Exhaust ticket
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Senior User
Joined: May 2006
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From: Woodside, CA
Exhaust ticket
I got an exhaust ticket/noise pollution ticket yesterday because the cop said my truck was too loud. Its pretty dumb considering every other diesel in town is running a straight pipe. A buddy of mine said that in california the turbo is considered a muffler and if i don't have a cat i do not need one. Is there any link to back this up? Also is there anyone that makes a muffler that is basically a shell with no restriction? Has anyone had to deal with this before? I know my buddy got pulled over for when he had a stack but all he did was relocate it out the side. Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Delta Jct Alaska
I got an exhaust ticket/noise pollution ticket yesterday because the cop said my truck was too loud. Its pretty dumb considering every other diesel in town is running a straight pipe. A buddy of mine said that in california the turbo is considered a muffler and if i don't have a cat i do not need one. Is there any link to back this up? Also is there anyone that makes a muffler that is basically a shell with no restriction? Has anyone had to deal with this before? I know my buddy got pulled over for when he had a stack but all he did was relocate it out the side. Thanks.
That's one thing I like about AK. If I want, I can have headers, and nothing else. Don't even need pipes going back.. No emission laws here.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
Fight the ticket. It's a CS cite.
Make them prove it's too loud. They have to use a decible meter at a certain angle to the exhaust, at a certain distance, and the meter has to has to show above a certain level.
I know my Lightning with no cats, headers, and a Bassani muffler was too loud, but no way do I believe a 7.3L can be too loud. I've just never really heard one that was loud at all, even at the dragstrip. Now a properly modified Cummins could probably trip the meter high enough, but not a 7.3L.
As for you truck, did it come with a 4R100 or a ZF6?
4R100 = From the factory, no cats
ZF6 = From the factory, it came with cats
Taylor, check out my emissions sticker thread here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ml#post9525495
Stewart
Make them prove it's too loud. They have to use a decible meter at a certain angle to the exhaust, at a certain distance, and the meter has to has to show above a certain level.
I know my Lightning with no cats, headers, and a Bassani muffler was too loud, but no way do I believe a 7.3L can be too loud. I've just never really heard one that was loud at all, even at the dragstrip. Now a properly modified Cummins could probably trip the meter high enough, but not a 7.3L.
As for you truck, did it come with a 4R100 or a ZF6?
4R100 = From the factory, no cats
ZF6 = From the factory, it came with cats
Taylor, check out my emissions sticker thread here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ml#post9525495
Stewart
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Parker, CO
Although the law in some states may say that a turbo is a "muffler device", the issue is the fact that the truck originally came equipped with an actual muffler. The law always falls back on what it was stock. Same goes for the cat.
So if you're without a muffler at all (straight pipe only), you could fight it, but don't plan on winning. And don't plan on the turbo excuse to work either. If you do have a muffler, then by all means fight it to the death.
So if you're without a muffler at all (straight pipe only), you could fight it, but don't plan on winning. And don't plan on the turbo excuse to work either. If you do have a muffler, then by all means fight it to the death.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
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Stewarts retired PD so ill back him on saying they have to PROVE it is too loud fir them ti give you a ticket.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Morehead, Ky.
Maybe this will help.
The federal tampering prohibition is contained in section 203(a)(3) of the Clean Air Act (Act), 42 U.S.C. 7522(a)(3). Section 203(a)(3)(A) of the Act prohibits any person from removing or rendering inoperative any device or element of design installed on or in any motor vehicle in compliance with regulations under Title II of the Act (i.e., regulations requiring certification that vehicles meet federal emissions standards). The maximum civil penalty for a violation of this section by a manufacturer or dealer is $25,000; for any other person, $2,500. Accordingly, any change from the original certified configuration of a vehicle or engine, or the manufacture or sale of a non-original equipment aftermarket part or system could be considered a violation of section 203(a)(3) of the Act. This would include modifications to the fuel delivery system.
Just FYI. Jim
The federal tampering prohibition is contained in section 203(a)(3) of the Clean Air Act (Act), 42 U.S.C. 7522(a)(3). Section 203(a)(3)(A) of the Act prohibits any person from removing or rendering inoperative any device or element of design installed on or in any motor vehicle in compliance with regulations under Title II of the Act (i.e., regulations requiring certification that vehicles meet federal emissions standards). The maximum civil penalty for a violation of this section by a manufacturer or dealer is $25,000; for any other person, $2,500. Accordingly, any change from the original certified configuration of a vehicle or engine, or the manufacture or sale of a non-original equipment aftermarket part or system could be considered a violation of section 203(a)(3) of the Act. This would include modifications to the fuel delivery system.
Just FYI. Jim
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Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
By my saying for "them" to prove it, I meant for the OP to fight the ticket and make them prove that it's too loud.
As an officer, we were taught that, other than grossly overdone exhausts that are so loud that they remove all doubt, everything else should be considered borderline and used only for the purpose of initiating a traffic stop. The officer could then follow up with a cite for altering the stock emissions setup in a manner not compliant with California Vehicle Code, therby giving a "break" for the loud exhaust.
Think about it, forcing a person to put the exhaust back so it complies with CVC would also take care of the "excess" noise.
I've yet to hear a 7.3 that would fall into the grossly overdone category. Not saying they don't exist, just haven't heard one yet. Maybe I should see if I could make mine fall into that category!
I still think it's a CS cite.
Stewart
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Lancaster, MA
I had to talk my way out of one the other night. Got pulled over because I passed a cop on a two lane going up a hill. He pulled me right over and said it was because it was too loud. Looked under my truck and of course its straight piped. I told him that the state has no laws on diesel mufflers or anything like that. I was really nice to him and he was reasonable with me. He called someone and came back and said he would let me go with a warning and that "even though my truck is louder than fiver Harleys, its wicked sick"
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Senior User
Joined: May 2006
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From: Woodside, CA
Thanks for the advice. I am going to fight it and see what happens. I saw that i would have to be over 93 db for it to be to loud. Its a 4r100 and did not come with a cat from the factory so i lucked out there. What exactly is a CS cite? I know i still have to look up more information before i fight it.
It was actually chico police that wrote the ticket. He didn't say anything about smog because there wasn't any smoke.
It was actually chico police that wrote the ticket. He didn't say anything about smog because there wasn't any smoke.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
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From: Brentwood,CA
CA. V.C. 27151 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 such 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) of this chapter. No person shall operate a motor vehicle with an exhaust system so modified.
In CA the aftermarket exhaust must be CARB certified for use on your truck. Also not many shops will pass your truck when smog time comes around. Its a losing battle in this state just pay the ticket and move on. My last Noise ticket was only 120.00 including proving to the judge I had the issue fixed.
In CA the aftermarket exhaust must be CARB certified for use on your truck. Also not many shops will pass your truck when smog time comes around. Its a losing battle in this state just pay the ticket and move on. My last Noise ticket was only 120.00 including proving to the judge I had the issue fixed.