Muffler laws(need info)

  • Thread starter Thread starter samurai10001
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samurai10001

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I'm confused about this. Lots of people have them on their cars and I really want to put a full exhaust system on my first car but I don't really get what the rules are. Also, one of my friends said that you can run straight pipes on a car older than 25 years old (this came up when talking about his truck). Anyways, any info you can provide helps. I am in Washington if you want to get specific...
 
Washington DC or Washington State? Every state is different... In Washington (the state), the law says you can't install an aftermarket exhaust/muffler for "the purposes of increasing noise". Very vague. Other states have laws which give a specific noise limit (90 or 95 dB, etc...). My Mazda has been measured at 90+ dB at the dragstrip, but I've never been pulled over for it. Still, when police or state patrol is around, I don't push my luck. Removing the catalytic converter is illegal too, but if you aren't subject to emissions testing, you might be okay running a straight-pipe. If you piss a cop off, he might give your car a thorough inspection, and mark up everything that he doesn't like :indiff:
 
If you're in King, Snohomish, Pierce, or Spokane county, I wouldn't remove the cat, since those counties require emissions tests. Cat-back exhaust probably won't get you into trouble, though.
 
In Washington State, it is illegal to run any exhaust system that is modified from OEM in a way that makes it louder than stock unless your car is at least 25 years old. It is really common for people to have aftermarket, really loud exhausts, but they're not suppose to have it. Like the front plate law, most cops will probably not pull you over and ticket you for it unless a) the cop doesn't like how you or your car looks, b)you're already pulled over for something else. The actual enforcement of the law probably depends on your local jurisdiction though; I haven't really heard of people getting pulled over for overly loud exhausts before over here.

As for running straight pipes, you're required by law to run a catalytic converter if the car is from 1971 and newer so it doesn't pollute too much, even though you won't be required to test for emissions anymore once the car is 25 years old. However...

For the love of God, don't run straight pipes. It makes you obnoxiously loud.
 
samurai10001
So if I put a cherry bomb glass pack on a civic or bronco, left the cat on and everything stock but the muffler, it should be fine right?
Click to expand...

Yes, glass pack on a Bronco would sound good. On a civic... :crazy:
 

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