Smog is generally not an issue as the exhaust does nothing to the fumes coming out of the catalytic convertor. Where you live seems to be a hotbed of CHP not knowing the rules it has to enforce regarding noise levels. Some states have rules governing what parts you can change in general-they must be OEM or equal for instance (headlights are one).
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Smog legality usually isn't a problem. You will probably have more problems in your area with cops thinking your exhaust is too loud. And it may be. However, almost nobody has a proper way to test it. At least not on the side of the road. Here is bulletin that the CHP put out about exhausts. It's interesting. It basically says that they can't say it's too loud just because they think it is, and they can't test it, because it will never be under controlled enough conditions.
but doesn't enlarging the diameter of the piping and making it less restrictive allow some escaped gases to pass through the cat?......im just afraid the limit will be over our regulations here in CA, which are very very strict....
also, u said anything before the cat will......does that include intake/intake manifold? or do you mean everything before the cat but after the valves
I'm interested in this topic as well- will aftermarket headers (U said anything before the cat) affect the emissions? How about headers and exhaust? I'm going to be installing both soon and want to know if I'm going to run into inspection problems down the road....
Originally posted by ice1cube for headers im pretty sure if they are rated CARB legal then they should be fine.....i think......but im completely clueless about exhausts
my last post was just to give you a general idea. you are correct though unless the par has a CARB E.O. (executive order) number it won be legal to drive in CA.
here is a site that gives you all the details. it doesn't mention exhausts systems, cat-backs are deal more with the sound than the emissions of a car.
Originally posted by ice1cube tanabe and greddy nd the big companies all claim that their catback systems are 50 state legal......but im still worried
can't afford to not pass smog check when the time comes
how come nobody else has had experience with this?
are you talking about the smog/cat-back problem or the sound/cat-back problem?
you probably don't hear smog stations complain because its legal. they dont care about the sound but I'm sure the cops will. If any of the smog stations give you any flak about your exhaust not being emmisions freindly just direct them to the California ARB site I linked
almost everybody that makes parts designed to enhance your engine will say its "50 state legal" but if you live in CA you need to ask them if the intake, header, or cams your gonna buy from them has a CARB E.O. number thats the important thing.
If its CARB legal you will pass your visual smog test. but the cops are a whole different story all they should worry about is how loud your car is. and If your engine mods have a CARB E.O. number they can't cite you.
Originally posted by jc836 Smog is generally not an issue as the exhaust does nothing to the fumes coming out of the catalytic convertor. Where you live seems to be a hotbed of CHP not knowing the rules it has to enforce regarding noise levels. Some states have rules governing what parts you can change in general-they must be OEM or equal for instance (headlights are one).
there you go, I share the same opinion too. If you do fail smog then swap out the exhast to stock get it smogged again. But the chances of you failing your smog test because of your exhaust is small. I have yet to hear of a case of someone failing their smog test cause of their exhaust. If your not sure try calling the closest smog station to get their opinion.
If I was you though I would worry about noise too, maybe the cops in Placentia are more lenient, I dont know. but thats just a suggestion.
BILL NUMBER: SB 1081
CHAPTERED BILL TEXT CHAPTER 92
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE JULY 23, 2001
APPROVED BY GOVERNOR JULY 20, 2001
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY JULY 2, 2001
PASSED THE SENATE MAY 31, 2001
AMENDED IN SENATE MAY 22, 2001
AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 16, 2001
INTRODUCED BY Senator Johannessen FEBRUARY 23, 2001
An act to amend Sections
27150.1,
27150.2,
27150.7, and
27151 of, and to repeal Sections
23130,
23130.5,
27150.3,
27150.4,
27150.6 and
27150.8 of, the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 1081, Johannessen. Exhaust and muffler systems.
(1) Existing law establishes noise limits for various types of motor vehicles based on factors, including, but not limited to, speed limit. Existing law establishes different noise limits for speed zones of 35 miles per hour or less on level streets. This bill would delete these provisions.
(2) Existing law prohibits any person engaged in a business that involves the selling of motor vehicle exhaust systems from selling or installing a motor vehicle exhaust system that does not meet regulations and standards. Existing law provides that a violation of this provision is a misdemeanor. This bill would provide that motor vehicle exhaust systems include nonoriginal exhaust equipment.
(3) Existing law requires the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to conduct a study and to adopt regulations setting standards for the certification of exhaust systems, which regulations would become effective one year after they are filed with the Legislature. Existing law authorizes the commissioner to 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. Existing law requires the regulations to include provisions for the licensing of stations to implement these provisions. This bill would require these regulations to provide that exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles weighing less than 6,000 pounds that emit no more than 95 dbA comply with specified requirements. This bill would delete the provisions relating to the study and the filing of regulations with the Legislature.
(4) Existing law authorizes a court to dismiss any action in which a person is prosecuted for operating a vehicle in violation of specified provisions relating to noise limits, if certain conditions are met. This bill would instead authorize a court to dismiss an action in which a person is prosecuted for a violation of specified provisions concerning the use of mufflers and exhaust systems, if the vehicle is equipped with an exhaust system that complies with the regulations described in (3).
(5) Existing law requires manufacturers of motorcycles and motorcycle accessories to certify to the Department of the California Highway Patrol, prior to the sale of a motorcycle exhaust system, that the system is in compliance with the standards and regulations adopted by the commissioner. This bill would delete this provision.
(6) Existing law prohibits the modification of exhaust systems to amplify or increase the noise emitted such that the system violates existing noise limits. This bill would provide that for vehicles of less than 6,000 pounds, other than motorcycles, a sound level of 95 dbA or less complies with noise limits.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION
1. Section 23130 of the Vehicle Code is repealed. SEC.
2. Section 23130.5 of the Vehicle Code is repealed. SEC.
3. Section 27150.1 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 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. SEC.
4. Section 27150.2 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 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. SEC. 5. Section 27150.3 of the Vehicle Code is repealed. SEC. 6. Section 27150.4 of the Vehicle Code is repealed. SEC. 7. Section 27150.6 of the Vehicle Code is repealed. SEC. 8. Section 27150.7 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 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. SEC. 9. Section 27150.8 of the Vehicle Code is repealed. SEC. 10. Section 27151 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 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.
Originally posted by ice1cube i keep a copy of the new law in my car....
basically says cop cant give u fix it unless they have a certified dB measuring meter on them at the time they pull u over......
Any even if they do...there are too many other variables involved. Noise from passing cars, resonance from other objects and buildings, etc. I guess if you were in the middle of nowhere they could propery test it, but if that was the case, they probably wouldn't stop you anyway.
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Originally posted by ice1cube i don't care about the sound whatsoever
all i care about is SMOG and EMISSIONS....do u kno if tanabe, specifically the RM will pass?
It really should make no difference. If it didn't pass, you could put the stock one back on and it would likely make no difference. The condition of the engine and the emission controls (esp. the cat) will make a much larger impact on emissions than if the exhaust gases can go through the cat a tiny bit faster (the chemical reactions are probably near instantaneous anyways so that even that doesn't matter).
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