I think we all know who this is for

[Matt]

Hey Sjpopo,
As you've probably seen a number of times on the sro discussion board are threads about bull $hit exhaust tickets. After reading a Super street magazine there was a section on this topic. "on paper, the law reads that aftermarket exhaust products are legal, unless they cause your vehicle to deliver noise above a 95 decible level."
So what are your ideas, thoughts? Is this true? When I purchased my exhaust it is stamped and clearly states that it is 50 state legal...and it has been tested for db levels and passed easily. Still...I get tickets for it. The first thing that comes to your mind will probably be don't put it on in the first place, but you as well as many others know that's not going to happen. I would just like some clearing up on this whole subject. It's all so crazy sounding and ther are so many possibilities. What is the Law at this very moment about after market exhaust systems that are 50 state legal? As you can tell I'm extremly confused because I hear many different stories about what is legal and what isn't. Any info will help.
thanks

[sjpopo]

Okay, here is the scoop as I understand it:

The law says that exhaust noise has to be under a certain decibel when traveling at a certain speed on a certain slope and the testing equipment must be at a certain distance from the car being tested.

The law also says that an officer can cite if the noise caused by an exhaust is a nuisance. Most of the exhaust tickets I have written were due to the noise of the vehicle upon acceleration, not while at cruising speed.

It is unrealistic to believe that an officer is going to test a car's exhaust noise based upon the testing standards set forth by the CVC. It's just plain impossible. My guess is that those standards are in place as a guideline for automobile manufacturers, not enthusiasts.

As many of you have read, the CHP has stated in a memo that they will not conduct decibel tests due to the cost associated with condcting those tests. They suggest that officers use their professional judgement when determining to cite someone for excessive exhaust noise. To clarify, that memo is simply a suggestion. It has no legal bearing on either the CHP's procedures nor does it have any legal effect on any city PD's procedures.

As far as the "50 State Legal" stamps/certifications go, they are worthless. Keep in mind who supplies that information and what their motives are.

Drive safe,

Ofc. Hoyt
SJPD

[RS/377]

CARB cetification means nothing in San Jose? I thought that was a lie told by whining kids who wanted sympathy.

[sjpopo]

Well, yes and no. When it comes to intakes, etc. then if it's on CARB's list of certified parts for that make and model car, and that part has the correct EO number on it, then it would be futile and inappropriate for us to cite for it, right?

Now, when it comes to exhaust, my own personal opinion is that regardless of what paperwork the exhaust has, if it is super-loud then it will get a ticket and the driver can prove to the court why it should be legal. By super-loud, I don't mean just a different pitch of noise like some of the mufflers create. I'm talking about the exhaust systems that we all hear every day. The ones that you can hear from blocks away when the driver steps on the gas.

Those are the ones that are a public nuisance. I put them right up there with Harley straight pipes and people that allow their dogs to dump on my lawn and don't pick it up.

Drive safe,

Ofc. Hoyt
SJPD

[Matt]

Thank you officer hoyt
I apprieciate the info.
late

[tom3]

actually doesn't the pitch make a big difference and could explain the import vs domestic thing everybody's talking about ?

what I mean is that some exhaust notes are a pain to the ears, some are not that disturbing even when louder. What do you think ?