I was stopped by WSP on 167 for a modified exhaust. I told him it was the GM performance exhaust (cat back) that the dealer said was totally legal. He told me any modification to an exhast that makes it louder than stock is illegal. Then he said since I didn't have a bunch of stickers on my car, he'll let me go with a verbal warning. YAY FOR NO STICKERS!!!

 

you do have the GMPP exhaust? because to sell it GM has to have it approved to make it 50 state legal and it does go through a sound test. So yes it is legal and it is loud...hahah

 

they say in WA, its illegal to have a modified exhaust. you can take it to court and get it dropped if you ever get a ticket for it.

 

Thats because those are state / county statues that say modified exhausts are illigal. The federal law says that it is perfectly fine.... Most of the time federal law with take power over the county laws...

Same thing with pot.. but just a little different... Federal says no, but some city laws say yes...

 

the state of washington clearly states that any exhaust modified that amplifies the noise louder than stock is illegal. GM states on the exhaust with a asterick meets all emissions laws only. ive fought it already and lost.

 

Darn asterick.

 

wow, sucks for you. ive won all of my exhaust noise tickets.

 

How did you beat your ticket ss4life? And I don't have the GM Performance exhaust (I just said that to the Trooper), I have the CIA full exhaust. He heard me as I was excelerating to get on 167. I usually don't get too high in the RPMs, but I was feeling a little bit of the lead foot coming on. Lucky I saw him before I got going too fast, otherwise it would have been a speeding ticket for sure. He was pretty cool about the whole thing. He said "At least you aren't one of those Fast And Furious ricer punks with all those stickers on their cars."

I was stopped another time and told the other cop that my stock muffler had a big hole in it from hitting a big rock in the road up on Mt. Rainier. I told him my stock exhaust was louder than the new muffler I had put on. He just said "have a nice day." That's a good excuse, but I fear it won't work every time.

 

i just go to court and argue the fact that motorcycles, diesel trucks, and muscle cars are louder than my car and they dont get pulled over for it. works every time.

i got pulled over on 167 for exceeding the merging speed and got let off. i had no idea there was a merging speed.

 

My co-worker just got a "merging" ticket. I didn't know that the speed limit for on ramps was 35mph. He got a ticket for doing 50 in a 35. The cop told him that he could have waited until he hit 55 and took him to jail for doing 20 over! (wreckless driving) What an *******! I am always doing 60 by the time I actually merge. If you were doing 35 and try to merge, you are definitely going to cause an accident. Especially with the way people drive around here.

 

That is just plain stupid. I would fight that so hard. I hate it when people merge at freaking 50mph cuz it's a bitch to merge. If everyone merged at 35 traffic would be a BITCH in merging lane.

 

Yes it is very stupid, and he is going to fight it. It's just the hassle of being pulled over and then having to take a day off to go fight it and all the other B.S. that goes along with it.

 

This...GM can make the exhaust as loud as they want - local noise pollution laws mean nothing to them, only emissions. Sucks if you live in a place where they're so **** on car noise. Funny thing is, there are probably cars louder than yours on the road, but still stock and getting away with it.

And I wonder what happens if you took delivery of the car with exhaust pre-installed? Hrm...

 

Guess I'm taking my stickers off. lol

 

i would, having stickers just lets the thief know to bring a shopping cart when he goes to your car!!!

 

Actually, All my stickers are under the hood where they belong, no shopping list visible.
I think the only sticker I put on the fender of a car was a Thrush sticker on my '71 Mustang
fastback when I was in high school, and that was a while ago. I might be one of the oldest guys on here.

 

Same thing happened to me lol, i showed him some stupid paper i had the dealership make for me, Out nice and clean, and he knows i dont race or do anything stupid.

Also around here Car club stickers are Gold, i had my ECC sticker on with my balt got out of every exhaust ticket.

 

here is the biggest way to fight it....
and works
while in court..."sir, the officer did not measure the exhaust on the car with any calibrated tool did he" "no" "well then I would like the charges dropped based on lack of proof that my exhaust was modified or louder then legal limits" "can we see your car to check now? "no, i did not drive my vehichle" "ok, charges dropped"


they have to PROVE it is modified or illegal

its also not true...the speed limit on an ON RAMP is the same as the freeway, the onramp YELLOW sign simply is a suggestion, if you get in an accident due to speed over that then you can get a too fast for conditions ticket, but that speed is simply a suggestion, cop was full of **** and i would have told him that quote for quote on the side of the road, ive done it before, twice, and both tickets were dropped

 

If you do plan on fighting it maybe this will help.

WAC 173-60-040 Maximum permissible environmental noise levels.
Found at:http://www.nonoise.org/lawlib/states/wasingtn/wac.htm

Check this out:http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=173-58-080

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WACs > Title 173 > Chapter 173-58 > Section 173-58-080


173-58-070 << 173-58-080 >> 173-58-090


WAC 173-58-080 No agency filings affecting this section since 2003
Close proximity exhaust system sound level measurement procedure.

