Emissions & Exhaust

I was at a tech. session a few weeks ago and we got talking about emissions and state inspection. In VA. With antique plates you are exempt from state inspection and we do not have emissions testing here in south east VA, thank god. However, the discussion got around to exhaust modifications. My friend with an 80 LE said he had his inspected (For safety and liability issues) and also runs antique plates however he had to add a cat with dual SUs as per state inspection.

As I interpret the law if the car had a cat as o.e. then it needs to be on the car if it is to pass state inspection. The cat could be hollowed out as there is no emissions testing in this part of the state. I once had a '78 Bronco that had cats and the only thing the inspection station cared about was the decal stating the vehicle had cats was in place.I could also hit a mom & pop garage that's favorable to antique cars.

So the question is when I re-do the exhaust do I deep six the cat, register it as an antique and deal whit the police hassles as they've been pretty bad about stopping cars with antique plates around here. Or do I use a high flow cat and make the state happy? Sorry if this is confusing.

I'd use the high-flow cat. The problem in here VA is that the officer who stops you has the option of making you park the car and have it towed home, in addition to the ticket. I found that out the hard way in Winchester a few years ago. Now - having said that, the only time you have a problem is if you're required for whatever reason to have the car inspected. Behave yourself, and it shouldn't be a problem! :D

I've got the '73 licensed on regular tags just because I didn't want to deal with the restrictions placed on vintage/antique tags. Some other VA folks here do otherwise, but why ask for trouble?

I should add: The '73 is desmogged, since I want to put an A/C compressor in the spot where the pump goes. I keep all the smog equipment on the shelf in case I get gigged come inspection time. That's happened once already, so I'm glad I have the stuff.