This is probably beaten to death…but… I could get a really sweet deal on a catless downpipe for the wrx, but I would be getting rid of one of my cats. I would still have the center cat (correct me if i’m wrong) and mufflers obviously, so would I pass the sniffer test?
Yes.
The center one is still there and depending on the year wrx so is the one in your uppipe.
:word:
Bump for this one - two questions:
- are they still doing the sniffer, or have they gone completely over to OBD II checks?
- would the state care if an older car (say, '94/pre-OBD II) was running catless? My '81 doesn’t go through emissions 'cause it’s a diesel, so I was curious.
They only check your cars computer.
If your not throwing a code your ok.
My vette doesn’t have cats at all and I pass all the time. 
Thers actually 3 parts to an inspection on 1996 and newer
- safety
- OBDII
- ECD (emission control device-this is a visual tamper check)
Alot/most shops dont realize this. and only do #1 & #2
anything 1982 (and 2008,2007) and earlier is Safety only there are no emissions required/checked. Do keep in mind this is for NYSI. It os still illegal to remove emissions devices from your car regardless of te year. But then this is monitored by Federal EPA (clean air act 1990) and i havent seen any epa guys looking at anyones cars. With the exception of calloway corvettes a few years ago