CA Modified Exhaust

[loizenin]

Hi my name is Ron and I have a question concerning aftermarket exhausts: Are ALL aftermarket exhausts illegal?

I live in California (where traffic and emissions laws are reputedly stricter) and last year I was cited for CVC 27151 which regards overly loud exhausts. Actually, the exhaust is very quiet in comparison to the average "ricer" "fart cans," but I was pulled over anyhow and issued the 27151 citation. According to procedure, I had the vehicle sound tested and it passed at 89 decibels. I appeared in court with the certificate of compliance and the citation was dimissed by the judge.

Two months ago, however, I was pulled over by the same officer and handed a citation in violation of 27150, which is described as "modified exhaust." When I informed him of my certificate of compliance, he said it was useless because he was now citing me solely for "modified exhaust"--period.

I have heard both sides of the argument in that aftermarket exhausts are NOT illlegal in their entirety as long as they comply with noise level (unlike cheap fart cans) but also that ANY form of exhaust modification is illegal, as told by said officer. Furthermore, I have read up on CHP bulletin #98-100 which states the legality of noise compliant exhausts. I also mentioned this to the officer but he was adamant on his judgement.

I am sure a number of LEOs on this board are from CA and thus familiar with the vehicle codes. What is your interpretation of CVC 27150?

Thank you for your time and input!

This thread moved to AAC by mcsap 4-20-06

[Hockey9019]

People pimping out their tail pipes is another pet peeve of mine
Yum yum yum rep rep rep
Be happy with what the vehicle came with. Save your money and use it on gas

[SR-25]

I have a modified exhaust on my car. I've never had a problem with mine, and its pretty loud but than again ricer is the last thing my car is.

[Hockey9019]

Hi my name is Ron and I have a question concerning aftermarket exhausts: Are ALL aftermarket exhausts illegal?

Yes and no. Technically ANY vehicle modification can be illegal, depending on how they look at it or want to play it as. Generally speaking it is by the noise DB range. Again, it all depends where your at. I'm not familiar with CA law but I would assume they are illegal there.

**Disclaimer**I am in no way a LEO but I did a quick google search and used my previous semi knoweledge on this subject.

Still, I don't like any of these "fo sho" tail pipes or anything. Stay with something basic espically if you live in CA.

If your not sure then don't do it

[jhf4083]

I don't see how all aftermarket exhausts could be illegal. Afterall, I'm sure somebody has had to replace part of, or a complete exhausts system on their vehicle at one point in a cars life due to mechanical failure.

I'd assume that the aftermarket exhaust would have to pass emissions and not exceed factory or a set state noise level. Reading the code section, as long as you don't have a "whistle-tip", a bypass, cutoff, straight-pipe, and don't exceed 95 dbA you can have the citation dismissed in court if you have your certificate of compliance for sections 27150-51.

If you feel you have a case, take it to court. Otherwise, just pay the fine.

[mcsap]

I don't see how all aftermarket exhausts could be illegal. Afterall, I'm sure somebody has had to replace part of, or a complete exhausts system on their vehicle at one point in a cars life due to mechanical failure.

I'd assume that the aftermarket exhaust would have to pass emissions and not exceed factory or a set state noise level. Reading the code section, as long as you don't have a "whistle-tip", a bypass, cutoff, straight-pipe, and don't exceed 95 dbA you can have the citation dismissed in court if you have your certificate of compliance for sections 27150-51.

If you feel you have a case, take it to court. Otherwise, just pay the fine.

Although this was not posted in Ask-a-Cop , it probably should have been. Those non officers who answered were shooting from their ankles as opposed to their hip. I am from PA and am not even going to try to decipher CA equipment laws. If you don't get an answer here, simply PM me and I'll move this thread to AAC for you. There are a number of CA officers around but they may not frequent this particular area.

[Hockey9019]

Although this was not posted in Ask-a-Cop , it probably should have been. Those non officers who answered were shooting from their ankles as opposed to their hip. I am from PA and am not even going to try to decipher CA equipment laws. If you don't get an answer here, simply PM me and I'll move this thread to AAC for you. There are a number of CA officers around but they may not frequent this particular area.

