"Improper Exhaust" on Hybrid? in VA LS1 E36
03-11-2008, 11:11 AM
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"Improper Exhaust" on Hybrid? in VA LS1 E36 On a trip to DC and back (8 hr round trip) this weekend I was pulled over and told I had "improper Exhaust" on my Ls1 powered E36. I have a Magnaflow AND a spintech in line. The car is not loud. Yah it sounds DIFFERENT but not loud. Anyone else have this trouble? It seems total crap to me.
The officer kept asking about the brand of muffler where I bought it and how long I had it. I didn't see how any of that was relevant. It is either with the legal limit or not? Am I wrong? I didn't feel the need to bring up the fact the motor wasn't a BMW as I didn't think that would help. However the car was idling and it is very obvious that it is a V-8 from the deep rumble.
I've been driving it since october locally. I've driven past MANY police and never had anyone stop me and say anything.
Seriously though I don't want to be pulled over on every trip. Suggestions? I'm thinking spray painting the muffler black. not sure how much it was he heard it vs he saw it. (picture attached)
The officer kept asking about the brand of muffler where I bought it and how long I had it. I didn't see how any of that was relevant. It is either with the legal limit or not? Am I wrong? I didn't feel the need to bring up the fact the motor wasn't a BMW as I didn't think that would help. However the car was idling and it is very obvious that it is a V-8 from the deep rumble.
I've been driving it since october locally. I've driven past MANY police and never had anyone stop me and say anything.
Seriously though I don't want to be pulled over on every trip. Suggestions? I'm thinking spray painting the muffler black. not sure how much it was he heard it vs he saw it. (picture attached)
03-11-2008, 11:16 AM
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This is the section I was sited for;
§ 46.2-1049. Exhaust system in good working order.
No person shall drive and no owner of a vehicle shall permit or allow the operation of any such vehicle on a highway unless it is equipped with an exhaust system in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual levels of noise; provided however, that for motor vehicles, such exhaust system shall be of a type installed as standard factory equipment, or comparable to that designed for use on the particular vehicle as standard factory equipment. An exhaust system shall not be deemed to prevent excessive or unusual noise if it permits the escape of noise in excess of that permitted by the standard factory equipment exhaust system of private passenger motor vehicles or trucks of standard make.
The term "exhaust system," as used in this section, means all the parts of a vehicle through which the exhaust passes after leaving the engine block, including mufflers and other sound dissipative devices.
Chambered pipes are not an effective muffling device to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and any vehicle equipped with chambered pipes shall be deemed in violation of this section.
(Code 1950, § 46-305; 1952, c. 455; 1956, c. 651; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-301; 1960, c. 120; 1970, c. 266; 1972, c. 66; 1989, c. 727; 2006, cc. 529, 538.)
So what does all that mean? I have to be as quiet as a BMW? Comaparable? Standard make? Seems vague to me.
§ 46.2-1049. Exhaust system in good working order.
No person shall drive and no owner of a vehicle shall permit or allow the operation of any such vehicle on a highway unless it is equipped with an exhaust system in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual levels of noise; provided however, that for motor vehicles, such exhaust system shall be of a type installed as standard factory equipment, or comparable to that designed for use on the particular vehicle as standard factory equipment. An exhaust system shall not be deemed to prevent excessive or unusual noise if it permits the escape of noise in excess of that permitted by the standard factory equipment exhaust system of private passenger motor vehicles or trucks of standard make.
The term "exhaust system," as used in this section, means all the parts of a vehicle through which the exhaust passes after leaving the engine block, including mufflers and other sound dissipative devices.
Chambered pipes are not an effective muffling device to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and any vehicle equipped with chambered pipes shall be deemed in violation of this section.
(Code 1950, § 46-305; 1952, c. 455; 1956, c. 651; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-301; 1960, c. 120; 1970, c. 266; 1972, c. 66; 1989, c. 727; 2006, cc. 529, 538.)
So what does all that mean? I have to be as quiet as a BMW? Comaparable? Standard make? Seems vague to me.
03-11-2008, 11:21 AM
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Yah they do. The car was LOUDER when I took it for inspection. I added the magnaflow after inspection. I pointed to the sticker and complained it passed inspection. I got the same response as when was pulled over for no front plate on my Rx-7 and did the same thing. "that's not part of saftey inspection"
Blah.
Last edited by Thaniel; 03-11-2008 at 11:30 AM.
03-11-2008, 11:26 AM
#5
The cop just wanted to hear the sweet sound upclose and needed a BS reason to stop you. 
Its very obvious that its not the stock exhaust and pobably the reason it attracted the cop as you mentioned. Maybe in addition to painting it you could move the muffler a little back and up (tuck it up out the way)if theres space.
Its very obvious that its not the stock exhaust and pobably the reason it attracted the cop as you mentioned. Maybe in addition to painting it you could move the muffler a little back and up (tuck it up out the way)if theres space.
03-15-2008, 05:20 AM
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Thaniel,
Paint the muffler black with barbecue paint. You might consider trying to raise it maybe an inch or so. That way it doesn't stick out so much. How about a valance under the bumper?
Nice ride!
Paint the muffler black with barbecue paint. You might consider trying to raise it maybe an inch or so. That way it doesn't stick out so much. How about a valance under the bumper?
