[Seth]

Many of you have probably seen details of this new exhaust law floating around the internet. As of January 1, 2019, California has has a new law on exhausts that would affect many of us with aftermarket exhausts. Prior to this law, you could get a fix-it ticket for loud exhausts over 95 decibels. With this new one, there is no fix-it, you get a $1000 fine no questions asked PLUS you might get sent to the BAR depending on the officer. Keep in mind this is not due to breaking any emission laws or having any cat deletes but purely noise. I agree having obnoxiously loud exhausts are annoying, but a $1000 fine plus a trip to the BAR is a little too much. Keep in mind the BAR would also get you for things such as non-CARB approved air intakes, oil catch cans....pretty much any aftermarket modification even if it has nothing to do with vehicle safety or pollution.

http://www.thedrive.com/news/25799/...ud-fartcan-that-they-will-now-fine-you-for-it

Take a look at this video where the officer explains why this is happening

https://speedsociety.com/breaking-c...-changed-automatic-1000-fine-non-correctable/


For all fellow car enthusiasts in California, here is a link for the petition

https://www.change.org/p/nullify-fines-for-loud-mufflers-ab-1824-section-4-in-california

 

[Chainringtattoo]

What's the law for cars not registered in California and just passing through?

 

[68wooley]

So because of street racing related accidents and fatalities, they've effectively banned after-market exhausts? Its not a money grab at all - nope, not at all because no-one will go street racing with just a stock exhaust right?

When are they banning bars to deal with all the DUI deaths?

Sometimes I miss living in California. Things like this help me get over it.

 

[LionZoo]

I'll have more clarity on this situation on Friday, but a first point should be that the California legal limit is 95 dB. Pretty much every 124 aftermarket exhaust is below that limit.

 

[sharkcohen]

I'll have more clarity on this situation on Friday, but a first point should be that the California legal limit is 95 dB. Pretty much every 124 aftermarket exhaust is below that limit.

Yah I'm not too concerned. I also don't think police will be targeting cars like the 124.

 

[LionZoo]

I'm just about to order a full Goodwin exhaust. This new bill does not change my plans at all. It's a lot of hand wringing over something that will have not a lot of practical effect.

 

[depotdan]

I'm just about to order a full Goodwin exhaust. This new bill does not change my plans at all. It's a lot of hand wringing over something that will have not a lot of practical effect.

The full GWR SportCat back exhaust is under 95 dB to qualify for track regs.

I think I’ll forgo pops and bangs in the better interest of the citizens of California.

Dan

 

[sharkcohen]

The full GWR SportCat back exhaust is under 95 dB to qualify for track regs.

I think I’ll forgo pops and bangs in the better interest of the citizens of California.

Dan

Just to note, that’s with the resonator.

Dan, I’m running the pops and bangs with my SportCat back with the resonator, and it actually sounds quite good, no loud pops, lots of great sounding burbling. The resonator really mellows out the pops and bangs.

 

[Deyeme Racing]

What's the law for cars not registered in California and just passing through?

You'd still get nailed. Law is the law if you're in the jurisdiction of the law.

 

[Chainringtattoo]

You'd still get nailed. Law is the law if you're in the jurisdiction of the law.

Well. Someone lacks a sense of humor.

 

[Phillip33]

Just to note, that’s with the resonator.

Dan, I’m running the pops and bangs with my SportCat back with the resonator, and it actually sounds quite good, no loud pops, lots of great sounding burbling. The resonator really mellows out the pops and bangs.

The 3 resonators on my mini don’t muffle my gun shots I mean pops and bangs>
Luckily they are only in sport mode0

 

[depotdan]

Just to note, that’s with the resonator.

Dan, I’m running the pops and bangs with my SportCat back with the resonator, and it actually sounds quite good, no loud pops, lots of great sounding burbling. The resonator really mellows out the pops and bangs.

Yep. I’m running the resonated version.

Dan

 

[rglass]

Just to note, that’s with the resonator.

Dan, I’m running the pops and bangs with my SportCat back with the resonator, and it actually sounds quite good, no loud pops, lots of great sounding burbling. The resonator really mellows out the pops and bangs.

