Does anyone know whether it's possible to swap out exhaust components (either axle-back or cat-back) on LEV/NLEV 3rd gens? I have a 2000 ES NLEV 1.8L 120 php (makes 2 less php cuz of the NLEV). I inquired about the bosal california cat-back and this is the response I received from Bosal:

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The federal kit is a 3 piece system and the CA. is a 2 piece system. My suggestion is to not change the exhaust because you might trigger off a check engine light. Most low emissions vehicles are very sensitive to any type of changes.
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Is this true, and should NLEV owners stick to the stock exhaust because of this issue? I'm sure there are some 3rd gen owners from CA, NY, or other LEV states, so I would appreciate any input. Thanks,

-Drew

 

the cat-back is fine in CA as far as I knnow. im gonna get one

 

toucci: that's what I don't understand. I thought that CA has the most stringent emissions standards in the country, please correct me if I'm wrong.

If they specifically designed a cat-back system to work in the state with the most stringent emissions regulations, why would the guy from Bosal say what he said? Wouldn't the CA version of the Bosal in fact work wih ALL Proteges, or am I missing something here?

-Drew

 

If it is CARB (California Air Resources Board) certified then you can almost guarantee there will be no ill effect to your car (installed correctly) and definitely not to your emissions. CARB certifications are only given if emissions are equal to or less than the stock vehicle. California is definitely the most stringent, with New York and a couple of other states coming in close.

 

The exhaust has nothing to do with ULEV, NLEV, LEV.

Make sure you don't take you CAT's off and your fine.

You might get into noise problems in California.