Nice ride!
03-15-2008, 07:20 AM
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This is the section I was sited for;
§ 46.2-1049. Exhaust system in good working order.
No person shall drive and no owner of a vehicle shall permit or allow the operation of any such vehicle on a highway unless it is equipped with an exhaust system in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual levels of noise; provided however, that for motor vehicles, such exhaust system shall be of a type installed as standard factory equipment, or comparable to that designed for use on the particular vehicle as standard factory equipment. An exhaust system shall not be deemed to prevent excessive or unusual noise if it permits the escape of noise in excess of that permitted by the standard factory equipment exhaust system of private passenger motor vehicles or trucks of standard make.
The term "exhaust system," as used in this section, means all the parts of a vehicle through which the exhaust passes after leaving the engine block, including mufflers and other sound dissipative devices.
Chambered pipes are not an effective muffling device to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and any vehicle equipped with chambered pipes shall be deemed in violation of this section.
(Code 1950, § 46-305; 1952, c. 455; 1956, c. 651; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-301; 1960, c. 120; 1970, c. 266; 1972, c. 66; 1989, c. 727; 2006, cc. 529, 538.)
So what does all that mean? I have to be as quiet as a BMW? Comaparable? Standard make? Seems vague to me.
§ 46.2-1049. Exhaust system in good working order.
No person shall drive and no owner of a vehicle shall permit or allow the operation of any such vehicle on a highway unless it is equipped with an exhaust system in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual levels of noise; provided however, that for motor vehicles, such exhaust system shall be of a type installed as standard factory equipment, or comparable to that designed for use on the particular vehicle as standard factory equipment. An exhaust system shall not be deemed to prevent excessive or unusual noise if it permits the escape of noise in excess of that permitted by the standard factory equipment exhaust system of private passenger motor vehicles or trucks of standard make.
The term "exhaust system," as used in this section, means all the parts of a vehicle through which the exhaust passes after leaving the engine block, including mufflers and other sound dissipative devices.
Chambered pipes are not an effective muffling device to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and any vehicle equipped with chambered pipes shall be deemed in violation of this section.
(Code 1950, § 46-305; 1952, c. 455; 1956, c. 651; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-301; 1960, c. 120; 1970, c. 266; 1972, c. 66; 1989, c. 727; 2006, cc. 529, 538.)
So what does all that mean? I have to be as quiet as a BMW? Comaparable? Standard make? Seems vague to me.
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03-15-2008, 10:32 AM
#10
Virginia...........Home of the $3,000 traffic ticket.
Civil charges will range from $750 to $3,000 and be added to existing fines and court costs. The civil penalty for going 20 mph over the speed limit will be $1,050, plus $61 in court costs and a fine that is typically about $200.
Civil charges will range from $750 to $3,000 and be added to existing fines and court costs. The civil penalty for going 20 mph over the speed limit will be $1,050, plus $61 in court costs and a fine that is typically about $200.
03-15-2008, 06:30 PM
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Virginia...........Home of the $3,000 traffic ticket.
Civil charges will range from $750 to $3,000 and be added to existing fines and court costs. The civil penalty for going 20 mph over the speed limit will be $1,050, plus $61 in court costs and a fine that is typically about $200.
Civil charges will range from $750 to $3,000 and be added to existing fines and court costs. The civil penalty for going 20 mph over the speed limit will be $1,050, plus $61 in court costs and a fine that is typically about $200.
VA will give it to you with no lube 
03-16-2008, 04:11 PM
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I tell you I never expected to get ticketed just crusing down the freeway with this car. Doing a full throttle run from a stop light. I could see that attracting some attention. The whole idea of a sleeper is to NOT get unwanted attention. Guess I've got to work on the sleeper thing some more.
For now I'll slap some black spray paint on it and get the bumper finish trim so it doesn't stick out. Then I can decide what to do to hide the sound (without loosing performance).
06-16-2009, 11:50 AM
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Stopped again Thought I'd add here that the only thing I did to my exhaust was paint the muffler black. However, I was stopped again the other day but for a BURNT OUT TAIL LIGHT. Didn't even get a ticket for the tail light. No mention of the exhaust. Not one word. That first ticket was such a crock as the car is not loud.
Thaniel.
Thaniel.
06-17-2009, 03:39 PM
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******* ***. EDIT: due to unnecessary language, please try to be somewhat tactful
i drove with leaky *** true duals with borla xr1s for over a year. granted, its az vs va, but still.
he just wanted to be a dick.
i drove with leaky *** true duals with borla xr1s for over a year. granted, its az vs va, but still.
he just wanted to be a dick.
Last edited by G-Body; 06-22-2009 at 01:21 AM. Reason: Improper language
06-17-2009, 06:32 PM
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§ 46.2-1049. Exhaust system in good working order.
An exhaust system shall not be deemed to prevent excessive or unusual noise if it permits the escape of noise in excess of that permitted by the standard factory equipment exhaust system of private passenger motor vehicles or trucks of standard make.
Chambered pipes are not an effective muffling device to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and any vehicle equipped with chambered pipes shall be deemed in violation of this section.
WTF you going to do when your driving a Stock 69 Camaro that has chambered pipes.
