do i need a catalytic converter?

KG4PAM · 01-28-2003, 08:15 PM

would i need a catalytic converter(s) on a non-california, 304, '75 cj5? i live in north carolina. thanks! jairus

rustyCJ · 01-28-2003, 08:27 PM

do you have to pass emissions where the jeep will be registered? the jeep I am driving/fixing now hasnt had a converter on it since i before i bought. granted i dont know the exact laws on this but i highly doubt any cop is going to crawl under your jeep and check to see if its there.

ImNotRyan · 01-28-2003, 09:41 PM

well here in FL, ive had many a vehicle with no cat, including my 79 CJ-5...

check your local laws regarding emissions.

CSP · 01-28-2003, 10:48 PM

A '75 originally equipped with a 304 would have had a catalytic convertor. If it came with the 258 or 232 it wouldn't have had one. Under federal law if the vehicle was originally equipped with a cat, it always has to have a cat. Just depends on whose rules you want to follow.

KG4PAM · 01-29-2003, 07:26 AM

thanks for the replys. the jeep will be registered in a non-emissions county, it only has to pass the nc safety inspection. the reason i ask is that since i swapped the 304 and have the title from the '75, i might accidentally mix up the VIN numbers between '81 and '75... i guess to be on the safe side, i will find a catalytoc converter somewhere and tack it on for inspection in july. does the cat have to come before the muffler, or can i put it behind? thanks again! jairus

MR.CJ-7 · 01-29-2003, 08:57 AM

My kitty's "fell off" mine a long time ago and it passes emissions where I register with no problems.

CSP · 01-29-2003, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KG4PAM
since i swapped the 304 and have the title from the '75, i might accidentally mix up the VIN numbers between '81 and '75...

Huh? You had better be sure that the title you have has the same VIN as the VIN plate on the Jeep. The inspection/emissions places look at the plate when determining what the required equipment is, not the title.

KG4PAM · 01-29-2003, 04:21 PM

they look at the plate, huh... they didnt lift the hood on mine, maybe the VIN is mounted in a place unbeknownst to me.. nothing an 1/8" drill , some rivets, and a black magic marker wont fix... thanks again!