What's up everyone? Come spring I am going to have my whole exhaust system done, but not really sure if I need a down pipe/S-Pipe. Now correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't adding a down pipe eliminate 1 or both CATS on the Scion tC? I have heard mixed opinions on whether or not to buy one. I am also concerend with getting a (CEL). I know some header companies offer a (CEL Eliminator) with their header. Now keeping in mind that I live in Upstate NY and the emissions laws are more strict than other states. I know some shops do a visual check to see if a CAT/s are present, where others do a visual check and do an emissions test by putting a probe in the exhaust. I do know that the stock down pipe is restricting my flow and if I buy a mendrel bent down pipe I am going to increase my exhaust flow and also the diameter is going to be bigger. I don't want to run the risk of not passing NYS emission, plus not to mention voiding my vehicles warranty by having a down pipe installed w/o having a CAT.

Can anyone help me out on this mind boggling decision or explain what the Pro's and Con's are?

Thank You! =)

 

The cat converters on the tC are on the headers and the mid-pipe, not on the s-pipe.

 

the tC has 2 cats. one in the header, than another one in the mid pipe. followed by a resonator, then the muffler. an aftermarket header will remove the main cat, and most aftermarket mid pipes remove the secondary cat.

you could always put in a high flow cat, or hollow out your stock secondary cat so you will pass a visual. a header takes about 15 minutes to change out for visual check aswell.. there are many write ups on the anti-foul aka CEL eliminator mod.

 

a change of header is the only thing that will cause a CEL, i have spipe/midpipe/axleback with stock header and no "anti-foulers" at all and i have no CEL

and you will laugh at the stock spipe, its pretty damm wimpy, lol

 

I have a turbo setup with no cats and I get no CEL with no "anti-foulers" lolz. Replacing just the S-Pipe will not require doing anything different than you are already doing for emissions. If you replace the factory header then yes, you'll fail. The secondary is small and relatively unrestrictive so I wouldn't even bother unless you're going turbo. Keep in mind replacing the header will make your car stupid loud compared to what it is now so choose the rest of your exhaust wisely. My personal recomendation would be to get a Magnaflow cat back exhaust (nice mellow tone), leave your secondary cat alone, get a high flow s-pipe and header of your choice. Raceland makes a nice cheap header/s-pipe combo. That will give you a throaty exhaust without the rasp and rice noise we all hate so much! Best of luck.

 

I should've been more elaborate on my post, but here is what I am doing. I already bought a DC Sport Ceramic Coated Header and a Magnaflow Stainless Steel Exhaust, just haven't installed it yet. I plan on sending the header out to Jet-Hot and have it jetcoated. My concern was getting a (CEL) from taking the stock OEM exhaust manifold off and replacing it with the DC Sport Header. So what everyone is saying is, as long as I leave one (CAT) intact I will be fine? I'm almost 31 years old, been around cars since I was a little kid and have been given a lot of knowledge. Plus I use to work for a few car dealerships and AutoZone. I just never did much research on exhaust.

 

Aftermarket Header = CEL
Aftermarket S-Pipe = No CEL
Aftermarket Midpipe = No CEL

You don't need the second cat, the sensors are before this.

 

Now if I happen to get a (CEL) when I install the DC Sport Header, how would I go about getting rid of it? Is there a (CEL Eliminator) I can buy or a way to by-pass so my tC does pass NYS Inspection? Is there anyone that did get a (CEL) and what did they do to resolve this issue?

 

As long as you use one of the CEL eliminator things (properly), you will pass inspection just fine b/c your car will not show a CEL.

 

I don't believe that DC Sport make a (CEL Eliminator) for their header. Where can I buy one? I know Weapon-R Headers come with a (CEL Eliminator).

 

you don't specifically need one brand antifouler/cel eliminator. I bought mine off ebay for $7 shipped and no CEL for 3/4 yrs now.

just be warned, if you do install a header it will sound like crap

 

i got the anti-foul for spark plugs for like 2 bucks from auto zone, drilled it out with a 1/2in drill bit. then put the drilled one inside of the non-drilled one, then added a second resonator to the mid pipe, beautiful sound, and no CEL

 

x2. Just go to autozone and ask for a spark plug anti-fouler. Get two of them and put them together. Viola! 4 bucks and no CEL but if they do a visual, you're screwed either way. That stuff is waaay too easy to swap out once a year to get your cert. Best of luck.