Exhaust Law

[da wacky paki]

Hey guys... i know this has been covered before. But i was wondering about my exhaust. Its an Apex'i Dunk muffler with 2.25'' piping to the resonator (not cat). I recently got pulled over for running a red light...but all the cop cited me for was my exhaust and no front plate. My exhaust really isnt that loud. I had it installed at a local shop. I mean, its not a bolt-on, its welded on there. What should I do? I mean, by CA Law, it was illegal for the shop to have put it on to begin with. Or am I reading this code wrong?

27150.1. On and after the effective date of regulations and
standards adopted by the commissioner pursuant to Section 27150.2, no
person engaged in a business which involves the selling of motor
vehicle exhaust systems, or parts thereof, including, but not limited
to, mufflers, shall offer for sale, sell, or install, a motor
vehicle exhaust system, or part thereof, including, but not limited
to, a muffler, unless it meets those regulations and standards. Motor
vehicle exhaust systems or parts thereof include, but are not
limited to, nonoriginal exhaust equipment.
A violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

I mean, if they installed it, it should be compliant...right? Thanks in advance for any help.

[TaeMachine]

my bro's wife got a no front plate ticket and also a fix it exhaust ticket when the cop saw her car parked in a lot.

[CheezeFrog]

If that's the case, how do muffler shops like Midas or Meineke stay in business?

[ringthree]

Originally posted by da wacky paki
27150.1. On and after the effective date of regulations and
standards adopted by the commissioner pursuant to Section 27150.2

Just the effective date of the part of the code. But you do need 27150.2 to find out what the technical details of a proper muffler are.

Originally posted by da wacky paki
no person engaged in a business which involves the selling of motor vehicle exhaust systems, or parts thereof, including, but not limited to, mufflers, shall offer for sale, sell, or install, a motor
vehicle exhaust system, or part thereof, including, but not limited
to, a muffler, unless it meets those regulations and standards.

Translation: No business can sell an exhaust that doesn't meet the technical details of 27150.2.

The funny thing about that is that it's not a contravention against the operator, it's a contravention against the seller (shop). It does NOT say that YOU can not have a non-compliant exhaust, it just says that the shop can't "offer for sale, sell, or install" a non-compliant exhaust.

Either you have the incorrect part of the code or this was written incorrectly.

Originally posted by da wacky paki
Motor vehicle exhaust systems or parts thereof include, but are not limited to, nonoriginal exhaust equipment.

Translation: This section covers both stock and aftermarket exhausts.

This section does not mean that aftermarket exhausts are illegal just that illegal aftermarket exhausts can't be sold.

Originally posted by da wacky paki
A violation of this section is a misdemeanor.


Translation: A violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

HEHE

Anyway, you need to look at the ticket and find out what part of the code that you were cited for. This is not the correct section. This is the section that prevents the shop from installing the exhaust. BUT the shop will just say that it was not intended for street use, only for off-road use.

The section about mufflers will probably include some kind of exemption for off-road exhausts.

Get me the proper sections and I may be able to help you more. You should NOT have been cited for the exhaust IF the exhaust meets the standards set by CA law.

[da wacky paki]

The actual section on the ticket is 27151.

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.

I asked about the other part (27150.1) because I read it while looking up 27151. It just looked kinda weird.

My exhaust really isnt that loud. I've heard the TRD exhaust, and it sounds about equal. It is just a fix-it ticket...but i wanna know how to "fix-it" for the least amount of money. Thanks for your help ringthree, you really broke everything down.

[ringthree]

I would bet dollars to donut that your exhaust is within the legal limits. I believe in California there is a place (I think run by the police or the CARB) that test the loudness of the exhaust.

Also many aftermarket exhaust places have there exhausts tested for decibal compliance before they are sold. I would call Apex'i and ask them if they do that.

If you could include all of section 27150 (e-mail it to me if you have to) and Article 2.5. I will see what the decibil limit is and see if your compliant. Truthfully I dont think you will have to "fix" anything, I think your getting screwed.

[da wacky paki]

CALIFORNIA CODES
VEHICLE CODE
SECTION 27150-27159




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.
(b) Except as provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section
38000) with respect to off-highway motor vehicles subject to
identification, every passenger vehicle operated off the highways
shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant
operation and properly maintained so as to meet the requirements of
Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 27200), and no muffler or
exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar
device.
(c) The provisions of subdivision (b) shall not be applicable to
passenger vehicles being operated off the highways in an organized
racing or competitive event conducted under the auspices of a
recognized sanctioning body or by permit issued by the local
governmental authority having jurisdiction.



