Hello I have a 2004 s10 blazer and I need to purchase a catalytic converter, how do I tell if my vehicle has California emissions? I live in New York.

 

Being that you live in NY, you dont need to worry about Cali emissions. if you lived in cali, then you would have to get the cat that is approved by the state.

 

In New York if a cel is on it won't pass inspection, from what I've read the California emission catalytic converters are more cleaner than a non carb one, if my vehicle has California emissions ( which I have seen on cars in NY) if I put a non carb compliant one on the cel will read catalytic below threshold due to the ecu tuning from GM for the stricter emissions

 

vin decoder

 

It should tell on the VECI decal, (Vehicle Emission Control Information). White sticker under the hood. It will indicate "49 State" or "Federal" emissions.

 

The sticker says
"this vehicle conforms to EPA regulations applicable to new-light duty trucks. This vehicle conforms to federal regulations and is certified for sale in California. This vehicle is certified to the clean fuel fleet lev standards when operated on gasoline and meets all the applicable requirements of 40cfr 88. ObdII certified" now the question is will this 49 state legal cat trip a CEL? My buddy who is a ASE certified tech for 10years said its a federal emission vehicle and the chevy dealer said its Cali emissions. The dealer went on to tell me it doesn't matter because I live in NY then he went on to say that a CEL light will appear then his story changed one more time to it won't even bolt up to the manifolds.

 

Using a "49 State" converter might trip the SES light due to the way the PCM is programmed. On your 2004, there is a small "Pre converter" upstream and a full size 3 way catalyst downstream. If the pre converter is OK, you can install a Walker 81923, (or equivalent) universal converter, and the SES light will not come on. Typically ~$150 plus installation, (cut out the old one and weld in the new one).

 

Yeah I was gonna go that route but I'm not sure what cat is plugged so I went with the walker 50542 direct fit. The pic that walker uses shows a pre and post cat, the worst that could happen is I instal it and a cel light comes on and I'm out $200, you gotta pay to play I guess lol

 

If the SES light comes on, the only option would be to find a 2004 49 State PCM, and do the crankshaft relearn to it.