This section establishes specific procedures for the measurement of sound levels from exhaust systems at a distance of 20 inches (0.5 meter) from the exhaust outlet. The procedures of subsections (3), (4) and (5) of this section shall not be used for exhaust systems which utilize the introduction of water to the exhaust gas flow for the purpose of muffling the exhaust noise levels, or systems which exhaust the gas flow directly into water.

(1) For the purposes of this section "vehicle" means any motor driven contrivance used as a means of transportation or recreation off of public highways.

(2) Initial inspection. An initial inspection of the vehicle exhaust system shall be conducted to determine if the following defects or modifications exist:

(a) The absence of a muffler;

(b) The presence of a muffler cut-out, bypass, or similar device which is not standard or normal equipment for the exhaust system being inspected;

(c) Defects in the exhaust system including, but not limited to, pinched outlets, and holes or rusted through areas of the muffler or pipes;

(d) The presence of equipment which will produce excessive or unusual noise from the exhaust system.

If the above defects are observed and are a violation of the muffler integrity standards established for the type of vehicle which is being inspected, then a citation shall be issued in accordance with the enforcement section of the applicable regulation.

An evaluation of the vehicle sound level shall also be made by the enforcement officer, using the human ear as a sensing device.

If the exhaust noise is discernibly louder than the engine noise, or if any of the defects or modifications described above exist but are not violations of applicable regulations, the enforcement officer shall request the vehicle operator to submit the vehicle to any measurement procedures described in this chapter which are applicable to the type of vehicle being inspected. If the operator refuses to submit the vehicle to these measurement procedures, he shall be in violation of this chapter.

(3) Test site and instrumentation set up. The test site and instrumentation shall be set up as follows:

(a) The test site shall be a flat, open area free of large, sound-reflecting surfaces (other than the surface on which the vehicle is resting), such as signboards, buildings, large docks, hillsides, or other vehicles, located within a 16-foot (5-meter) radius of the vehicle being tested and the location of the microphone. The vehicle shall not be on a hoist, rack, or over a pit. Testing shall not occur within a shop or building. Nobody shall stand in the measurement area, except the observer and the vehicle operator.

(b) The microphone shall be at the same height as the center of the exhaust outlet if possible, but no closer to any surface than 8 inches (0.2 meter). The microphone shall be positioned with its longitudinal axis parallel to the ground, 20 ą 1 inches (0.5 meter) from the edge of the exhaust outlet, and 45 ą 10 degrees from the axis of the outlet. For exhaust outlets located inboard from the vehicle body, the microphone shall be located at the above specified angle and at least 8 inches (0.2 meter) from the nearest part of the vehicle.

For vehicles provided with exhaust outlets spaced more than 12 inches (0.3 meter) apart, measurements shall be made for each outlet as if it were the only one, and the highest level shall be recorded. If the exhaust outlets are less than twelve inches (0.3 meter) apart, a single measurement shall be made for any one of the outlets.

For vehicles with a vertical exhaust, the microphone shall be placed at a height of 48 ą 2 inches (1.2 meter). Its axis shall be vertical and oriented upwards. It shall be placed at a distance of 20 ą 1 inches (0.5 meter) from the side of the vehicle nearest the exhaust outlet.

For vehicles with the exhaust system outlet near the engine, the engine hood (if one exists) should be closed as much as possible to reduce engine noise.

If a measuring device is attached to the exhaust outlet and the microphone to maintain proper distance, insure that no vibrations from the vehicle shall be transmitted to the instrument.

(4) Vehicle operation. The vehicle shall be operated as follows:

(a) Controlled ignition vehicles. The engine shall be operated at a normal operating temperature with transmission in park or neutral. Sound level measurements shall be made at three-fourths (75 percent) of the RPM for rated horsepower ą 100 RPM of meter reading.

(b) Vehicles with motorcycle engines. The engine shall be operated at normal operating temperatures with the transmission in neutral. If no neutral is provided, the vehicle shall be operated either with the rear wheel or wheels 2-4 inches (5-10 centimeters) clear of the ground, or with the drive chain or belt removed. The sound level measurement shall be made with the engine speed stabilized at one of the following values:

(i) If the engine data is available, test the vehicle at one-half (50 percent) of the RPM for maximum rated horsepower ą 100 RPM.

(ii) If the engine data is not available, and if the vehicle has a tachometer showing the manufacturer's recommended maximum engine speed ("red line"), test the vehicle at 60 percent of the "red line" RPM ą 100 RPM.

(iii) If the engine data and red line RPM are not available, test the vehicle at:

(A) 3500 ą 100 RPM for engines with total cylinder displacement between 0-950 cc (0-58 in.3).

(B) 2800 RPM ą 100 RPM for engines with total cylinder displacement greater than 950 cc (58 in.3).

(c) Diesel engine vehicles. The engine shall be operated at normal operating temperatures with transmission in park or neutral. Sound level measurements shall be made at the vehicle's maximum governed no-load speed. If the engine is not provided with a governor, the vehicle shall be operated in the same manner as a vehicle with a controlled ignition.

(5) Measurement. The exhaust system sound level shall be measured as follows:

(a) The sound level meter shall be set for slow response and on the "A" weighting scale.

(b) The sound level meter shall be observed during the full cycle of engine acceleration-deceleration. The recorded sound level shall be the highest value obtained at the appropriate, constant engine speed as specified in subsection (4) of this section, and shall exclude peaks due to unrelated ambient noise, engine noise, or extraneous impulsive-type noise.

(c) At least two measurements shall be made, and the reported sound level shall be the average of the two highest readings which are within one dBA of each other.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.107 RCW. 79-04-033 (Order DE 78-19), § 173-58-080, filed 3/22/79.]



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i read them both and it does not state if it is legal to have a modified exhaust in washington, by the way where in washington do u live?

 

I live in Shoreline, I have a buddy that lives in your neck of the woods.
Section d) talks about "defective exhaust", you might have a argument there.
I'm still looking for Decibel levels in the laws. I have a lawyer frend that is
a hotrodder (has a sick 50's something 5-window Chev PU) that may know more but can't call till tomorrow.

also I don't see the word "modified" in the law. Law is "VERBATUM" If I'm missing it let me know.

Look.
http://www.washington-state-speeding...ing-fines.html
http://www.washington-state-speeding...cing-laws.html

and here is even more.
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RCWs > Title 46 > Chapter 46.37 > Section 46.37.390


46.37.380 << 46.37.390 >> 46.37.395


RCW 46.37.390
Mufflers required — Smoke and air contaminant standards — Definitions — Penalty, exception.

(1) Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and no person shall use a muffler cut-out, bypass, or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway.

(2)(a) No motor vehicle first sold and registered as a new motor vehicle on or after January 1, 1971, shall discharge into the atmosphere at elevations of less than three thousand feet any air contaminant for a period of more than ten seconds which is:

(i) As dark as or darker than the shade designated as No. 1 on the Ringelmann chart, as published by the United States bureau of mines; or

(ii) Of such opacity as to obscure an observer's view to a degree equal to or greater than does smoke described in subsection (a)(i) above.

(b) No motor vehicle first sold and registered prior to January 1, 1971, shall discharge into the atmosphere at elevations of less than three thousand feet any air contaminant for a period of more than ten seconds which is:

(i) As dark as or darker than the shade designated as No. 2 on the Ringelmann chart, as published by the United States bureau of mines; or

(ii) Of such opacity as to obscure an observer's view to a degree equal to or greater than does smoke described in subsection (b)(i) above.

(c) For the purposes of this subsection the following definitions shall apply:

(i) "Opacity" means the degree to which an emission reduces the transmission of light and obscures the view of an object in the background;

(ii) "Ringelmann chart" means the Ringelmann smoke chart with instructions for use as published by the United States bureau of mines in May 1967 and as thereafter amended, information circular 7718.

(3) No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the engine of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle, and it shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle not equipped as required by this subsection, or which has been amplified as prohibited by this subsection. A court may dismiss an infraction notice for a violation of this subsection if there is reasonable grounds to believe that the vehicle was not operated in violation of this subsection.

This subsection (3) does not apply to vehicles twenty-five or more years old or to passenger vehicles being operated off the highways in an organized racing or competitive event conducted by a recognized sanctioning body.


[2006 c 306 § 4; 2001 c 293 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 355 § 33; 1972 ex.s. c 135 § 1; 1967 c 232 § 3; 1961 c 12 § 46.37.390. Prior: 1955 c 269 § 39; prior: 1937 c 189 § 36; RRS § 6360-36; RCW 46.36.050; 1927 c 309 § 17; 1921 c 96 § 21; 1915 c 142 § 20; RRS § 6362-17.]


Notes:
Rules of court: Monetary penalty schedule -- IRLJ 6.2.

Severability -- 1977 ex.s. c 355: See note following RCW 46.37.010.


Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles -- Additional requirements and limitations: RCW 46.37.539.



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still looking for decibel levels.

found this some other forum. Still looking for the statute for WA.
Here they say it's 95DB's
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothrea...int&id=4394412

 

i only have 2 decals and they are on my quarter window...
SOCAL ECOTECS
and
COBALTSS.NET

i think these are tasteful decals....right?

 

right, there are provisions for giving a ticket, but 99% of cops wont go through this, they will say its too loud and give you a ticket, wait till court and fight it there based on this post, if they didnt follow procedure then your golden