Recently I moved to MA for work and registered my 2006 Cobalt SS sedan. Apart from a ZZP 2.5" catted dp, ZZP 2.5" catback, and wheels the car is stock. The exhaust rusted away and I replaced it with ZZP, which I would never part with.

Since I just registered my car in MA I had 7 days to get an MA inspection. I thought, "No problem." boy was I wrong........

Round 1: Due to my exhaust I had a CEL which I didn't care about because I knew it was a dtc ECM P0420- Catalyst System Low Efficiency (SES). I rolled into a local garage and immediately the guy said I wouldn't pass. I was pretty pissed because I knew I would have to get a tune to disable the dtc and i had no intention to tune it until I add all the other options I want to to my car. I knew if i disconnected the battery it would wipe the CEL and I wouldn't have that issue. I gave the guy some clues as to what I was planning on doing and he told me they plug into the OBDII and run a test. If you don't have around 80 miles on it of ECU data he couldn't pass me. The OBDII scanner wouldn't be able to run any tests (which is true I checked). They print the inspection sticker from a computer that has to see the data to give you a pass, so I was f*#ked.

I then went and bought a tune from Trifecta. I am happy with my purchase; it is a great company I would def recommend. I got the cable, flashed my car, and disabled the appropriate DTC's.

Round 2: I went to a different garage, by this time I am 3-4 weeks late for an inspection. Rolled in and the guy checks over my car, and plugs in the OBDII. He asks me if my CEL is working because something is wrong with my car, but he can't see any code. At this point I am flipping out inside. I told him it worked, but he really didn't want to believe me. He got in, turned the key, and saw it popped on. He said whatever, and since nothing came up on his screen that I was good. He then looked at my exhaust, big chrome tip and all. He walks over and tells me that I am failing inspection today because I have an aftermarket exhaust that is too loud. At this point I am pissed and demand to know how it is "too loud". He didn't use a db meter. I later found out this is the law.

Chapter 90: Section 16. Offensive or illegal operation of motor vehicles

No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any way which motor vehicle is equipped (1) with a muffler from which the baffle plates, screens or other original internal parts have been removed and not replaced; or (2) with an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust.

4.04 Procedures for Inspection of Non-Commercial Motor Vehicles

All motor vehicle exhaust systems shall discharge the exhaust beyond operator, passenger, and/or trunk compartment. Unnecessary noise is herein defined as any noise which is louder than that emitted by the vehicle when equipped with the original manufacturer's equipment. A gas or diesel vehicle will be rejected if, at normal operating temperature, at any constant speed over 15 MPH, (approximately 1,000 to 1,200 RPM's) visible black or blue exhaust emissions are evident.

Basically in MA if the inspector thinks the exhaust is too loud, then it is, and you fail. Then he told me the only way I can get around this is if I go to the RMV, they approve it, and I get a piece of paperwork saying my exhaust is fine. I can go back to the same garage and he will give me a pass on my inspection and I should never have a problem in the future.

I am going to the RMV sometime this upcoming week so I've been trying to quiet my exhaust down. I want to make even quieter than stock. I downloaded db apps on iphone and my s4. I got 73db @ 1000 - 3000 rpm on the s4. I got 86 - 96db @1000-3000rpm on the iphone. I made this bootleg silencer to fit inbetween the flange between the dp and catback. It has 7" length of conduit 1-1/4" diameter. The pipe is slid into the dp and bolted. I also stuffed some washing sponges in my airbox before the filter to reduce airflow.


Exhaust gasket and metal copy

Silencer

After I ran it it sounds very close to stock but I only dropped 1-2db measured from both phones. I haven't tried putting steel wool in, other than that idk what to do. Idk how MA has measured every car and had db data on each stock exhaust. i have yet to find any literature on how they conduct the test. I refuse to buy a stock exhaust and put that on; I'd register my car in another state before that happens.

Note: I passed emissions, the last garage I went to did it by the absence of my dtc code. When I go to the RMV idk if they are going to be more stringent and try to f%$k me that way by clipping a meter to my exhaust. Idk if the high flow cat will pass. Any comments or advice welcome. My opinion of MA is steadily falling in dealing with this fiasco.

 

I live in MA and they can be pretty strict. I had a nice Therman R&D catback on my otherwise stock 1994 Honda Accord and they failed me for being too loud. It wasn't loud at all.

 

You need to find a shadier garage.

 

If you still have your stock cat, that will def quite it down quickly, or get the biggest cherry bomb and fab it up there or run to an auto store and get the muffler that will fit (it will probably run like crap but hey it will be quiet).

