[rbuzz00]

Putting the not stopping at a stop sign aside, an aftermarket exhaust system isn't "factory", although I doubt that it increases the sound that much.

More than likely, it's just an overzealous cop looking to add to his ticket quota.

One thing I wonder though, if a county was really being a stickler and was looking to enforce noise standards, could they make a case that running a ZL1 or SS with the NPP exhaust in Track mode makes excessively loud sounds? Of course usually the only reason the exhaust is loud, even in Track mode, is because the driver is usually driving somewhat aggressively. I'm not saying that the driver was driving over the speed limit, but it is easy to let the revs climb and then suddenly let off the gas to make the exhaust pop.

I don't give the police or the courts enough credit to understand what the NPP exhaust really is, but the argument could be made that the Track mode is supposed to be used on the track only and running it on the street could be misinterpreted by courts as a way of bi-passing a legal exhaust system even if it a factory exhaust.

I mean we could be using one of the three quieter modes instead of using a Trac mode for the streets. Of course, all of this presumes that the law actually knows what the NPP exhaust really is and how it operates. I'm sure that GM has performed abundant research making sure that this exhaust is street legal, but would the court accept that?

[sactownbwoy]

Originally Posted by FlukeSS

Its also an axle-back which is perfectly street legal. And they cannot force him to change it. What makes it illegal is if he did catless or headers. Axel-backs are street legal in 49 states. Except of course glorious California, where even an oil catch can causes cancer. Even if he did the crackles and pops would still be there with the stock exhaust. The cop is either an idiot, or just being a dick.

The only thing he can't get out of is the stop sign. And he doesn't need a lawyer to fight this either. Can negotiate. Tell the judge you'll plead guilty to the stop sign charge if the exhaust charge is removed on the basis the ticket is invalid from the start. Also I would look up your state laws for loud exhaust. In my state for example the car cannot be louder than 90 decibels at 35mph. My car is below that threshold of legality.

At least that's what I would do.

Catbacks are legal in CA. They don't mess with emissions, so it is legal.

[JamesNoBrakes]

VEHICLE CODE - VEH
DIVISION 12. EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES [24000 - 28160] ( Division 12 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. )
CHAPTER 5. Other Equipment [27000 - 28160] ( Chapter 5 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. )

ARTICLE 2. Exhaust Systems [27150 - 27159] ( Article 2 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. )

27150. (a) Every motor vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine and 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, or to vehicles not equipped with an internal combustion engine.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 428, Sec. 9. (SB 570) Effective January 1, 2022.)

27150.1. No person engaged in a business that 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 the regulations and standards applicable pursuant to this article. Motor vehicle exhaust systems or parts thereof include, but are not limited to, nonoriginal exhaust equipment.
A violation of this section is a misdemeanor.
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 569, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)

27150.2. (a) Stations providing referee functions pursuant to Section 44036 of the Health and Safety Code shall provide for the testing of vehicular exhaust systems and the issuance of certificates of compliance only for those vehicles that have received a citation for a violation of Section 27150 or 27151.
(b) A certificate of compliance for a vehicular exhaust system shall be issued pursuant to subdivision (a) if the vehicle complies with Sections 27150 and 27151. Exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles, other than motorcycles, with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 pounds comply with Sections 27150 and 27151 if they emit no more than 95 dbA when tested in accordance with the most current SAE International standard.
(c) An exhaust system certificate of compliance issued pursuant to subdivision (a) shall identify, to the extent possible, the make, model, year, license number, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle tested, and the make and model of the exhaust system installed on the vehicle.
(d) The station shall charge a fee for the exhaust system certificate of compliance issued pursuant to subdivision (a). The fee charged shall be calculated to recover the costs incurred by the Department of Consumer Affairs to implement this section. The fees charged by the station shall be deposited in the Vehicle Inspection and Repair Fund established by Section 44062 of the Health and Safety Code.
(e) Vehicular exhaust systems are exempt from the requirements of Sections 27150 and 27151 if compliance with those sections, or the regulations adopted pursuant thereto, would cause an unreasonable hardship without resulting in a sufficient corresponding benefit with respect to noise level control.
(f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 595, Sec. 1. (AB 2496) Effective January 1, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, by its own provisions. See later operative version added by Sec. 2 of Stats. 2022, Ch. 595.)

