Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Side Exhaust Legal?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 8, 2004 | 09:28 AM
  #1  
GuitsBoy's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,249
Likes: 3
From: Long Island, NY
Default Side Exhaust Legal?

I live in New York state. Does anyone know if side pipes are legal here? I know some must be because I see Ford Lightnings and some cobras with the side exhaust. Im wondering if they are only legal if they come from the factory.

Does anyone have any info on any laws pertinent to side pipes?

Thanks,
-Tony
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2004 | 11:29 AM
  #2  
GM Muscle's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,878
Likes: 0
From: Laconia, NH
Default

Not sure about NY but, here in NH we have a law that specificly says that all cars must have a rear exiting exhaust. Trucks are allowed to have their exhaust dump anywhere after the cab. If a car comes with a factory side exaust I asume it's excluded from the law. I believe most states simply say that your exhaust must retain the facotry lay out, appearance, and sound.
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2004 | 12:29 PM
  #3  
slik98z's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 0
From: Northern Va
Default

those cars are considered specialty cars. If im not mistaken i believe ford actually set out to get some states to allow it, however here in Virginia, all i see is SVT lightnings with rear exit exhaust. Personally, i did a rear exit on my car, I love it. But i got long tubes so im returning to the rear exit, just for teh sole purpose of not taunting the local law enforcement.

Do what you want with your exhaust, paying the Improper exhaust fine (usually 45-80 bucks) id consider just part of getting the sound and look you want. but usually cops look for two things...a muffler and catalytic convertors, if they pull you over. atleast thats the info i gathered from va state cops who are probably second worse only behind california's law enforcement
hope that helped some
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2004 | 02:53 PM
  #4  
THECowboy's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: NJ(Born in Texas)
Default

New Jersey cops are a$$holes, although i ve been pulled over for speeding and was in an accident(my fault, rotors were shot and leaked hydraulic fluid in my '89 Maxima and i slid into this guy) and didnt get a ticket, but my friends, fellow students, family and nieghbors have been pulled over the cops are a$$holes
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2004 | 04:28 PM
  #5  
blk~2000~Z28's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
From: Marysville, OH
Default

I believe the law here is that the exhaust must exit the vehicle behind any passenger compartment. So if the exhaust exits on the side close to the rear wheels I would think that would be ok, as long as it has "mufflers and cats" as well.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2004 | 04:55 PM
  #6  
kenkaru's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Mannheim, Germany
Default

Exit the vehicle behind the rear axle is typically what they're lookin for on cars.
Reply
Old May 27, 2011 | 11:05 PM
  #7  
weaponX's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default

so what you are saying is any vehicle that doesn't come stock side pipes is illegal?
Reply
Old May 28, 2011 | 12:23 AM
  #8  
DWake's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: NC
Default

Tons of cops around my area but I believe most appreciate muscle cars. From what you guys are saying my dumped bullet is illegal but no cops have hassled me.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 28, 2011 | 12:39 AM
  #9  
sixvi6-camaro's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg, IL
Default

I believe generally the law is it has to exit after the passenger compartment. trucks such as the ford lightning have the exhaust exiting after the cab.. bed is not part part of the passenger compartment. for the f-cars though technically the passenger cab continues all the way to the very back as its all one airspace so the exhaust to be legal has to exit there as well but... cops generally won't care. Now if you have to pass inspection... that might be different story.
Reply
Old May 28, 2011 | 07:46 AM
  #10  
weaponX's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by sixvi6-camaro
I believe generally the law is it has to exit after the passenger compartment. trucks such as the ford lightning have the exhaust exiting after the cab.. bed is not part part of the passenger compartment. for the f-cars though technically the passenger cab continues all the way to the very back as its all one airspace so the exhaust to be legal has to exit there as well but... cops generally won't care. Now if you have to pass inspection... that might be different story.
so even if its right before the rear wheel on a 4 door sedan? because i know it might sound like crap but i really want side exit pipes (really just pipe because it's a 4cylinder) on my saturn.
Reply
Old May 28, 2011 | 11:45 AM
  #11  
weaponX's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default

i think imma do side pipe any way because i never seen it done before on a saturn and i'll talk to some mechanics to see if i'll pass inspection. hope it sounds sick too.
Reply
Old May 28, 2011 | 12:54 PM
  #12  
weaponX's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default

i was looking for a muffler so i can do my side exit pipe and i like the flow master outlaw mufflers. but my question is i have a four cylinder car and i am afraid it will sound horrible and if it would cause me to get tons of tickets from those bored cops? is some one able to give me some advise?
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:59 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE