New California exhaust law

So.. I was so excited that I installed my MBRP black series Dual exhaust last month. And then new year arrived and saw this... killjoy!!

https://jalopnik.com/why-people-are...ite&utm_source=jalopnik_copy&utm_campaign=top

I was searching a thread here for this law and nothing popped up unless it's not that big of a deal. I think it is.. It used to be a "fix it" ticket but now.... A $1k and have an inspector clear you?! Only in California!!

Any Cali with aftermarket exhaust have any thought?!!

 

Got a clutch?
Got a DB meter?

Don't draw attention to yourself, and don't buy a flowmaster.

 

CA sucks, they want to ban anything that runs on gasoline or Diesel. I cant wait to leave this failed state.

 

So.. I did this.. sure is quiet that's for sure... drone sound is significantly reduced though or close to non existant t!! IMO.. It is way quieter but glad I still have that deep rumble sound on the MBRP dual exhaust. No Flowmaster here...

Will pick up a db meter to check the before and after...

In order to fit the diffuser/silencer I had to dremel cut the flanged ring around the the MBRP exhaust tip which is 3.9 inch and the silencer was about 3.8 inch. NO RATTLE!. perfect fit!!

 

There is a petition to change the law, on www.change.org. It is gaining good momentum.

 

IMHO; You're overreacting to this procedural/financial change of an existing noise ordinance. It's been a 95dB limit in Cali for over 20 years. I doubt your MBRP exhaust is louder than that, but the onus is on you to prove it. (Or, you know, call MBRP and ask them how loud it was before you installed those choke tubes?)

So it changed from an on-the-spot fixit ticket to an on-the-spot fine. BFD. Yes, it's going up from fixit ticket of $35 to a fine up to $1k, but your catback won't be the $1k offender. The guys with cut-outs, open headers, deleted emissions equipment...those will be the heavy fines.


I've never been pulled over solely because my exhaust was too loud. That's not to say that I wasn't harassed about my exhaust, but that wasn't why they pulled me over. Try not to drive in a way that'll get yourself pulled over, and you'll probably never have to worry about it.

 

Thanks for the input blu92,

That's the opinion I'd like to here. I've been teetering back and forth to do something about what can be done to help TW members in Ca., and yes, MBRP is not the loudest exhaust out there but I'm sure others with louder exhaust can benefit to a heads up and what they can do about it there after.

Added: MBRP exhaust sound db from another forum..
https://www.focusst.org/forum/focus-st-guides/33744-just-bit-info-mbrp-exhaust.html

So my solution aside from replacing it back to stock was to install these silencers/diffusers and to see how much of a difference it would change. And it has significantly reduced the sound. Drone sound down to low humming, non existent when cruising in the cabin for long road trips. As a matter of fact, I took the family up Tahoe on a 4 hour road trip and the drive was almost as quiet as the stock. And that was goal to put the silencer.

And on my way up Placerville, there were at least 3 CHP posted for speeders and 2 patrolling the highway. I was on an incline and when one was behind me tailing me, probably running plates already. And of course, my exhaust was growling but not as loud as it would originally be. Would I have been pulled over by excessive noise, maybe. But other variables as well, like no covers for my ditch lights, led bars, etc.. mainly speed if I was going over the speed limit. At 55, everyone was.. Yah, he could have me pulled me over for any reasons.

And yes you're right the MBRP is not as loud as other aftermarket exhaust but a piece of mind would be the main reason to install it. But I have options now. I can take it on and off. Reinstall it during road trips and off around town and offroad. Again, MBRP is not as loud as other exhaust but as a safe measure there are options jut by replacing the exhaust tip.

So why did I get an MBRP exhaust from another TW member said? Because I like the growling sound from my Taco.

Btw blu92, I stop by your town and there's this fried chicken place, Savory FC. Awesome..

 

I would think the modified cars would get the attention over off-roaders and trucks? This applies to motorcycles now, Harley’s alike. I guess it’s up to which law enforcement agency you encounter.


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.

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.

 

The laws haven't changed, just the enforcement mechanism . The law has been enforced only as a fix it ticket for as long as I can remember

I was bored today I wanted to see how loud my truck is , supercharged 3RZ which is CARB legal , CARB legal Doug Thorley shorty header and a Magnflow catback

at a warm idle and with db meter and at the required distance it was 98db's

 

True.. I have to have to agree with Blue92 on his earlier post that I'm overreacting from this Ca. law.. It have always been there and only replaced it with a fine leading up to $1k. And 99% trucks with modified exhaust wouldn't probably get pulled over. But there's that 1%!! Haha..