27150.1. On and after the effective date of regulations and
standards adopted by the commissioner pursuant to Section 27150.2, no
person engaged in a business which involves the selling of motor
vehicle exhaust systems, or parts thereof, including, but not limited
to, mufflers, shall offer for sale, sell, or install, a motor
vehicle exhaust system, or part thereof, including, but not limited
to, a muffler, unless it meets those regulations and standards. Motor
vehicle exhaust systems or parts thereof include, but are not
limited to, nonoriginal exhaust equipment.
A violation of this section is a misdemeanor.



27150.2. The commissioner shall adopt regulations setting standards
for vehicular exhaust systems consistent with Article 2.5
(commencing with Section 27200). The regulations shall include, but
need not be limited to, the following:
(a) Provisions for standards for vehicular exhaust systems, based
on manufacturers' data and subject to any inspections and other
verification the commissioner may prescribe. The regulations shall
include provisions specifying that exhaust systems installed on motor
vehicles, other than motorcycles, with a manufacturer's gross
vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 pounds, that emit no more
than 95 dbA when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive
Engineers Standard J1169 May 1998, comply with Sections 27150 and
27151.
(b) Provisions for the licensing of stations to implement this
section and Section 27150.1, and for the denial, revocation, or
suspension of any license for failure to comply with this section or
any regulation adopted thereunder.
The regulations may provide for the exemption of vehicular exhaust
systems where compliance with the regulations would cause an
unreasonable hardship without resulting in a sufficient corresponding
benefit with respect to noise level control.



27150.5. Any person holding a retail seller's permit who sells or
installs an exhaust system, or part thereof, including, but not
limited to, a muffler, in violation of Section 27150.1 or 27150.2 or
the regulations adopted pursuant thereto, shall thereafter be
required to install an exhaust system, or part thereof, including,
but not limited to, a muffler, which is in compliance with such
regulations upon demand of the purchaser or registered owner of the
vehicle concerned, or to reimburse the purchaser or registered owner
for the expense of replacement and installation of an exhaust system,
or part thereof, including, but not limited to, a muffler, which is
in compliance, at the election of such purchaser or registered owner.




27150.7. A court may dismiss any action in which a person is
prosecuted for operating a vehicle in violation of Section 27150 or
27151 if it is found that the vehicle was equipped with an exhaust
system in compliance with regulations adopted by the commissioner
pursuant to Section 27150.2, and that the defendant had reasonable
grounds to believe that the exhaust system was in good working order
and had reasonable grounds to believe that the vehicle was not
operated in violation of Section 27150 or 27151.

[da wacky paki]

Article 2.5 refers to section 27200. Which states....

[da wacky paki]

CALIFORNIA CODES
VEHICLE CODE
SECTION 27200-27207




27200. (a) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall not register on a
dealer's report of sale a new motor vehicle, except an off-highway
motor vehicle subject to identification as provided in Division 16.5
(commencing with Section 38000), which produces a maximum noise
exceeding the applicable noise limit at a distance of 50 feet from
the centerline of travel under test procedures established by the
Department of the California Highway Patrol.
(b) The Department of Motor Vehicles may accept a dealer's
certificate as proof of compliance with this article.
(c) Test procedures for compliance with this article shall be
established by the Department of the California Highway Patrol,
taking into consideration the test procedures of the Society of
Automotive Engineers.
(d) No person shall sell or offer for sale a new motor vehicle,
except an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as
provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000), which
produces a maximum noise exceeding the applicable noise limit
specified in this article, and for which noise emission standards or
regulations have not been adopted by the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the Noise Control Act of
1972 (P.L. 92-574).
(e) No person shall sell or offer for sale a new motor vehicle,
except an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as
provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000), which
produces noise that exceeds or in any way violates the noise emission
standards or regulations adopted for such a motor vehicle by the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the
Noise Control Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-574).
(f) As used in this section, the term "register" is equivalent to
the term "licensing" as used in Section 6(e)(2) of the Noise Control
Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-574; Title 42, United States Code, Section 4905
(e)(2)).



27201. For the purposes of Section 27200, the noise limit of 92 dbA
shall apply to any motorcycle manufactured before 1970.



27202. For the purposes of Section 27200, the following noise
limits shall apply to any motorcycle, other than a motor-driven
cycle, manufactured:


(1) After 1969, and before 1973 ............ 88 dbA
(2) After 1972, and before 1975 ............ 86 dbA
(3) After 1974, and before 1986 ............ 83 dbA
(4) After 1985 ............................. 80 dbA




27203. For the purposes of Section 27200, the noise limit of 82 dbA
shall apply to any snowmobile manufactured after 1972.



