OK, I’m an old stick-in-the-mud with an older prospective, but I don’t understand why there’s no protests or negative comments around here in threads regarding the use of test pipes. We all know they are illegal in all 50 states as they replace a vehicle’s catalytic converter and therefore foul the air. The very name “test pipe” is a sham. Sure, they may be OK for track use, but the threads I’ve seen clearly show the posters are intending their use for everyday driving. I’ve never seen a post where the user drives to the track, installs the test pipe there, and reinstalls the catalytic converter for the drive home.

And yes, I understand we allow discussions on other illegal mods like tints darker than a state law allows, but test pipes seem to be in a different category. They are so injurious to our environment in an age where widespread efforts are being made to clean the air we all breathe, I would think that’s where we would draw the line. Am I wrong?

 

I guess being out there on the left coast it could seem like a big problem, but around here and other states where they dont have emissions tests no one really cares. I see trucks and old beater cars all the time with dumped exhausts and stuff. Technically any exhaust mod you buy says "for off road use only" along with headlight bulbs, and tons of other mods. After all this is a car enthusiast forum, I dont think things would go over well if car guys couldn't talk about putting exhaust components on their car.

 

Typically, the types of threads that are prohibited here on the forum are related to pubic safety. Threads regarding street racing, hacks for watching video while driving, Nav hacks, etc will always be prohibited for obvious safety reasons.

I completely understand what you are saying about test pipes, and yes a line needs to be drawn somewhere, however we don't want to be too restrictive on the type of threads that are allowed to be posted. I definitely understand the point you are making though.

 

Should've bought a hybrid, or a bicycle.

 

Valid point Checkov. However I think of it as maybe the forum ownership's view as being that they're concerned with issues that could involve them with legal liability and not issues of morality as to which laws they choose to uphold and which they choose to ignore.

Nobody is going to sue IB because a vehicle emits too much pollution but might name them as a defendant if a poster were killed street racing and they were allowed to post about doing it here beforehand and it was allowed. That's just how I think of it anyway.

 

Test pipes are illegal because your modifying the catalytic converters not because it emits more toxins and CO2 in the air... There are alot of other things out there that emit as much CO2 and toxins in the air then a G37 with test pipes. If you want to save the earth get a 0 emission vehicle.

 

I may be wrong but I thought one removes the catalytic converter to install a test pipe, not modifying it at all. And in regard to other things out there that emit CO2, I don’t think you can justify one bad thing by pointing out another. That argument has never made sense to me.

Now I understand why we allow discussions of illegal mods where the consequences usually have the potential to only harm the owner. But as a poor example of a modern day Don Quixote, I would like to believe that we can be a car enthusiast without the narcissism and disregard for the environment that seems to prevail regarding the use of test pipes. I’m disappointed that no one has ever mentioned this issue before. But so be it, I’ve had my say and that’s it.

 

Fight the good fight Chekov!

I personally wouldn't go with test pipes for a number of reasons but I have high flow cats. They emit more emissions than regular cats but still filter out a lot of it. I really do understand you point and I think it's valid, but where do we draw the line? Some intakes are illegal in some places but they don't add to pollution. Should we disallow discussion and sales of them on the forum because Cali hates them? Is your argument legal vs illegal or polluting (allegedly) vs good for the tree hugger crowd?

 

I’ve given up the legal vs. illegal argument around here for awhile now. It never seemed to convince anybody. Nor am I a tree hugger. But I do try to live as a good citizen with normal regard for others. I would hate to think my actions contributed to someone else’s poor health, even in a small way.

 

It baffles me as to why you purchased a G37 in the first place. Why did you not go for a Prius or somesort of eco friendly car?

 

You’ve been sarcastic before about my age and owning a G37. Why does it bother you so much?

 

Where have I mentioned age in my post? All I was implying is that you complain about mods done to the G37 on a enthusiast site where 99% of the members here really care less about smog or CARB, and the one percent that do care about your opinion are just being nice. So that brings me to my question, Why on Gods greeen earth did you buy a G37 if you are so worried about the eco system?

No G37 , So do the right thing, and get rid of it for a different car.

 

Unfortunately, that is not possible mate.

An Internal Combustion Engine burns fuel and releases all the emissions it does, the OEM catalytic converter is nothing but a restrictive piece of metal there that chokes the engine and makes it perform less efficiently.

Pro's:
1) Free's up a nice number of horses for it's price
2) Mated with a nice catback and some resonators, could yield a sexual exhaust note (one a sport car should sound like)

Isn't that what every car enthusiast wants?

And besides, poor folks in Canada could use some global warming they're freezing their nipples off

 

lmao at Sam's comment about Canada.

 

Sam,
Now I know you have test pipes on your car so I don’t want to get personal in any way. But I still maintain G37 owners can be car enthusiasts in many ways without fouling the air we all breathe any more than it already is. Perhaps it’s a real challenge to us enthusiasts (yes, I consider myself one too), but there must be other ways to achieve enhanced performance without disconnecting the catalytic converter and spilling more hydrocarbons into the air.

BTW, I’m not much of a believer in global warming. I think man can do little about it, if there is such a thing.