Calibration263

I got a ticket for having a "loud muffler" a couple days ago. Specifically he gave me

27150(A): Every motor vehicle subject to registration shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise, and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.

Just to clarify, I've got a catback Exoticspeed RII titan, no other modifications whatsoever.

I've looked in to my options....
A)I could go to CHP and have them sign it off (or if they think it's too loud get silencers and go back to CHP). Then I think it'd be like 10 bucks @ the court for paperwork fee's or whatever.
B)I can get it tested at a state referee, the test is free but they charge $108 to sign off the ticket(if it passes). That'll include a certification and sticker however if I run into issues again.
C)I can try and fight it in court.

The thing is, I don't think that just an exoticspeed catback would exceed the 95dB, it should be an "adequate muffler". Also the cop was a dick... first thing he asked me when he came to the window was if it was my car, then asked me if it was under my name. (This was before asking for license and registration, where he could've gotten that info from). He even then was asking about who the other person on the registration was (my co-signer, hardly see how it maters to him).

Then when I asked him what law I was breaking he just said "you can't have a modified exhaust" or "it's too loud". I asked him to show me the law he was citing me but he just told me to look it up etc..... When I asked what "too loud" was he pointed at a Prius that was driving past and said "like that, that's not too loud".

Has anyone else dealt with this, or have any idea what I should do? Frankly I'd love to fight this in court and prove the cop wrong.... but I'm not sure what evidence I can/should provide. Furthermore I'm not sure how much it matters because of the way the law is written, it basically lets the cop decide what's adequate.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

The Extocspeed easily exceeds 95db. Sounds like the cop was being a dick, but the law is the law and at the end of the day he is just doing his job.

Calibration263

You really think it easily exceeds 95dB? I've heard stock porsches and lambos which are just as loud, if not louder.

Also, I don't know how scientific this is, but another user tested an agency power exhaust with a midpipe: https://www.rx8club.com/aftermarket-...e-dbas-169718/

And they only just hit/exceeded 95dB.

I might be wrong though.

Digger1911

What city were you in? Huntington Bch.

Exhaust Noise and the Law California USA

Calibration263

The cop who gave me the ticket was a HB cop, however I was pulled over in westminster... the citation has a HB ticket number on it though.

That document is really useful, thanks! My issue is, in the cops opinion my car:
"2) clearly emit an ... excessive noise...", but that seems extremely subjective....

Calibration263

Also about the referee center and 95dB:

"27150.2. (a) Stations providing referee functions ... shall provide for the
testing of vehicular exhaust systems and the issuance of certificates
of compliance only for those vehicles that have received a citation
for a violation of Section 27150 or 27151.
(b) A certificate of compliance for a vehicular exhaust system
shall be issued pursuant to subdivision (a) if the vehicle complies
with Sections 27150 and 27151. Exhaust systems installed on motor
vehicles, ... comply with Sections 27150
and 27151 if they emit no more than 95 dbA when tested in accordance
with Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J1169 May 1998.
"
Source: CA Codes (veh:27150-27159)

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Usually something caused you to "stick out" to warrant the attention in the first place. Even " dick" cops don't tend to just pull people over randomly

Might be a good idea to get it certified if you get noticed by the way you drive..........

Digger1911

HB.. Yep I would fight it. And I have had dealt with them at least 50
times.. I was pulled over at least once a week in 2006.

Calibration263

Dannobre, the thing that warranted "attention" may have been the exhaust, or a younger person in a "nice" car... I'd be lying if I say I don't drive fast, but that was not the case this time. In fact I saw the cop before he started following me, and made sure I was following the speed limit, signaling, etc for everything I did. (He just about tailgated me for 1.5 blocks before turning on the lights).

He didn't bother telling me what he'd pulled me over for, just asked if the car was mine, took my registration/license, mentioned the exhaust to which I replied "no it's not stock", and he then walked back to his bike and started writing the ticket.

That said the $108 to get certified, and not have to worry about this again might just be worth it...

Digger1911, what'd you do to fight the "excessive" noise charge? It's a pretty lame/vague law.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

There are some percs for being an "old guy" I get away with a lot...they pull me over expecting a 20YO...andd they see me

Calibration263

Hahaha, one day....
I had a coworker who was about 24 or 25 who bought a 2011 GT500. Pretty much got pulled over weekly. We kept telling him to get window tint. Didn't help he looks kind of sketchy to begin with.
(He since got rid of it because he was putting almost every dollar he made in to the payments, says it was totally worth it and he'd do it again though).

Digger1911

If it was me,
I would contact the manufacture of the exhaust and get all the specifications pertaining to that exhaust.
I would visit the Stereo shop on beach blvd. that has done work for me in the past, and have them stand 50 ft. away from my car with their Db tester and get a reading,
Then I would establish the fact the officer is not qualified to determine sound levels emitted from an automotive exhaust system.

This not legal advise, figure it out for yourself.
--

User24

iTrader: (1)

95dB measured at what distance? Measured from behind or off to the side? At what engine rpm? 3/4 of maximum hp rpm, mic placed 20 inches from tip, 45 degrees, no less than 8 inches from ground? There are more specifics to it.

Calibration263

I believe the SAE J1169 standard is as follows:
"a sound meter is placed 20 inches from the exhaust outlet at a 45-degree angle and the engine is revved to three quarters of maximum engine speed"

Calibration263

So I had my car tested at a referee center. According to their test based on the SAE J1169 standard, it passed. 86.6 & 89.7 @ 5400rpm.

Apparently however the certificate is just a certificate saying that it is legal at the time of testing.... APPARENTLY any time other than an hour ago it's up to the cop if I'm breaking the law or not.

If my car is TRULY too loud that's fine, I will happily change it to be legal.... but what happened to "innocent till proven guilty". I proved the system I have is legal by a state created test.... but it doesn't mean anything after today?

I have yet to contact the court, but I believe that there is still a ~$180 fine for 27150.

pksan123

iTrader: (2)

just put the stock back on, get it signed off, and pay $25 court fees