I ran into similar issues in CO, but they have a sniffer test as well as a visual test, I passed the sniffer with ZZP's high flow cat, but failed because it was high flow and it had a defouler (the inspector had no clue how the oxygen sensor was in what she though was a cat)

 

Pretty much. **** all this inspection crap. Florida ftw. I do wonder what the Sniffer would come back as reading with no cat and e85.

 

Friend of mine passed (LNF e85 catless)

 

Mass ******* SUCKS!!!!!!!!! but there's still thousands of cars modified. I never get any problems from cops, but I usually go about 18-24 months between stickers, I haven't had one since last November and have had 2 warnings, im really on borrowed time but I don't drive the car for anything but to and from work, have the camry and my mothers Acura TL that's always around.

This time thankfully Ive got a hook up. Years before ive had to pay as much as $50 + a 30 pack of beer for a damn sticker. Now the problem is police have the ability to trace where you got the sticker easily, so I used to say "oh well it passed inspection, so it must be legal" that will bet you and the place that did the sticker in a lot of trouble now.

 

There is no sniffer in mass, and the LNF's pass easily with a catless downpipe, companies like ZZP have a good 02 bung, works great. and as long as the car is warmed up the exhaust is very quiet at idle.

 

I never get a code for cat efficiency, and I'm fairly certain its not tuned out

 

I hate the government, its almost getting to the point were its like f this ****. I like how they say your car is to loud, but then they pass motorcyles with straight pipes. f*ing basterds.

 

And to believe that that god forsaken state was one of the starting areas of the Revolution.

We have similar emissions testing in Ohio, but they couldn't give two f***s about what exhaust you have. We suffer from front plate itis though and the cops will pull you over if they "feel" your exhaust is too loud or car is out of compliance.

 

Few years back, i had 3k foglights. I had about 4-5 beers from 8-12, not really drunk over that time. Went to 24 hr breakfast at like 1pm, got pancakes, was there till like 2:30, 95% sober by that time.

Driving home, cop jumps the median on the highway to come after me (going the speed limit in the slow lane). Pulls me over and says "Is it foggy out?" You can only have your "fog" lights on when it is foggy out........WHAT THE **** IS THAT BULLSHIT!

It ended up with me on the side of the road for nearly two hours with sobriety and breath test which i passed with flying colors (think i blew like a .001 or .002), but because i had a new NEVER BEEN USED pipe and a old beer in the trunk (I was under 21) it was just a **** show. never been so mad at a retarded stupid "law" then i actually did see it in the mass law book.

 

^so did those charges get dropped because the search was illegal? (You didn't violate any laws therefore under the 4th amendment any search without a warrant can be thrown out, unless you gave him the ok to search, sidenote never do that).

Back to the original topic, why do they only give you seven days to get inspection after moving to the state?

 

you can only run foglights when theres fog, what bullshit! there lucky you didnt video tape that, cause you could sue his ass for harassment !

 

No, I've heard that numerous times around here. Fog lights are only for fog.

 

I run my 3K fog lights every time it gets dark out and haven't had a problem with them yet, only problem I've had is with the exhaust being too loud.
My old Evo I'd get pulled over about once a month because I wouldn't run a front plate and for a loud exhaust.

 

Go to Singapore and then complain about MA

 

lol fog lights can only be used in fog. Tell them you want extra light on so people can see you better. Then tell them to suck a fat one

 

This. Try a "speed shop."

PS NY is the same way.

 

that's bullshit, cause about automatic lights? what your going to pull someone over and tell them lights are only for night?

 

Arent you like 16 or 17 years old? outside of the DMV and other driving related stuff how much involvement do you actually have with the government? wait till you get older, then you will really start getting angry.

Also their is absolutely no way he could sue for harassment hahaha.

 

Automatic lights only come on at night - Daytime Running Lights are perfectly legal to have on during the day.

Fog lamps vary from statte to state - it even says to check with local ordinances in your owners manual.

 

ya i lol'd at that too. My dumb ass passenger didnt hide his beer good enough! Cop saw open container under the seat looking through the open back window with a flashlight. Shot myself in the foot right there....Now i NEVER allow open containers in the car. (I was 17 when this happened i think) Open container for minor is auto matic consent to search.

 

yes I am, but here in Washington, we also have strict laws, and its a pain in the ass to do anything cause all the regulations. I went to regester my boat, and they said they need it to ''inspect it'' . What the hell for? its a 69 13ft boat, that's worth 400 500 bucks.

 

But the only reason he saw the beer was because he pulled you over for the fog lights