Actually I was shooting from my feet :D
I just googled it and put some things together

[Legoate]

Actually, in CA you can be cited if your exhaust produces a loud or unusual sound. What usually happens around here is that the baffle is removed from pipes that would otherwise be legal. The driver is cited then replaces the baffle for the pipe to be tested.

All that the certificate from the CA air resources board states is that the pipe was compliant with sound restrictions "at the time of testing". Meaning you can get your car tested, and immediately remove the baffle.

We play this little game with wanna-be racers every day. If your exhaust has been modified to increase sound, you will likely be cited frequently. CA departments have been receiving huge grants from DOT to crack down on street racing. When a car drives by screaming like a lawnmower on crack, it's pretty easy to find probable cause for a stop.

[madsnax]

Ouch, first a ticket for having an exhaust that is too low - then another one from the same officer - for being aftermarket.

I don't know California law, but I have a very hard time believing an aftermarket exhaust is illegal as long as it is DOT compliant.

Just look at the tons of modified cars on cardomain from CA, are every single one of those citizens in violation of the law?

[Legoate]

I don't know California law, but I have a very hard time believing an aftermarket exhaust is illegal as long as it is DOT compliant.

Oh, you'd be suprised. CA has some of the oddest smog and exhaust laws in the world.

It falls under "exhaust modified to increase noise".

[phantasm]

So if it's "exhaust modified to increase noise" and it's below the maximum allowable decible limit, and your intent was not to increase noise, and can prove it, for example to increase power/performance, then shouldn't the summons be dismissed?

Another option is to keep your revs low so it isn't loud. No fast acceleration, or high revs.

[phantasm]

Can't edit.......

Here's the text of the law.

27151. (a) No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor
vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted
by the motor of the vehicle so that the vehicle is not in compliance
with the provisions of Section 27150 or exceeds the noise limits
established for the type of vehicle in Article 2.5 (commencing with
Section 27200). No person shall operate a motor vehicle with an
exhaust system so modified.
(b) For the purposes of exhaust systems installed on motor
vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less
than 6,000 pounds, other than motorcycles, a sound level of 95 dbA or
less, when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers
Standard J1169 May 1998, complies with this section. Motor vehicle
exhaust systems or parts thereof include, but are not limited to,
nonoriginal exhaust equipment.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html

that link will let you search california law to see if you were or were not in fact in violation of california law, and if you were not in fact in violation of the law, then fight the summons, and state why you were not in violation of the law, if you were in violation of the law, then just pay the fine. In NY at least, if it's an equipment violation, you just pay the fine. There's no points, and it doesn't affect your driving record at all.

[Legoate]

Well, that's only one of the laws.....there is also this one:

27150. (a) Every motor vehicle subject to registration shall at all
times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and
properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise, and
no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass,
or similar device.

It's a matter of opinion what an "adequate" muffler is or what constitutes "excessive or unusual noise". CA case law from the 1950's states that a police officer possesses the expertise to decide what would be considered "excessive or unusual". It has nothing to do with a decibel level. CA courts are in my area are upholding this section based on the officer's testimony.

[Legoate]

Much more expensive and difficult for people who modify their cars in CA is this SMOG law:

27156. (a) No person shall operate or leave standing upon any
highway any motor vehicle which is a gross polluter, as defined in
Section 39032.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(b) No person shall operate or leave standing upon any highway any
motor vehicle which is required to be equipped with a motor vehicle
pollution control device under Part 5 (commencing with Section 43000)
of Division 26 of the Health and Safety Code or any other certified
motor vehicle pollution control device required by any other state
law or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to that law, or
required to be equipped with a motor vehicle pollution control device
pursuant to the National Emission Standards Act (42 U.S.C. Secs.
1857f-1 to 1857f-7, inclusive) and the standards and regulations
adopted pursuant to that federal act, unless the motor vehicle is
equipped with the required motor vehicle pollution control device
which is correctly installed and in operating condition. No person
shall disconnect, modify, or alter any such required device.

This disallows common exhaust changes such as removal of the airbox, addition of headers to the vehicle, removal of the catalytic converter.