27150.2. (a) Stations providing referee functions pursuant to Section 44036 of the Health and Safety Code shall provide for the testing of exhaust systems of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, and the issuance of certificates of compliance in accordance with Section 27151.1 only for those vehicles that have received a citation for a violation of Section 27150, 27150.3, or 27151.
(b) (1) A certificate of compliance for an exhaust system of a motor vehicle, including motorcycles, with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating up to 14,000 pounds shall be issued pursuant to subdivision (a) if the vehicle complies with Sections 27150, 27150.3, and 27151.
(2) Exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating less than 6,000 pounds comply with this subdivision if they emit no more than 95 dbA when tested in accordance with the most current SAE International standard.

(3) Exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating between 6,000 and 14,000 pounds comply with this subdivision if they emit no more than the decibel limits set in Section 27204 when tested in accordance with the most current SAE International standard.

(c) An exhaust system certificate of compliance issued pursuant to subdivision (a) shall identify, to the extent possible, the make, model, year, license number, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle tested, and the make and model of the exhaust system installed on the vehicle.
(d) The station shall charge a fee for the exhaust system certificate of compliance issued pursuant to subdivision (a). The fee charged shall be calculated to recover the costs incurred by the Department of Consumer Affairs to implement this section. The fees charged by the station shall be deposited in the Vehicle Inspection and Repair Fund established by Section 44062 of the Health and Safety Code.
(e) Vehicular exhaust systems are exempt from the requirements of Sections 27150 and 27151 if compliance with those sections, or the regulations adopted pursuant thereto, would cause an unreasonable hardship without resulting in a sufficient corresponding benefit with respect to noise level control.
(f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2027.
(Repealed (in Sec. 1) and added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 595, Sec. 2. (AB 2496) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2027, by its own provisions.)

27150.3. (a) A person may not modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle with a whistle-tip.
(b) A person may not operate a motor vehicle if that vehicle’s exhaust system is modified in violation of subdivision (a).
(c) A person may not engage in the business of installing a whistle-tip onto a motor vehicle’s exhaust system.
(d) For purposes of subdivisions (a) and (c), a “whistle-tip” is a device that is applied to, or is a modification of, a motor vehicle’s exhaust pipe for the sole purpose of creating a high-pitched or shrieking noise when the motor vehicle is operated.
(Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 432, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2004.)

27150.4. (a) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall evaluate the efficacy of sound-activated enforcement devices by evaluating devices from at least three different companies.
(b) (1) On or before January 1, 2025, the department shall prepare and submit its findings and recommendations from the evaluation in a report to the Legislature, which shall include all of the following information:
(A) How effective the devices are at determining that a vehicle was not equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained in accordance with the requirements of Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 27200).

(B) How often the device identified a potential violation that was not related to a violation of Section 27150, and the types of sounds other than a loud muffler that triggered the device.

(C) What percentage of time an officer was unable to determine the source of the sound that activated the device.

(D) How often the device was required to be serviced.

(E) What, if any, technology does the sound-activated enforcement system use to determine the direction or source of the sound that violated the sound limits provided for in Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 27200).

(F) Where the devices were located, and whether the location had any consequences to the effectiveness of the device.

(G) The number of devices the department tested and from which companies were the devices that were tested.

(H) Recommendations on all of the following:

(i) Which, if any, device or devices would the department recommend be used for the purposes of enforcing Sections 27150 and 27151, and the reasons for that determination. If the department determines that it does not recommend any of the devices tested, the report shall include the standards and parameters that shall be met by future technology.

(ii) What, if any, restrictions should be placed on the use of sound-activated enforcement devices in enforcing Sections 27150 and 27151, including, but not limited to, the decibel level setting for triggering a potential violation for the purposes of enforcement.

(iii) Where the devices should be optimally located in order to reduce the chances of a false violation.

(iv) Descriptions and explanation of any necessary and associated training that an individual reviewing these violations would need to go through in order to operate the device, including recommendations for what is necessary for a robust human review process.

(v) Any other recommendations the department believes would be necessary for authorizing the use of sound-activated enforcement devices.

(I) A video demonstrating the device. The video shall be edited to remove any personally identifying information, including the blurring of persons recorded in the video, street addresses, and license plates.

(2) The report required by this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(c) The department shall delete all videos recorded on a highway by a device within five days of the video being recorded. However, the department shall keep 15 videos from the devices of each company evaluated for the purposes of preparing the report required by this section and documenting the issues related to each device that helped the department make its recommendations. The department shall not keep any recording that picked up audio of a person speaking, if recorded on a highway.
(d) Notwithstanding Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code, or any other law, information collected and maintained by the department using a sound-activated enforcement device that could be used to identify the identity or location of any individual shall be confidential and only be used for purposes of this section, and shall not be disclosed to any other persons, including, but not limited to, any other state or federal government agency or official for any other purpose, except as required by the reporting requirements in this section, state or federal law, court order, or in response to a subpoena in an individual case or proceeding.
(e) For purposes of this section, “sound-activated enforcement device” or “device” means an electronic device that utilizes automated equipment that activates when the noise levels have exceeded the legal sound limit established in Section 27151 and is designed to obtain clear video of a vehicle and its license plate. A sound-activated enforcement device shall do all of the following:
(1) Record audio, precision accuracy noise levels, and high definition video in two directions.

