How many cats are needed to pass emissions on a MS3? Do you need both cats or could I go with a catless downpipe and have a cat wielded in where my RP is now? Will one pass or will I need to make sure I have two?

Your 2009 mazda should be fine for a little while longer. Not sure about the answer to your question though. When do the 2007's need to be tested for emissions?

Number2 wrote:Your 2009 mazda should be fine for a little while longer. Not sure about the answer to your question though. When do the 2007's need to be tested for emissions?

If you don't buy the car brand new you have to get it tested no matter what the year
(Last August I bought an 07 MS3 and they made me get emissions) that's what the DNV told me...

Number2 wrote: When do the 2007's need to be tested for emissions?

If I'm not mistaken, its 4yrs. from the date you purchased..

2007 = 2011
2008 = 2012
2009 = 2013

After that, every two years. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

Yeah if you buy pre-owned you have to take it in no matter what. It's all for the money.

kingtut wrote:If I'm not mistaken, its 4yrs. from the date you purchased..

2007 = 2011
2008 = 2012
2009 = 2013

After that, every two years. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

And this seems wrong. I've only taken my 8 in once for testing. It's an 04. I think I'm due actually for another test this year so It must be every 5 years for new cars for the first test then every 2 yrs after that.

GR-8 wrote:And this seems wrong. I've only taken my 8 in once for testing. It's an 04. I think I'm due actually for another test this year so It must be every 5 years for new cars for the first test then every 2 yrs after that.

This is correct. And no, you do NOT have to be the first owner of a new car to be exempt for the first five years. If you buy a 1 yr old car, you do not have to get it tested until 5 years from the date it was FIRST registered, regardless of how many people have owned the car during that time period. If any DMV person told you that, they are flat wrong.

This link seems to be needed quite regularly: http://www.aircarecolorado.com/NFR%20Info.htm

EDIT: Sorry for the OT clarification, now back to our original programming.

Actually i am not concerned with taking it in now. I still have 2 years left before I have to do that. What I have been trying to research is if I can pass emissions with just a main cat where my RP is and run a catless downpipe? I figure if I keep this car for two more years I dont want to have to change the downpipe out when it comes time for emissions. I would assume when they look under the car they just look for the cat that sits in plain sight? I cannot fathom that the employees have enough knowledge to even get a good look at the DP on the cat.

Almost all catless downpipes replace the "race pipe" portion too and go all the way to the catback. I think the TurboXS is the only one that doesn't replace both pieces. If you're going to leave 1 cat in there anyway, why not just get a catted downpipe and be done with it. Ron (coloskydiver) just passed emissions with 1 cat.