Rules for Replacing Converters
In 1986, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued new guidelines for the construction, efficiency and installation of aftermarket catalytic converters. All CleanAir converters listed in this catalog have been designed, tested and manufactured to meet this policy.

In addition, CleanAir converter listed in this catalog is appropriate for use under the current requirements of the California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.).
E.P.A. guidelines state that replacement converters may be installed only in the following situations:

1. The vehicle is missing a converter
2. A state or local inspection program has determined that the existing converter needs replacement
3. Vehicles manufactured prior to 1996 must have more than 50,000 miles, and a legitimate need for replacement must be established and documented
4. In cases of OBD Il-equipped vehicles (1996 and later), the O.E. manufacturer's 8-year/80,000-mile warranty must have expired and a legitimate need for replacement must be established and documented.
Please note that Federal law prohibits removal or replacement of a properly functioning O.E. converter.

When replacement of the converter is appropriate (as outlined above), the E.P.A. further requires that:

1. It be installed in the same location as the original
2. It be the same type as the original (i.e., two-way, three-way, three-way plus air/three-way plus oxidation)
3. It be the proper model for the vehicle application as determined and specified by the manufacturer
4. It be properly connected to any existing air injection components on the vehicle
5. It be installed with any other required converter for a particular application
6. It be accompanied by a warranty information card to be completed by the installer.

Replacing or Removing a Catalytic Converter
Always know the federal and state laws that govern the removal or replacement of a catalytic converter on any vehicle, no matter what you may use the vehicle for. A lot of people will replace the converter with straight pipe or after-market exhaust pipe. According to federal law, catalytic converters may not be removed and replaced with "converter replacement pipes" by any person. The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments even prohibit private individuals from installing "converter replacement pipes" on their own vehicles. Anyone who installs such pipes would violate the Clean Air Act. Some may think it's okay to remove a converter if they are offroading, but the law still provides you with the guidelines to follow. All manufacturers certify each engine and chassis configuration meet emission standards and cannot be de-certified by anyone for offroad use.

When replacing your converter, always use a reputable muffler or exhaust shop or a dealership to make the proper repairs or replacements. These shop owners and dealership owners will not take a chance of being shut down just to make a quick dollar.

Reasons for following the catalytic converter laws
According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), there are laws and rules to follow when replacing your catalytic converter. The rules and laws are strict and should always be followed. And though the laws vary from state to state, the federal guidelines stay the same. Businesses that ignore these guidelines can face fines and/or the loss of its business permits and licenses. The EPA has the ability to shut down the business for non-compliance to these laws, rules and guidelines.

If you take your vehicle to a muffler shop or exhaust shop to get the catalytic converter removed,(without another being installed), by law the shop can't help you or perform the work because no vehicle is allowed on the road without a catalytic converter. If you're already missing the catalytic converter, they still may not help you for fear of losing the business license or being shut down. Most states require an emissions inspection now and a vehicle without a catalytic converter will not pass this inspection. Most federal guidelines state that replacement converters may be installed only in the following situations:

1. A state or local inspection program has determined that the existing converter needs replacement
2. Vehicles manufactured prior to 1996 must have more than 50,000 miles and a legitimate need for replacement must be established and documented
3. In cases of OBD Il-equipped vehicles (1996 and later), the O.E. manufacturer's 8-year/80,000-mile warranty must have expired and a legitimate need for replacement must be established and documented.
(Note that Federal law prohibits removal or replacement of a properly functioning O.E. converter).

Some muffler shops or exhaust shops will replace a perfectly working converter for profit, even thought the law states otherwise. Other laws and guidelines state:

1. It is installed in the same location as the original
2. It is the same type as the original (i.e., two-way, three-way, three-way plus air/three-way plus oxidation)
3. It is the proper model for the vehicle application as determined and specified by the manufacturer
4. It is properly connected to any existing air injection components on the vehicle
5. It is installed with any other required converter for a particular application
6. It is accompanied by a warranty information card to be completed by the installer. These laws and federal guidelines are put into place for a reason.

(3) No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the engine of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle, and it shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle not equipped as required by this subsection, or which has been amplified as prohibited by this subsection. A court may dismiss an infraction notice for a violation of this subsection if there is reasonable grounds to believe that the vehicle was not operated in violation of this subsection.