Did they quiet down with the new cat or something? I remember you saying they were essentially gunshots at one point.

 

[socal1200r]

I'll have to read the specifics of this new law, but until I do, it makes me wonder...Are they properly using a decibel meter to target the offending cars, or just the "calibrated" ear of the officer issuing the ticket? Where are the funds going that pay these fines - to the state, or the jurisdiction that issued the fine, and what are they being used for, i.e. are they going to the state's or jurisdiction's general fund, or some special fund like road repairs, law enforcement street racing abatement, or? What are your options to fight the fine?

 

[sharkcohen]

Did they quiet down with the new cat or something? I remember you saying they were essentially gunshots at one point.

It’s interesting in that with my Remus muffler the loudest pops sounded like gunshots, but when I switched that out for muffler less, those same sounds changed and no longer had that gunshot quality. Adding the resonator on top of that mellowed the sounds, even with addition of the SportCat. I’m pleased with the results. It gurgles in a good way.

 

[68wooley]

You'd still get nailed. Law is the law if you're in the jurisdiction of the law.

A lot of these types of laws have exemptions for out of state registered vehicles. Depends on the state.

 

[68wooley]

I'll have to read the specifics of this new law, but until I do, it makes me wonder...Are they properly using a decibel meter to target the offending cars, or just the "calibrated" ear of the officer issuing the ticket?

This is a good point. If the 95db is a specific limit, there'll be plenty of scope to say 'prove it'. It might turn out to be one of those laws where they depend on folks just paying the fine without questioning it. However I wasn't sure if that was an absolute limit applied to all vehicles, or whether the bit stating any modification or deletion of mufflers / resonators etc resulting in the car being louder than stock would result in a violation. I'm assuming it would have to be the former otherwise potentially any after-market exhaust - even one intended to be a straight replacement of a worn out OEM exhaust - could be considered a violation if it was even a little louder than stock.

Here in Denver we've got a lot of these mobile enforcement vans taking photos of 'infringements', but unless you are actually physically served the summons, the resulting ticket is unenforceable. They depend on most folks not knowing that and just paying the ticket when it arrives in the post. Could be the same with this Cali law.

Wonder how long until there's a court battle over where the burden of proof lies in showing whether a car did or did not exceed 95db, with the authorities taking the same 'driving is a privilege , not a right' stance that's used to justify preemptive stops at DUI check points, so the burden of proof lies with the owner to show their car did not exceed 95db and that an officer had the right to stop them and issue a ticket on suspicion only that they were exceeding the limit.

 

[depotdan]

I guess I will buy a decibel meter and test my A124 and R53. Neither have stock exhausts and I don’t savor parting with $1k per pop or the risk of a BAR ‘exam’. My test will be 10’ centered from the rear and 5’ centered from the side. Readings taken at idle, 2k rpm, 4k rpm and 6k rpm. This will determine, if I need to add a larger resonator to the A124 and a resonator to the R53. I just don’t know what a safety factor would be. Ultimately we’re at the mercy of the well tuned ear of the LEO.

Dan

 

[Chainringtattoo]

I guess I will buy a decibel meter and test my A124 and R53. Neither have stock exhausts and I don’t savor parting with $1k per pop or the risk of a BAR ‘exam’. My test will be 10’ centered from the rear and 5’ centered from the side. Readings taken at idle, 2k rpm, 4k rpm and 6k rpm. This will determine, if I need to add a larger resonator to the A124 and a resonator to the R53. I just don’t know what a safety factor would be. Ultimately we’re at the mercy of the well tuned ear of the LEO.

Dan

Dan, you and I have the exact same exhaust. I have a decibel meter. I'll try to do that test this weekend and let you know how it goes. I think at 6k it will be very close to 95 dB. My neighbors should love this.

 

[depotdan]

Dan, you and I have the exact same exhaust. I have a decibel meter. I'll try to do that test this weekend and let you know how it goes. I think at 6k it will be very close to 95 dB. My neighbors should love this.

Just make sure you don’t do the test at 6 am. Thanks for doing this.

Dan