Help needed with exhaust / emissions
 

I just dropped off my 2003 P5 at the dealer this evening to get my exhaust system checked as it has completely rusted out. I bought the car used with 14k miles. The original window sticker was in the owners manual and has the address of a dealer in the Boston, MA area, but the car was purchased in Florida. The cause of the rust is probably either road salt or salt from the beach, but my arguement to the service mgr. is that no part of a car with only 24k should rust out completely and that it should be covered under the warrenty. The service mgr. also said that my car has California emissions equipment. What is different on my car than a 49-state P5. Does a California car have less HP and torque; and will 49-state parts fit on my car? There is nothing on the window sticker about California emissions, CARB, etc. Keep in mind that I live in Mississippi, so I could pretty much run straight pipes with flame throwers and the police wouldn't mind, so anything I can remove to improve power I would do. ANY imput on my problem is much appreciated.

I would advise you to purchase a full performance exhaust and drop the emissions garbage....also, NEVER GO TO THE DEALER FOR ANYTHING!!

If you're interested in an aftermarket exhaust check the vendor section, I'm doing a GB on a shorty header and DP now and I'll be doing a high-flow mid-pipe soon also. You could then just add your choice of cat-back for a full race exhaust.

no one finds it odd that a car sold to a MA dealer has CA emmisions and was sold in FL with only 14K miles? kinda weird...but then again, it could have been someone's that was in the service.

Several states in the northeast get cars with CA emissions packages- I believe it's CT, NY, and MA, so it's not a surprise to find that at all. I bought my '99 Miata from a dealer in NY and it has the full CA emissions package.
Chris

ahhh...ok

isn't it federal law that all emmisions related equipment is warrantied for 50,000 miles? i think i remember reading that in a manual somewhere.

Only the catalytic converter counts as emissions equipment- the pipes themselves don't.

yea in MA the newer cars have to have the california emissions or as we call it here NE emmissions cuz its fora a bunch of the new england states :) BUT ur exaust shouldnt be rusted through! lived in MA all my life and i know that rust dont eat though metal THAT fast they should really cover it
PS if u live in one of them emission strict states it aint smart to put an exaust system on ur car passing inspections can be a total bitch! unless u have connections and them are hard to come by!

I thought emissions were 100,000 miles now, hence the advent of the 105K mile timing belt. (done supposedly because folks could argue for free timing belt replacements since that could be flimsily argued to be part of the emissions system. I guess if it goes out of timing it would surely faila smog test, if not blow up!) BTW the Ca. emissions cars did have same 130 HP. Not sure exactly what is different about them.