performance question

[CaseyVR6]

2000 Jetta VR6, 5sp, 180,000 mi.
I'm probably going to have to replace my cat, and wondering about a high performance cat. I'm wondering...

1. Will it screw with the computer and the o2 sensors?
2. Will it pass California emissions inspection?
3. Would the performance cat be a waste without headers too?
4. Still have stock muffler, will that be a problem?

Thanks for the help!

[boschmann]

Most manufacturers state whether their cats are "street legal". As long as its a three-way catalyst, not a cheapo 2-way it should pass.

[CaseyVR6]

the cat I'm looking at is a "CARB cat"... what does that mean? The company assures me it won't throw up any check engine lights, but they said nothing about passing california's smog inspection. Any ideas?

[veedubmechanic]

Dont waste your money on a "performance" cat, the factory manifold and cat are good enough.
California has a "special" cat because the have "special" emission standards so If you get a non-california emissions cat then your check engine light will come on andyou will fail emissions.


Doenst it suck to live in california!

[CaseyVR6]

That really sucks a bit for us, but it seems not to make much sense. I moved here from NY, and my car has passed emissions with a NY cat on it. How would that work? My thinking is that any time I have to replace a part on my car I'll put something better on it than came off. Shocks, cat, muffler... anything that has a cousin in the "performance" family I'm opting for. What's your input? Good idea/shooting myself in the foot?

[boschmann]

CARB is the California Air Resource Board that controls emissions, therefore it should be okay.