No dude, Bruce is 100% correct--there are sound laws in Cali that you're breaking and the CHP or whoever else WILL fine you for it, if they so choose.

Here's the problem--there's no standardized means for them to decide whether or not your car's exhaust is breaking the decibel law. It's basically up to the officer's discretion and then it's in your hands to take it to court and try to prove that your exhaust is legal.

So, if your car looks relatively normal and you seem like a decent guy, the cop's probably just going to go "it's a porsche, they're loud" and let you go without a ticket. If you look like a teenager and have neon and crap on your car, they'll be more likely to give you a ticket.

Ask me how I know!!!!! :mad:

Here is the original question!


No Muffler, Straight Pipes and tips..Anyone done this?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Has anyone tried this?

KRZ

Given this question, our advice is appropriate. You are running an illegal exhaust system here in CA, which makes you subject to citation and having your car impounded.

The fact that you have not been cited, makes you lucky, not smart.

Master Bruce you are 50% correct.

IF you get pulled over with NO MUFFLER (straight pipes) but all OEM Cats still installed, you will be ticketed for having the exhaust EXCEEDing 95 decibels.

It's a fix-it ticket that can be negated once you goto a smog Referree as they will place a DB meter 18-20 feet behind your car for a reading. If your below 95 db's your good and can take that printout to court to be dismissed, if your over, then you need to put your OEM muffler or similar device to quiet it down.

Your call will not be impounded.

KRZ

From CHP website



"Excessively noisy exhaust systems and mufflers (27150, 27151 VC). Many aftermarket exhaust systems and parts are illegal. Look for parts that meet California law. If it doesn't say it meets the law, it probably doesn't.


Exhaust systems which meet smog requirements but are still too loud. Exhaust equipment that states it is, "Legal in all 50 states," refers to smog, not noise.
Note: New law (27150.2 VC) does not require law enforcement to use sound level meters to test for excessive noise. Citation is based on officer's judgment. Cited violators may have testing done at smog referee stations or may be directed by the court to have testing done. Vehicles in violation must be brought into compliance. A fine may also be imposed.

Illegal engine modifications. Most are illegal due to smog (27156 VC). See Air Resources Board web site for more info and list of parts that are legal. "

Exactly. It's the officers judgement, you can take your car to a smog referree station for testing. Your call will not be impounded.

KRZ

Lets try to wrap this silly ass thread up.

If you drive in CA without mufflers but with the legal cats in place, the officer can decide it is illegal, ie, write you a ticket for a loudness violation. It appears that he cannot impound your car if the smog is legal, BUT if he thinks it might be, he has that discretion. You then and go fight with the judge as to whether he overstepped his bounds.

If you are really running straight pipes, ie, neither cats nor muffler, it is pretty clear he can and will simply take your car. This is a clear violation of CARB regs.

On the truck you go!

Having said that, I know the CHP ARE picking up ricers and taking their cars if they SUSPECT that the engine and exhaust are not CARB legal. While the ricer may get his car back if it proves to be legal, that is faint consolation indeed, to my way of thinking.