Pulled over..

[PMok]

Originally Posted by bkblitzed

just like how he quoted

27151. (a) 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 the 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). No person shall operate a motor vehicle with an
exhaust system so modified.

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.

Reason why i said "technically" is the cop is the judgement maker in whether your exhaust is "illegal" even if it's a lower db limit.

I have to disagree with your wording and your interpretation of the law.

by saying that "changing a cbe is technically illegal in california" you are essentially saying it's a no-exemption, absolute black-and-white issue under the law. But if you look at the law, it is by no means explicitly outlawing the replacement of your cat-back exhaust with another one. For further discussion of the statute, read this: http://www.bobsmuffler.com/noise.htm

If your statement were true, the following situations would mean you are running an illegal exhaust mod:
- over time your muffler/exhaust starts to rust, or is damaged in an accident. You go to a muffler shop and they replace your muffler, with a new one, but not an OEM muffler part.
- you go to the Toyota dealership and buy a Scion FR-S. The dealership has already installed a TRD cat-back exhaust system on the car, and the car is sold to you as a brand new car, with full warranty.

if you consider these situations you'll realize the idea you're proposing would make little sense. That law is not that Draconian, and you'd otherwise be saying both muffler shops and dealerships are flagrantly violating the law every single day.

I think what you're trying to say, is that although changing a CBE is technically NOT illegal, it is in many instances a subjective judgment on the part of the police officer, and despite the law not explicitly outlawing aftermarket exhausts, you can sometimes get screwed over by that subjective judgment because the very law we're discussing is worded pretty vaguely and leaves a bit of discretion to the officer. Sorry I'm not picking on you, just want to be clear what we're saying here.

[SOLDIER [X]]

Originally Posted by PMok

I have to disagree with your wording and your interpretation of the law.

by saying that "changing a cbe is technically illegal in california" you are essentially saying it's a no-exemption, absolute black-and-white issue under the law. But if you look at the law, it is by no means explicitly outlawing the replacement of your cat-back exhaust with another one. For further discussion of the statute, read this: http://www.bobsmuffler.com/noise.htm

If your statement were true, the following situations would mean you are running an illegal exhaust mod:
- over time your muffler/exhaust starts to rust, or is damaged in an accident. You go to a muffler shop and they replace your muffler, with a new one, but not an OEM muffler part.
- you go to the Toyota dealership and buy a Scion FR-S. The dealership has already installed a TRD cat-back exhaust system on the car, and the car is sold to you as a brand new car, with full warranty.

if you consider these situations you'll realize the idea you're proposing would make little sense. That law is not that Draconian, and you'd otherwise be saying both muffler shops and dealerships are flagrantly violating the law every single day.

I think what you're trying to say, is that although changing a CBE is technically NOT illegal, it is in many instances a subjective judgment on the part of the police officer, and despite the law not explicitly outlawing aftermarket exhausts, you can sometimes get screwed over by that subjective judgment because the very law we're discussing is worded pretty vaguely and leaves a bit of discretion to the officer. Sorry I'm not picking on you, just want to be clear what we're saying here.

Yup, it's about decibel level not about just having a cbe.

California law requires that all vehicles must be equipped with an adequate muffler to prevent excessive noise from the exhaust system. It also prohibits the operation of a passenger vehicle (other than a motorcycle), or a truck with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 6,000 pounds, that has an exhaust noise level greater than 95 decibels, when tested under specified conditions.

Source: http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource...evel_Cert.html

[CamryDS]

Originally Posted by bkblitzed

changing a cbe is technically illegal in california. Just swap your stock one, go get it fixed and swap it back, i dont see why you're complaining about it.

Actually any exhaust that produces a sound of louder than 95db while idle and under normal load will cause a problem. Unless the officer has a db meter, you can't really get cited.

If CBE modifying is illegal, why does toyota provide a certificate saying that the exhaust is under 95db.

http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource...evel_Cert.html

hope this helps!
(whoops someone beat me to it)