That's 35 years.

Lou