Well, I've always thought my exhaust was a little loud around my neighborhood especially going on an incline where I have to accelerate.

And if a cop is nearby on a bad timing event where I accelerated, pull me over? He'll probably give a mean mug, tail me and run my plates. Ask over the radio what the PC is for a loud exhaust? Then all this PC pops up on his dash with all the fines and figure out which ones he'll site me for. It may be a hassle to give a ticket but just pulls me over and give me a warning. I'm sure they have better things to do rather than give a ticket for loud exhaust on a TRUCK!!

But the fact of the matter. It could happen and there are options out there without having to replace your exhaust back to stock. I installed the choke tubes silencer/diffuser and they made my sound to a whimper close to stock sound. IMO it's only good for long road trips to significantly minimize the drone sound.

But a fellow TW member in the MBRP exhaust thread guided me this option. It kept sound below 95 db level without sacrificing the growl IMO. And the site said, "Not only does the DC Sports Exhaust Tip add a sweet spot to the appearance of your vehicle, it also gives it a resonating growl at higher RPMs."

DC Sports EX-1011B Black Muffler Tip

$34 DC Sport Black Universal Bolt On Exhaust Tip 2.875" Inlet 3.75" Outlet - Fits 1.75" - 2.5" Tail Pipes

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GMNL36E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_i.itCbPPA12MX

 

You are the kind of neighbor I would love to have, drink a beer with, and invite over to cookouts! That DC muffler tip looks pretty badass.

 

Download a db meter on your phone, place the phone at the same level of the exhaust and exactly 19.5” away. Make sure microphone is facing the exhaust. Take measurements at idle and at 3,000 rpm. If you are over 95 then technically your exhaust is too loud for out here.

The whole $1000 ticket part sounds like mostly BS. The fine for the exhaust being over 95 dB is something like $25. It’s an extra $108 if you get sent to the state referee.

So it really depends on the officer, how many violations are they going to write you up for. And on top of all the violations, you have the court fines, state fines, then you can even have county fines AND city fines. It just depends on where you get the ticket. I think the state fines alone are around 35-40% of the ticket, if your county and city have more fines then it can easily almost double the cost of your ticket.


At the end of the day I don’t think you should worry too much. There is always a chance you get pulled over by an officer who maybe isn’t having the best day and he wants to give you a lesson. That’s the human element, we are all going through something and sometimes it effects people’s attitudes and judgement.

My truck can be loud, and I actually had to pass a rpd officer around 2500-3000 rpms where my truck starts to get loud, and the officer didn’t do anything. Maybe it was luck or maybe they are only going after cars that sound like they are practically straight piped.

Also if you want I can try to dig up the video of the people going to a chp office and talking to them about the law, and the explaining of how much $ the violations are and adding all the state, county, and city taxes.

 

I wouldn't worry about it. The new enforcement will be used as a add on ticket. The ol' pulled you over for speed, you failed the attitude test, and your parting gift is a exhaust ticket on top..

 

Old law, new fine method. I’ve seen mostly beach cities like Huntington Beach do enforcement on these even with motorcycles.
Here’s the Change.org petition if you’re interested.
https://www.change.org/p/nullify-fines-for-loud-mufflers-ab-1824-section-4-in-california

 

Signed the petition...

My truck deserves free speech just like me

 

The cops here just wave and give thumbs up at me when driving my Camaro !!! . But a bright red car with a full roll cage and drag radials kinda stick out from the norm !!!!! . Kinda hard not to be noticed especially pulling away from a stop light with a 4500rpm converter!!

 

HB is ANAL about modded cars

People can drive 80 on pch and text all day but they pull over every tuner car with tinted windows/taillights or modded exhaust

they don't care about anything classic though I guess

 

I've been down in that area especially Seal Beach , Surf Side and Huntington Harbour . All along that section of PCH there's roadside sampling machines with cameras

 

Yea I live in HB and drive PCH every day to work

Those cameras do nothing for the middle aged women in g-wagons and Evoques tailgating everyone and weaving in and out of traffic, but I don't think there's really any (Cameras) between Huntington and newport

 

I just download the app and now I gotta find that darn sound quality mic I purchased.. thanks for the tip and info!