Does y-pipe affect aircare?

SunMax · 09-23-2008, 05:30 PM

Last week after I installed the y-pipe, I noticed there are some burning smell. This week it seems went away. Weird.

I am wondering, does the y-pipe affects the aircare?

choiiiiiiiiiii · 09-23-2008, 10:28 PM

pollution?

yes it does affect it. eliminates precats.

*JSMax* · 09-23-2008, 11:49 PM

the smell you noticed... was your pipe brand new?
If so I am betting that it was left over crap from the manufacturing of the pipes.
Precats are placed where they are because they are supposed to light up faster and start removing harmful stuff from the exhaust eariler. They get up to optimal operating temp faster than the main line cat. Just due to position.
Hope that helps answer your question.

SunMax · 09-24-2008, 12:32 PM

No, it wasn't new. I bought it used.

So, is that means I should worry about my next aircare?

*Bonka* · 09-24-2008, 03:02 PM

You're fine! Just make sure your car is warmed up fully.

To ease your fears I easily passed with headers/y-pipe/b-pipe/muffler

Shoey1 · 09-24-2008, 04:03 PM

if your pipe was installed by a mechanic he probably used a little dab of high temp silicone/sealant on the gaskets that might be the smell

SunMax · 09-24-2008, 04:34 PM

Guys, thanks for the reply. Now I can sleep peacefully.

I got it install for ~$90. Not bad consider the other shop wanted me to drop the car off for the whole day and charge me 2 hours of labor ($85 hourly).

*BlackCat* · 09-24-2008, 05:18 PM

Before I hit AirCare I would drive on the highway for 10 minutes one way and then head back for the test. I've noticed a very slight increase in numbers but always lots of room to the limits.

96blkonblkse · 09-28-2008, 11:17 PM

Yeah, The precats are desigend to reduce emissions while the main cat is being heated up to operating temperature. Basically with the lack of pre-cats you would fail aircare if you just hoped into the car and drove 5 minutes and ended up there. I dont think you live that close anyways. Your suppose to have your car up to operating temperature before you go anyways, so the lack of pre-cats is not really a problem.

Oh and FWIW..dont worry, being a 98, all they do is check for ECU codes, they dont run your car on the dyno anymore.

*MerlotMax* · 09-30-2008, 12:19 PM

What year car? If it is OBD2 ('96 on) all they do is plug into the ECU and check for codes as opposed to sniffing the tailpipe. If you are in a sniffer car then 96BoBSE is correct, just get it warmed up well.

I had no issues at all with my pipe. The front pre-cat is taken out with the y-pipe but the rear is still in. The O2 sensor for the front pipe now screws into the rear pipe to trick the ECU.