Exhaust emissions questions help in Arizona

[arizona7.3]

Hello everyone, Owned my powerstroke for almost a month now(lack of knowledge)

1. I found out in Arizona we have to go through emission testing every year on our diesel trucks.

2. I assume I have a cat and cannot be removed then to pass the test. I got a sheet from last years test and it appears that they test emissions out of the pipe! This sucks BTW....

3. I wanted to get a full 4 inch turbo back from diamond eye or mbrp but I assume I will not pass a visual if I have no cat? Can I put our oem cat on the turbo back setup or is it a swap out every year to the oem exhaust just to pass emissions?

4. Looks like I can only get a cat back system???

Please give me some advice on this subject. The turbo back exhaust systems are cheaper than the cat back??? I would like to install my oem cat on the turbo back exhaust from diamond eye or mbrp if this is possible??

Thanks for reading my problem hopefully you guys have experience and/or solution? I wanted to get exhaust to lower egt, I figure it can only help longevity to the engine??

[Sbrown]

Don't worry about it. I live in Phoenix and just had my truck tested. They did not do a visual inspection under the vehicle. The ONLY thing that they measure is the 'opacity' of the exhaust (how much it smokes) and the limit is 40% ... my truck has 430k miles on it and passed with 1.6%. The test consists of a governor check (pin the throttle for 2-3 seconds) and then rev it up to 3k and let off three times. Removing the cat has no affect on the amount of smoke your truck makes and if it was like my truck, removing it will cause it to smoke less since mine was completely plugged up...got better mileage too!

[arizona7.3]

I also wanted to ask you if I need to take my intake off? My first mod was a napa filter (riff raft) filter sock/elbow intake. Do I need to put my stock intake box back on??

thanks again Floyd in Surprise AZ

[Sbrown]

I really doubt it...as long as it passes the exhaust opacity test i think you're set. The tech guy did have me pop my hood but didn't even look at the intake he kinda made it look like he was doing something but really wasn't. HA. I'm not sure if there is a testing station up in Surprise but down here in Goodyear there is a testing station on the south side of I-10 that is NEVER packed and you're in and out in less than 10 minutes.

[Sbrown]

Go to the following link and click on the 'wait times' link and it will show you the current wait times of all the local emissions stations!
Faster Emissions Testing! Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

[bruce51d]

mine passed oppacity test in washington makin 465 horse, as long as you don't go up there in a smoke tune you'll be fine

[7.3Lariat]

Depending on the year you may not even have a cat. Mine didn't so I got the full turbo back exhaust. I have to smog every year here in CO as well and it passes just fine even with everything I have done. I just put it on the stock tune on the way to the smog place to make sure it is all clear.

[arizona7.3]

Ok you guys got me convinced to get the turbo back system. I am thinking 4 inch all the way back. Diamond eye or mbrp kit. Do you guys recommend no muffler or muffler??? Is it super loud without a muffler??? Lots of drone on the freeway?? Thanks.