california exhaust sound regulation

brandonwuwux3 · 07-23-2011, 08:57 PM

so as some of you know i had a state ref ticket a while back and when i went to get emmission and sound check i learned that the stock exhaust on a m3 measured out to be 94.9DB and california standard is 95db. so basically is there no legal aftermarket exhaust?

Lagunae92 · 07-23-2011, 11:32 PM

Technically in California it is illegal to modify your engine whatsoever. I was pulled over for a modified exhaust, but let go. Everyone does it, but still it sucks to drive around and get timid when a cop is around.

FStop7 · 07-24-2011, 01:06 AM

That has to be a seriously bored cop to go after someone for an exhaust. Unless you're running open headers or stomping on the gas it's just not that loud. Harleys and custom choppers are a lot louder. If the cops went after people with "loud" exhausts at Cars and Coffee or in Malibu they'd have to ticket everybody.

CCLSVTM3 · 07-24-2011, 02:20 AM

Speaking from "experience", check out California Vehicle Code 27151(a) and (b).

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.

Yes, a police officer may stop you for modified exhaust. Mostly, its always a correctable citation. Worst case, change out to stock, get insected, signed off, pay correction fee, put your exh back on. As long as your cool and respectul to the popo, I dont see how someone would give you a ticket..... You can always try to pull the, "I bought it this way," but if he runs your record and finds that your the only listed owner and none previous, he may get pissed....

persian54 · 07-25-2011, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCL16M3

Yes, a police officer may stop you for modified exhaust. Mostly, its always a correctable citation. Worst case, change out to stock, get insected, signed off, pay correction fee, put your exh back on. As long as your cool and respectul to the popo, I dont see how someone would give you a ticket..... You can always try to pull the, "I bought it this way," but if he runs your record and finds that your the only listed owner and none previous, he may get pissed....

car could be a demo and it won't have a registered owner

I've seen modified demos.

kyleb350 · 07-25-2011, 09:03 AM

The exhaust systems with the electric cutouts are always an option. Go back to stock sound at the push of a button

mdosu · 07-25-2011, 10:25 AM

they need to crack down on the Harleys, some of them are the crazy and unreasonable loud. Leave us car guys alone.

persian54 · 07-25-2011, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdosu

they need to crack down on the Harleys, some of them are the crazy and unreasonable loud. Leave us car guys alone.

I think Harley has an agreement that their bikes are exempt

if a car is loud stock it's legal (like a Ferrari is much louder than a M3 stock for stock)

07-23-2011, 08:57 PM	#1
brandonwuwux3 Captain 116 Rep 905 Posts Drives: f80 m3cs Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: SOCAL 626 iTrader: (3)	california exhaust sound regulation so as some of you know i had a state ref ticket a while back and when i went to get emmission and sound check i learned that the stock exhaust on a m3 measured out to be 94.9DB and california standard is 95db. so basically is there no legal aftermarket exhaust?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-23-2011, 11:32 PM	#2
Lagunae92 Captain 74 Rep 753 Posts Drives: BMW e92 M3 Laguna Seca Blue Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Long Beach iTrader: (0)	Technically in California it is illegal to modify your engine whatsoever. I was pulled over for a modified exhaust, but let go. Everyone does it, but still it sucks to drive around and get timid when a cop is around. __________________ 2009 e92 M3 Individual Laguna Seca Blue\|Black Novillo\|DCT\|19"rims\|Carbon Leather\|Premium\|Tech.\|Heated Seats\|Prem. Sound\|iPod\| Mods: \|Electronic Performance Steering Wheel\|ZCP CF Spoiler\|ZCP CF Spliters\|ZCP CF Mirrors\|Edition Front Grilles\|Edition Side Grilles\|BMW Performance Brake Handle\|3D Design Pedals\| Style Rumore Exhaust\|H&R Springs\|LCI Tails\|Challenge CF Door Panels\|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-24-2011, 01:06 AM	#3
FStop7 I like cars 329 Rep 5,052 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newbury Park, CA iTrader: (3)	That has to be a seriously bored cop to go after someone for an exhaust. Unless you're running open headers or stomping on the gas it's just not that loud. Harleys and custom choppers are a lot louder. If the cops went after people with "loud" exhausts at Cars and Coffee or in Malibu they'd have to ticket everybody. __________________ My photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/racelap/
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-24-2011, 02:20 AM	#4
CCLSVTM3 Lieutenant 36 Rep 523 Posts Drives: Interlagos blue E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Burbank, CA iTrader: (1)	Speaking from "experience", check out California Vehicle Code 27151(a) and (b). 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. Yes, a police officer may stop you for modified exhaust. Mostly, its always a correctable citation. Worst case, change out to stock, get insected, signed off, pay correction fee, put your exh back on. As long as your cool and respectul to the popo, I dont see how someone would give you a ticket..... You can always try to pull the, "I bought it this way," but if he runs your record and finds that your the only listed owner and none previous, he may get pissed.... __________________ BMC filter, OEM Exh Mod, ESS Direct Flash tune, flat black kidney grills, color painted front reflectors, LUX Angel eyes, -2012 SVT Raptor 4 dr -09 E90 M3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2011, 09:03 AM	#6
kyleb350 Brigadier General 424 Rep 4,709 Posts Drives: '21 X3MC Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee iTrader: (6)	The exhaust systems with the electric cutouts are always an option. Go back to stock sound at the push of a button
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2011, 10:25 AM	#7
mdosu Banned 314 Rep 8,496 Posts Drives: Double Vanos'd Civic-M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (6)	they need to crack down on the Harleys, some of them are the crazy and unreasonable loud. Leave us car guys alone.
	Appreciate 0 Quote