(2) Utilize an automated system that triggers when excessive vehicle noise over the limit is detected and save the data for review.

(3) Automatically delete any evidence not related to a violation.

(4) Permit the department to manually review evidence to ensure a violation has occurred.

(5) Conform to the class 1 accuracy standards in the International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) standard IEC 61672:2013, or any other accuracy standard determined to be appropriate by the department.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 449, Sec. 1. (SB 1079) Effective January 1, 2023.)

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.
(Added by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1769.)

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 a certificate of compliance has been issued by a station pursuant to Section 27150.2, or if 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.
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 569, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2003.)

27151. (a) A person shall not 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). A person shall not 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 the most current SAE International standard, complies with this section. Motor vehicle exhaust systems or parts thereof include, but are not limited to, nonoriginal exhaust equipment.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 295, Sec. 18. (AB 2956) Effective January 1, 2023.)

27151.1. (a) For a violation of Section 27150.3 or 27151 of a vehicle under 14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, a court shall require a certificate of compliance for a vehicular exhaust system in compliance with subdivision (b) of Section 27150.2. A court shall utilize the notification procedures set forth in Section 40002. If a certificate of compliance is not provided to the court within three months of the violation date, the court shall treat this failure as noncompliance pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 40002 and follow the provisions of Section 40002.1 to inform the Department of Motor Vehicles.
(b) The department shall, before renewing the registration of any vehicle, check to see whether the court has issued a

[FlukeSS]

Originally Posted by sactownbwoy

Catbacks are legal in CA. They don't mess with emissions, so it is legal.

Fair enough, just assumed they weren't cause it was Cali.

[jfkheat]

For the "Inadequate / No muffler" ticket, how much is the fine if you just go pay it? Hiring a lawyer will probably cost more than the fine so I would just pay it, especially if it is no points against our license. Then I would get some documentation/proof to show how the factory exhaust does on these cars and keep it in the car in case you are pulled over for it again.

[SSShark]

There's an APB out for OP.

[KC64]

^^^ HA HA!!! ^^^^ doing away with the muffler does make it a good bit louder. It would cost a bunch to fight it in court. Attorneys fees are not cheap and someone would have to measure the noise level,,, which I am sure it is to loud with the muffler removal.
Most LEOs overlook that here around the Houston area.

[MT-SS1LE]

So glad I live in a very rural area where you only see a cop every once in a while, and they don't hassle you for lame stuff like your exhaust is 5 decibels louder than stock . One of the reasons I left the East Coast was the gestapo like tactics the cops use for revenue generation. If the city/county/state needs money that badly, then have the balls to raise taxes. Of course they prefer to use tickets for revenue enhancement because it flies under the radar.

[Evergreen6]

Nobody is above the law, as fun as modifications and fast cars are.

[paradigm]

Originally Posted by SSShark

Sorry to hear that brother.
Nassau or Suffolk gestapo?

Nassau County, Westbury

[paradigm]

Originally Posted by haggler

This is why i keep exhaust in "auto" mode, easily can switch to NPP quiet mode in "tour" if they start talking crap. I guarantee you if you had factory NPP catback you would have still got the ticket. The cops working holidays are the worst sargent d1cks. Same crap in CA...

Yep, I know if I had the factory axle back it would have been a ticket. He only cared about the pops / bangs which the factory one does.

[olrocker]

Ya’ll need to move to Ohio. You can roll by a busy police department at 2:00 in the morning with bare headders belching out lots of unburned fuel because your O2 sensors are gone and they’ll give you a thumbs up

[paradigm]

The only reason as many stated here that I got the exhaust ticket, is for not stopping completely at the stop sign. He was padding his ticket count.

The car is a 6-speed manual, and I try my best not to let it pop and bang, a few still get out.

I heard the fine for inadequate muffler is $1000 in NY. I will have to hire a lawyer.

Trying to figure out if I was supposed to respond by mail within 48 hrs of the ticket, or if I am supposed to just show up in court and plead not guilty.

[SSShark]

Originally Posted by paradigm

Nassau County, Westbury

I lived in Bay Shore for many years. L.I cops are a real pain in the ass. Here in Florida, loud exhaust is encouraged.