First, after much research, I am a proud owner of a 1995 Lexus SC400! I would like to thank everyone in this forum for helping make the "right" decision. All the ideas and information exchanged here were priceless in the decision making process.

Now to the question:

I've done research and became interested in converting my SC400 to true dual exhaust. However, the 1995 model (or my particular variation) has a 3 catalytic converter setup.

To do this, I would need to remove the center converter and replace it with an X pipe -- then branch out to dual exhaust. However, I want to remain legal in New Jersey. I cannot find any information to make a "best guess" estimate whether the car would still be legal.

Maybe I am simplifying things too much but shouldn't two cats be enough (for non-california emissions)?
Has anyone tried this before? Any opinions?

Any help would be appreciated!

 

I removed mine and bolted the JIC cat back up to it- however, I havent been tested yet- I will be in july- and will share then.

Rob

 

Thanks - if you have time, please post the results once you go through inspection.

It seems older and newer models have two cats and a resonator down the center. Cannot imagine how two cats wouldn't be enough. Maybe my model was "California Ready" or something -- that I could understand.

Anyway, thanks again.

 

also awaiting my inspection in sept, surely will share results. since im in NY it mite be closer to NJ inspectons, my 92 only had one cat in the middle which i removed and am runnin on two resonators.

 

Thanks -- please let us know.

 

Bump...

 

not july yet

 

Bump.
Bump..
Bump...

 

I guess that is one good thing to living in OKlahoma - no inspections!!

I have the dual exhaust so I would be interested in knowing how it does in emissions tests.

Peace,

jonny

 

Humm -- so let's see. So far, OK and FL do not require emissions testing. Hey, since we're thinking of relocating to NH, any inspections up there? Anyone?

Anyway...
If I ever get the conversion done I will defintely post the results. After NJ inspection, you receive a printout with the different gas/emissions levels of your vehicle and what the state requirement is. Mine seemed to be way, way lower than required. Probably because of the three cats.

It's not flunking inspection that worries me... It's the possible fines and the cost of reversing the job!
Me wimp.

 

No emission inspections in NH as of right now, but I hear that they are thinking of bringing it back.

 

That's good news -- for now.

Thanks.

 

So, anyone try removing that third catalytic converter and pass inspection yet?

 

I'm pretty sure only cars that actually had the third convertor were those bound for California, so if your car has been on the East coast for all of it's existence, I would take another look at that thing and make certain it's not a just a resonator like what came on my car and many,many others.
Mine was oval, smooth,with welded end caps.
You can take apart the flange pretty easily, and just look throught the thing also; the resonator is straight through, like the rest of the entire system.
I removed mine, connected the two pipes in front to the two in the rear, put in a short crossover in the front, cost $60, sounds great, passes smog.

 

could someone without a third cat please post their smog results? i'd like to know how the car does without that third cat, if i can still pass california smog within a reasonable margin then i may just go and get rid of it, but if i need it to pass california's standards then i guess i'm stuck.