27204. For the purposes of Section 27200, the following noise
limits shall apply to any motor vehicle within the specified
manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating and date of manufacture:



Date of
GVWR--Pounds Manufacture Noise Limit--dbA

Over 6,000 after 1967 and 88
before 1973
Over 6,000 after 1972 and 86
before 1975
Over 6,000 after 1974 and 83
before 1978
Over 8,500 after 1977 and 83
before 1982
Over 6,000 but after 1977 80
not over 8,500
Over 8,500 but after 1981 80
not over 10,000
Over 10,000 after 1981 and 83
before 1988
Over 10,000 after 1987 80



27206. For the purposes of Section 27200, the following noise
limits shall apply to any other motor vehicle, not specified in this
article, manufactured:


(1) After 1967, and before 1973 .............................
86 dbA
(2) After 1972, and before 1975 .............................
84 dbA
(3) After 1974 ..............................................
80 dbA



27207. No motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more
than 10,000 pounds and equipped with an engine speed governor shall
produce a sound level exceeding 88 dbA, measured on an open site at a
distance of 50 feet from the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle,
when its engine is accelerated from idle with wide open throttle to
governed speed with the vehicle stationary, transmission in neutral,
and clutch, if any, engaged. Test procedures for compliance with
this section shall be established by the department, taking into
consideration the procedures of the United States Department of
Transportation. The procedures may provide for measuring at other
distances, in which case the measurement shall be corrected so as to
provide for measurements equivalent to the noise limit established by
this section measured at 50 feet.

[ringthree]

Here we go:

27200. (a) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall not register on a
dealer's report of sale a new motor vehicle, except an off-highway
motor vehicle subject to identification as provided in Division 16.5
(commencing with Section 38000), which produces a maximum noise
exceeding the applicable noise limit at a distance of 50 feet from
the centerline of travel under test procedures established by the
Department of the California Highway Patrol.

The CHiP's have the testing procedure. You go to them and they perform a test, which probably involves driving the car within 50 feet of a decibil meter. The maximum limit listed above is 95 decibils. BEFORE going confirm that the testing can not mean that you get another ticket if you fail and also confirm that you can get certification if you pass (so that the Pigs stop bugging you).

(b) The Department of Motor Vehicles may accept a dealer's certificate as proof of compliance with this article.

This means that if you can get certification from Apex'i that it's under 95 decibils (which I'm almost positive it is if you use the stock resonator) then your in the clear.

(c) Test procedures for compliance with this article shall be
established by the Department of the California Highway Patrol,
taking into consideration the test procedures of the Society of
Automotive Engineers.

If your really interested, you might want to check with the Society of Automotive Engineers, they are probably going to be WAY more help than the CHiPs.

(d) No person shall sell or offer for sale a new motor vehicle,
except an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as
provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000), which
produces a maximum noise exceeding the applicable noise limit
specified in this article, and for which noise emission standards or
regulations have not been adopted by the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the Noise Control Act of
1972 (P.L. 92-574).
(e) No person shall sell or offer for sale a new motor vehicle,
except an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as
provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000), which
produces noise that exceeds or in any way violates the noise emission
standards or regulations adopted for such a motor vehicle by the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the
Noise Control Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-574).

All this stuff means if you get busted, you can bust the shop that sold you the exhaust. But they will probably claim the off-road exemption.

(f) As used in this section, the term "register" is equivalent to
the term "licensing" as used in Section 6(e)(2) of the Noise Control
Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-574; Title 42, United States Code, Section 4905
(e)(2)).


Technical crap.

My suggestion is to do two things. Call Apex'i and tell them that you want a copy of all the certificates for their exhaust, CARB exemption number, decibil level, everything.

Go the CHiP's and test the exhaust. You will almost definitely be safe.

Do both of these things. If neither work (like if Apex'i doesn't have decibil certification AND you fail the CHiPs exhaust test) then your F'ed. If not then you are totally clear.

[da wacky paki]

Thank you SOOOOOO much for your help. Its very much appreciated. Are you a law major or something? :)

[ringthree]

Nah, I'm just a dork...

[mwz26]

Originally posted by ringthree
Nah, I'm just a dork...

:werd:


Sorry couldnt resist

[ringthree]

Bitch ass...

So when are you gonna be back in 'ginny!

[CelicaNamja79]

This law usually depends on the state you reside in I think......


Da wacki paki you are in Cali man, don't u kno bro.... we got it the worst outta everyone in this board..:ugh:

[LaW]

My friend got a ticket that was 75 dollars for a "non-stock exhaust"

hehe I live in wisconsin. He got it thrown out anyway... it's like oh your exhaust doesn't look stock...

[racinjason]

Is there a database online with motor vehicles codes online that we can look up for each state?? I am interested in the Pennsylvania codes for exhausts, lighting, and tint.

[ringthree]

Yeah, there are Jason. Start from your state government webpage and then search for the state code. A lot or states have them, but I dont know if there is one comprehensive database for all states.

[xav3x]

damn i hate that law.. is soo unclear!!!! and there are soo many sections .. what a peice of crap