CA - Buslab says Subie conversions need new Catalytic converter?

[fxr]

I've just been informed by Buslab that the converter that was used on previous Kennedy conversions is no longer legal, and has to be changed out for a different model.

Can this be right?

We've just had SMOG denied (not actually failed) because the shop couldn't find the fitted cat on their system. That's the same cat that was passed by BAR eight years ago, and has sailed through ever since.
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[zerotofifty]

Try another smog shop, see if they will pass it. Of course it probably should be a california legal unit, the fancy expensive type. It might be helpful to bring your 8 year old BAR certificate to the smog shop, showing it passed. Although california type catalysts have been required for a while, that as far as I know only app,ies to new installs, if you have an old catalyst that still works, you should be ok.

[fxr]

I've now found the 'codicil' to the Kennedy exec order, which specifies the cat I've got fitted. So now my SMOG station will accept it and pass the van.

So it seems to be a load of bollocks that previous conversions have to have a new cat fitted in order to pass.
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[rmengr1]

Which engine are you trying to get passed?

[Abscate]

Buslab usually gets this stuff right. CA does not treat smog stations playing games lightly, as in massive fines and a robust inspection system.
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🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🍊 🍊 🍊

[termuehlen]

Every few years Kennedy has been updating their Executive Order with a new cat as the old specified cat becomes "no longer available". The last update was in 2019 to version 4 of the order (D-428-4). More info here:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Without a bar sticker, you are at the mercy of the smog shops. They will inspect using the latest Executive Order. At a minimum, I would expect they might want some proof from you that your conversion dates back to a time before the most recent order. If Kennedy ever stops updating the executive order and the cat becomes nla, I don't know what will happen.

My observation is that every year the smog check just seems to get a little more restrictive.
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1988 Westfalia automatic Subaru OBD1
1986 syncro tintop wbx

[fxr]

I have a BAR sticker, my EJ22 was fitted by Buslab in 2016, it has the correct cat for that iteration of the executive order, i.e. Airtek 58834, EO D-428-3 dated 21st April 2014.

I was still told by Buslab that I should change out the cat. I call FUD.
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[syncrodoka]

If you cat fails you need to use the new version. The new CA cats are pricey but they seem to do a better job too.
A smog guy was giving me problems about having a non laser inscribed cat on my truck. I showed him the new hardware and seals to fix an exhaust leak and the rust on the old cat and I passed visual inspection and went onto the actual test portion.

[fxr]

[joethebeekeeper01]

Unless your Cat failed or the wrong one was installed there is no reason to replace it. Part number 81101 is CARB compliant.

[fxr]

[markswagen]

l've had to replace a couple of good working cats with the new updated cats much to the unhappiness of my customers.
l'm not sure why, but it's happened at least twice.
a refusal rather than a failure
_________________
markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310

[termuehlen]

[fxr]

And - the owner of the local Smog shop was working this morning, and passed the van with "flying colours". He's been in the business since the year dot, and confirmed what we all here thought - if the cat was correct when fitted, it's still correct even if superseded on later systems. He guessed whoever I spoke to at Buslab had got the wrong end of the stick.
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[syncrodoka]

Good to hear it passed.