Jen covered most of it but since I was the one speaking with Doug and Andy about this over the weekend I'd like to re-iterate that the following is now the case:

#1. If your ECU reads OBD NOT READY for any reason you are not in compliance and will be disqualified.
#2. If you have a CEL for any OBD related reason you are not in compliance and will be disqualified.
#3. No method of defeating the cat inneficiency CEL is legal.
#4. Andy strongly agrees with this interpretation and does not see my point. He tells me that he thinks the majority of the SEB agrees.
#5. In Andy's words: "Not every car can take advantage of every rule". When I mentioned that the multiple-into-one hi-flow rule was originally for the WRX he felt that we misinterpreted that rule to allow us to be emmissions non-compliant. Interestingly enough Andy told me with a straight face that the rule allowing timing and fueling changes was to allow cars with intakes and exhausts to come back into emmissions compliance not to allow a common after-market modification used to make more power like everyone else on the planet seems to read it.

Oh...While I am thinking of it, if a car passes an emission test...in their own state if applicable...why wouldn't a certificate of such be permitted as evidence of a passed emission test....I threw a CEL on my way to PERU from Florida...it was Evaporative Emission code for the gas Cap..as their is a pressure switch inside the fuel neck that went bad....but it still came up as a 'EMISSION' Code...If my car was in STX/U, according to the rule clarification, could have been protested and my times disallowed...

From Andy Hollis:

The manufacturer may not wish for you to replace cats via the aftermarket, but the EPA allows it. In fact, the EPA even allows substitution of multiple cats with single units, but only under very specific circumstances (verified application-specific sufficiency). Read that EPA link quoted in the recent Fasttrack proposal, and also do some more searching on the EPA site. You'll find a wealth of info there (I did).

Manufacturers can not *require* you to use their parts. They must allow for the aftermarket. The only carrot they have is warranty, and that's what they use for cats. But if the part is emissions legal per the EPA, its ok.

In the case of the Subaru WRX, you might want to check and see if the 3->1 units actually have correct EPA-mandated application-specific labeling on them. That will tell you whether or not they are *supposed* to work as good as OE.

I printed the PDF of the FastTrack but quickly shredded it, ground it to a pulp, then burned it to ash. I finished the first draft of my letter to the SEB but I used the "F" word more than 37 times, so I think it needs a rewrite. Smile

This latest "clarification" (de facto rule change) finally effects the majority of the STU class... the turbo boys. Well look at the sh!tstorm that has caused! Stick out tongue The Strut brace debacle was bad enough, and quickly un-clarified, and this new "emissions" interpretation needs to be dealt the same swift fate. I've been bemoaning TAKEBACKS for over 2 years but now that they are finally starting hurting the turbo cars I think we can come to a consensus. Turbo and Non-Turbo STU drivers... UNITE! NO MORE TAKEBACKS!

We have to put a stop to this. Someone on the STAC or SEB obviously has an agenda, and that is to make ST more neutered than ever before - "reign it in" to become nothing more than STOCK with SPRINGS. This is only the beginning, folks - who knows what's next?? Throw a CEL from a loose gas cap and YOUR GONE! Remove a fog light (even when you can replace the whole freagin bumper cover?!) and YOUR OUTTA HERE! Roll that fender more than some arbitrary amount and you are ILLEGAL! Tweak some ECM parameter than might effect some obscure emissions function .001% of the time and BUH BYE!

The SEB has gone too far this time. Is there a published list of the SEB members? Is there a way to have any or all of them removed from this board? This clarification/re-writing of rules has got to stop.

To Mark SNIPE - why don't you do everyone a favor and keep your personal attacks to a minimum? If you cannot debate a topic on its merits alone you shouldn't post at all - your "Strawman" tactics are getting stale. Thanks.